Travelers

COVID-19 is spreading within communities across Virginia and across the United States. Because travel increases your chances of getting infected and spreading COVID-19, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick. VDH advises all Virginians to stay home as much as possible, especially if your trip is not essential or if you are at higher risk of serious illness. Do not travel if you are sick and do not travel with someone else who is sick. Do your part to stop the spread by taking everyday steps to keep yourself and others safe and healthy. Keep at least 6 feet apart between yourself and others. Wear a cloth face covering in public places. Wash your hands often, stay home if you are sick, and disinfect high-touch surfaces. These all are very important ways to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.    Check out VDH's Prevention Tips to learn more.

Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. We don’t know if one type of travel is safer than others; however, airports, bus stations, train stations, and rest stops are all places travelers can be exposed to the virus in the air and on surfaces. These are also places where it can be hard to social distance (keep 6 feet apart from other people). Consider various risks for getting or spreading COVID-19, depending on how you travel.

Plan ahead to stay safe on your trip.  

  • Pack plenty of hand sanitizer and keep it within reach in case you don’t always have a chance to wash your hands.  
  • Bring disposable or extra cloth face coverings in case yours become dirty and you won’t have a chance to do laundry.
  •  Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip. 
  • Prepare food and water for your trip. 
  • Pack non-perishable food in case restaurants and stores are closed.

Virginia currently does not have any quarantine requirements upon arrival from travel within the US. You should check with the state or local health department where you are, along your route, and where you will be visiting to get the most up to date information, in case there are new travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders or quarantine requirements upon arrival, or even state border closures. Plan to keep checking for updates as you travel. 

There is widespread, ongoing transmission of COVID-19 worldwide. If you traveled internationally, or on a cruise ship or river boat, you may be at a higher risk of getting sick. Self-quarantine for 14 days from the time you returned home and monitor your health.   

To monitor your health, take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day (once in the morning, once at night) and check for fever. Also, watch for cough or trouble breathing. You can download VDH’s Daily Symptom Monitoring Log to help keep track of your symptoms.

Self-quarantine means you need to stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school. Do not take public transportation such as buses, trains, taxis, or ride-shares, if possible. If necessary, your local health department can ensure that your basic needs (for example, food and medication) are being met.

If you start to feel sick, isolate yourself at home. The most common signs or symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other common symptoms include chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell. Not everyone with COVID-19 will have all symptoms and fever might not be present.  If you have symptoms and want to be tested, please contact your healthcare provider. Your provider may collect samples to test you or help you to find sampling sites in your area. Learn more about what to do if you feel sick.

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Page Last Reviewed: July 21, 2020