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Updated 16 July 2021
With vaccine drives ramping up in the US, Americans are looking forward to travelling for the summer once more. Domestic travel in the US has picked up significantly with nearly all states dropping their travel restrictions. The remaining interstate travel restrictions and rules are generally less stringent.
However, international travel may not yet be a viable option for some Americans as many destinations still require proof of vaccination and the country’s population is not yet fully vaccinated.
Conversely, the US is still inaccessible for some international travellers depending on their country of origin regardless of their vaccination status. On that note, we take a look at the latest US vaccine requirements and restrictions.
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Vaccination requirements and restrictions for domestic travel
There are no vaccination requirements for residents looking to travel domestically. Except for the following states, there are no statewide restrictions in place for domestic travellers.
California
Apart from the state’s restrictions on large events and gatherings (10,000 outdoors and 5,000 indoors), California is fully open to visitors.
Connecticut
Connecticut recommends but does not requires non-vaccinated visitors to take a COVID test and self-isolate upon arrival.
Hawaii
Non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers require a negative COVID test result to enter. The state will drop its travel restrictions when a 70 percent vaccination rate has been achieved.
Illinois
There are no statewide travel restrictions in Illinois. However, the city of Chicago has a separate system that requires COVID testing or quarantine if the visitor comes from a state with a significant infection rate. But as of 6 July, no states were at the threshold to require a test or quarantine.
Kansas
For the most part, Kansas is open. Kansas does have specific quarantine requirements based on previous travel destinations and when travellers went there, subject to frequent change. More details here.
Kentucky
Unless fully vaccinated, travellers are discouraged to visit the state on non-essential trips. However, Kentucky has no official travel restrictions.
Maine
Travelers must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival and fill out a travel protocol form if arriving from a nonexempt state. But as of 6 July, all states were exempt. More details here.
Massachusetts
Unless fully vaccinated, travellers are discouraged to visit the state on non-essential trips. However, Massachusetts has no official travel restrictions.
New Hampshire
Domestic travellers no longer need to quarantine or take a COVID test to travel to New Hampshire, but are still recommended to get tested three to five days after arrival. However, travellers who have had traveled internationally within 10 days of arriving in New Hampshire or have been on a cruise ship do need to follow testing and quarantine protocols unless they meet certain exceptions. More details here.
New Mexico
Travellers arriving from out-of-state are recommended but not required to self-quarantine for 10 days and get a COVID test.
New York
As of 25 June, the state of New York has dropped all travel restrictions. More details here.
Rhode Island
Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to quarantine if 14 days have elapsed since the administering of their second dose, and they do not exhibit any symptoms.
Unvaccinated domestic travelers must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival or show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival if coming from a state considered a “hot spot.”
Unvaccinated international travelers must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. Quarantine time can be shortened to seven days if the traveller receives a negative COVID test at least five days after arrival.
More details here.
Washington DC
Travelers who aren’t fully vaccinated and coming from a high-risk area or those staying more than a day are still asked to take a COVID test. You can find the list here as well as updates and important details.
Vaccination requirements for international travel
The US government does not require Americans to get vaccinated prior to travelling internationally. However, vaccination may be required by the destination country.
Returning Americans and other international arrivals regardless of their vaccination status are required to present a negative test result upon entry.
Countries banned by the USA
Keep in mind that non-American travellers departing from the following countries will not be granted entry.
- China
- Iran
- European Schengen area (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City)
- United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
- Republic of Ireland
- Brazil
- South Africa
- India
The above restrictions do not apply to citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States, certain family members, and other individuals who meet specified exceptions.
Quarantine measures for travellers to the USA
As per CDC’s latest update, vaccinated travelers and returning Americans are not required to quarantine on coming to the USA. CDC also states “that every state is different, and that people are encouraged to look into their local state mandates and laws before travelling”.
However, it is recommended that you get tested and stay home, and isolate after travel.
After-travel information for unvaccinated people
- Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
- Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
- If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
- If you don’t want to get tested, stay home and 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.
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. Isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
After travel information for fully vaccinated people
- Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel.
- If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
After-travel information for people who have recently recovered
If you have recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection within the last 3 months, then:
- You must follow the requirements and recommendations applicable to fully vaccinated travellers
- However, you need not get tested 3-5 days after travel, unless symptomatic.
Some other states either require all out-of-state visitors to self-isolate for 14 days or present a negative test result, or do not have a strict quarantine mandate. For more information, please consult each state’s health department websites.
In conjunction with the nationwide regulations, state-imposed and local recommendations and rules must be followed.
