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Travel Guidance for COVID-19
CDC Travel Guidance Within the United StatesAnyone who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can travel within the United States without needing a COVID-19 test result or to self-quarantine after travel. We must all still take precautions while traveling, including wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, socially distancing, and washing hands frequently.CDC Order Requiring Testing Before International TravelTo reduce introduction and spread of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, CDC issued an Order effective January 26, 2021. It requires all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested for COVID-19 infection no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. For more information on this testing requirement, select the tab below. |
Know when to delay your travel
Travelers with a known exposure to COVID-19 should delay travel, quarantine themselves from other people, get tested, and monitor their health.
Check travel restrictions at your destination
State, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place, including testing requirements, stay-at-home orders, and quarantine requirements upon arrival. To help slow the spread of COVID-19, it is important that you follow these travel restrictions.
For up-to-date information and travel guidance, check the state, territorial, tribal and local health department where you are, along your route, and where you are going. Prepare to be flexible during your trip as restrictions and policies may change during your travel.
| Travel can increase your chances of getting COVID-19. Staying home is still the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19. Stay home if you are sick or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 within the past 14 days. For more information on traveling review the CDC’s travel guidance. |
Domestic Travel Guidance
Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19. CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated. All travelers should follow CDC recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
In order to be considered fully vaccinated before traveling for the holidays, people should get their first dose of vaccine by the following dates:
- Thanksgiving (Nov. 25): Moderna by Oct. 14, Pfizer by Oct. 21, Johnson & Johnson by Nov. 11
- Hanukkah (starts Nov. 28): Moderna by Oct. 17, Pfizer by Oct. 24, Johnson & Johnson by Nov. 14
- Christmas (Dec. 25): Moderna by Nov. 13, Pfizer by Nov. 20, Johnson & Johnson by Dec. 11
Check to see if there are a lot of COVID-19 cases at your destination.
The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get infected during your travels.
Are you or someone you live with at a higher risk for COVID-19?
If you become infected while traveling, you may become very sick while you are traveling. You can also spread the virus to your loved ones when you get home.
Check to see if your destination has local requirements or restrictions for travelers.
Some places have requirements for travelers, like quarantining for 14 days after you travel. Check state, territorial, tribal, and local public health websites for information before you travel.
If you are traveling by air, make sure you social distance from others in the terminal or on the trains to different terminals.
Domestic Travel Recommendations and Requirements
| Recommendations and Requirements | Not Vaccinated | Vaccinated |
|---|---|---|
| Get tested 1-3 days before travel | Yes | No |
| Get tested 3-5 days after travel and self-quarantine for 7 days. Self quarantine for 10 days if you don't get tested. | Yes | No |
| Self-monitor for symptoms | Yes | Yes |
| Wear a mask and take precautions during travel | Yes | Yes |
Follow these COVID-19 safety measures for public transportation:
- Avoid touching surfaces and your face
- Wear a mask
- Practice social distancing
- Increase ventilation if possible
- Practice hand hygiene by washing your hands or using hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol after you arrive at your destination
International Travel Guidance
CDC recommends people do not travel internationally until they are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.
Plan Ahead
Local policies at your destination may require you to be tested for COVID-19 before you are allowed to enter the country. If you test positive on arrival, you may be required to isolate for a certain amount of time. This may even prevent you from returning to the U.S. as scheduled. Learn more about your travel destination requirements and restrictions, such as mandatory testing or quarantine from the U.S. Department of State.
Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19. However, international travel increases risk to fully vaccinated people for getting and spreading new COVID-19 variants.
The CDC requires the following of all fully vaccinated passengers traveling internationally:
- Continue to follow CDC COVID-19 recommendations for traveling safely.
- You do not need a COVID-19 test before leaving the United States unless your destination requires it.
- You must have a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding a flight to the United states.
Returning From Your Travels
The CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people after international travel:
- You do not need to self-quarantine after returning to the United States unless it is required by a state or local jurisdiction.
- Get tested 3-5 days after returning from international travel.
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms
- Always follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel.
Recommendations for Unvaccinated or Not Fully Vaccinated People
The CDC requires passengers traveling internationally to get tested no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the United States.
- Get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before you depart and again 1-3 days before you return.
- Make sure you get your test results before you travel. If you are waiting for results, delay your travel.
- Do not travel if your test result is positive; immediately isolate yourself, and follow public health recommendations.
- A negative test does not mean that you were not exposed or that you will not develop COVID-19. Make sure to wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash your hands, and watch your health for signs of illness while traveling.
- Keep a copy of your test results with you during travel. You may be asked for them.
Returning From Your Travels
The CDC guidance for after you travel internationally and are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.
- Get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home to self-quarantine for 7 days after travel.
- Even if you test negative, stay home to self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
- If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
- If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home to self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
- Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
- Always follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel.
International Travel Recommendations and Requirements
| Recommendations and Requirements | Not Vaccinated | Vaccinated |
|---|---|---|
| Get tested 1-3 days before traveling out of the United States | Yes | No |
| Mandatory test required before flying to the United States | Yes | Yes |
| Get tested 3-5 days after travel | Yes | Yes |
| Self-quarantine after travel for 7 days with a negative test or 10 days without a test | Yes | No |
| Self-monitor for symptoms | Yes | Yes |
| Wear a mask and take precautions during travel | Yes | Yes |
If you are planning on visiting Colorado
We ask all visitors to respect the wishes, public health guidelines, and capacity of our local destinations. Keep in mind that guidance may vary county-by-county, so it’s important to plan ahead, be prepared, and be flexible. If you do not feel well, you can get tested for COVID-19 at one of our free community testing sites.
Statewide Requirements
Colorado has a statewide mask order in place and can vary by county and local public health agency regulations. Learn more about the mask order by reading the frequently asked questions.
If you are planning to go camping, backpacking, or have a picnic, learn about Colorado’s fire ban. You can learn more in the Frequently Asked Questions.
Learn more about What’s Open in Colorado and enjoy your time here while staying safe.
Be Safe When You Arrive at Your Destination and Return Back Home
Regardless of where you traveled or what you did during your trip, take these actions to protect others from getting sick after you return:
- When around others, practice social distancing from people who are not from your household. It is important to do this everywhere, both indoors and outdoors.
- Wear a mask or a cloth face covering.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
- Monitor your health and look for symptoms of COVID-19. Take your temperature if you feel sick.
- If you are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated get tested 3-5 days after travel and self-quarantine for 7 days. Self-quarantine for 10 days if you don't get tested.