Travelers

COVID-19 is still spreading within Virginia, across the United States (U.S.), and in other countries. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) urges Virginians who are not fully vaccinated to avoid travel, especially if they are at higher risk of serious COVID-19 or if they will be visiting someone at higher risk of serious COVID-19. Travelers who are fully vaccinated are less likely to get or spread COVID-19 while traveling, but international travelers should still follow additional precautions listed below. All travelers should consider the risks for getting or spreading COVID-19 and follow recommendations and requirements at their destination.

Travel-related requirements in Virginia

As of June 15, 2021:

  • With specific exceptions, several presidential proclamations prohibit the entry into the U.S. of foreign nationals who have been in any of the following countries during the past 14 days: 
  • VDH strongly recommends that travelers who are not fully vaccinated quarantine (stay home) after domestic or international travel. 
  • All travelers aged 2 years and older are required to wear face masks while on public transportation in the U.S., including Virginia (e.g., planes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, rideshares) and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs, such as airports, bus and train stations. 
    • Travelers are not required to wear masks in outdoor areas of a transportation conveyance or transportation hub, but masks are still recommended in these areas for travelers who are not fully vaccinated. This requirement applies to passengers, transportation operators (e.g., crew, drivers, conductors, and other workers involved in public transportation), and operators of transportation hubs. 
  • In Virginia, fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks in most indoor and outdoor settings but can continue to wear masks if they choose to. Any person aged 2 years or older and not fully vaccinated should continue to wear a mask in most indoor and outdoor settings as recommended by CDC. 
  • Regardless of vaccination status, individuals are required to wear masks on public transit and in K-12 indoor school settings. Private businesses or organizations may also choose to continue to require masks for all patrons. Everyone aged 2 and older should continue wearing masks in healthcare settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and child care settings. Visit VDH’s mask website for more information.
  • Effective January 26, 2021, there are testing requirements for certain travelers arriving in the U.S. (including Virginia) from another country by airplane. The U.S. requires all air passengers arriving from a foreign country to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen test) conducted within 3 days before departure. People who have had a positive viral test in the past 3 months and who met the criteria to end isolation may travel with documentation of the positive viral test result and a letter from their healthcare provider or a public health official that states they have been cleared for travel. This testing requirement applies to all air passengers, 2 years of age or older, traveling into the U.S., including U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. It also applies to people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Recommendations for fully vaccinated travelers

People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to get and spread COVID-19. VDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all people delay traveling domestically or internationally until they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized vaccine (such as Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines) or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization. 

Fully vaccinated means 2 weeks or more have passed since getting the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (such as Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines), or 2 weeks or more have passed since getting 1 dose of a single-dose vaccine (such as Johnson & Johnson vaccine). Anyone with a condition that weakens their immune system should talk with their healthcare provider about their need to take additional protective measures, even if they are fully vaccinated.

Information for domestic travelers

  • You can travel safely within the U.S. 
  • You do not need to get tested before or after travel, and you do not need to stay home (quarantine) after travel.

Information for international travelers

  • All air passengers entering the U.S., including fully vaccinated people, must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen test) conducted within the 3 days before departure or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 3 months. 
  • You should get tested 3-5 days after travel, as international travel poses additional risks. 
  • You do not need to stay home (quarantine) after arriving in the U.S.

All fully vaccinated travelers should follow these recommendations and requirements for traveling safely:  

  • Before travel, make sure you understand your destination’s requirements for travelers related to masking, testing, and quarantine. You only need to get tested before travel if it is required by your destination. For international travel, information about requirements for your destination may be available from the Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health, or the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information webpage.
  • During travel, follow U.S. state and local or international recommendations and requirements, including those for masking and physical distancing. 
  • Wear a mask that covers both your mouth and nose when waiting for, traveling on, or departing from public transportation within, into or out of the United States. Travelers are not required to wear masks in outdoor areas of a transportation conveyance or transportation hubs in the U.S. 
  • Monitor yourself for symptoms for 14 days after you travel. Isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms of COVID-19.

Recommendations for travelers who are not fully vaccinated

Delay travel until you are fully vaccinated. After receiving your final dose of vaccine, wait for 2 weeks before traveling because it takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel either in the U.S. or internationally, follow the recommendations provided below. 

Before travel:

  • Get a COVID-19 viral test (e.g., PCR or antigen test) 1-3 days before traveling. Testing does not eliminate all risk, but it can help make travel safer. 
  • Do not travel if you are ill, if your PCR or antigen test result is positive, if you are waiting for your test result, or if you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
  • Determine if COVID-19 is spreading at or near your destination. Check here for U.S. states or counties. Look at the cases in the area in the last seven days.
  • Consider getting travel insurance in case you need to cancel your trip due to illness.

During travel:

  • Wear a mask covering both your mouth and nose in most public settings, including public transportation. It is recommended, but not required, that travelers who are not fully vaccinated wear masks in outdoor areas of a transportation conveyance or transportation hubs in the U.S.
  • Avoid crowds and close contact by staying at least 6 feet (about two arms’ length) from anyone who is not traveling with you. 
  • Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 
  • Follow U.S. state and local or international recommendations or requirements for masking, physical distancing, and testing. For international travel, information about requirements for your destination may be available from the Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health, or the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information webpage.
  • Make sure you know where and how you can get medical care if needed at your destination.
  • If you know that you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, stay home (quarantine) and postpone further travel. You and your travel companions (including children) pose a risk to your family, friends, and community for 14 days after you were exposed to the virus.

Important reminder for international travelers: All air passengers entering the U.S. are required to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen test) conducted within the 3 days before departure or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 3 months.

After travel:

Considerations for people who recently recovered from COVID-19

Travelers who have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 3 months do not need to get tested for COVID-19 or quarantine after travel. Testing is not recommended for people who have had COVID-19 in the last 3 months unless they have symptoms. In order to meet CDC’s requirements for travelers flying into the United States, international travelers may show documentation of recovery to the airline instead of getting tested 1-3 days before travel. 

People returning to Virginia after international travel

If you are arriving in Virginia after international travel, VDH will call you to check in on your health and provide information about staying safe after travel. Expect to receive a call with the Caller ID “VDH” or “VA Dept Health”. It is important that you answer this call to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Health department staff will ask you about potential exposures, any symptoms you may have, and your vaccination status. They will provide you with recommendations and resources for testing, quarantining (staying home), and other precautions based on your answers. VDH will also ask to set up daily check-ins by email, text, or phone call to monitor your health for 14 days after international travel. Any information you share with health department staff will remain confidential to protect and respect your privacy.

Quick references for travel recommendations and requirements

If you start to feel sick before, during, or after travel, isolate yourself. 

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. This applies to all travelers, even if you are fully vaccinated. If you are traveling when you get sick, do not travel until it is safe for you to be around others. This includes your return trip home.

You should also get tested for COVID-19. To find a testing location near you, contact a healthcare provider or visit Virginia COVID-19 Testing Sites or the local health department website in the area where you are traveling. Learn more about what to do if you feel sick here.

Higher risk activities

Some situations can increase your risk of exposure to COVID-19. All travelers should avoid:

  • Travel to a country or U.S. territory with a Level 4 or Level unknown Travel Health Notice. 
  • Traveling on a cruise ship or river boat. 

Travelers who are not fully vaccinated should also avoid: 

  • Traveling to a country with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice. Any unvaccinated travelers at increased risk for severe illness should also avoid countries with Level 2 Travel Health Notices. 
  • Being in an area that is experiencing high levels of COVID-19 spread. You can check the levels for places you traveled, including countries as well as U.S. states, territories, counties, and cities.
  • Going to a large social gathering like a wedding, funeral, or party.
  • Attending a mass gathering like a sporting event, concert, or parade.
  • Being in crowds — for example, in restaurants, bars, airports, bus or train stations, or movie theaters.

For more information:

 

Page Last Updated: June 17, 2021