Covid-19 travel restrictions state by state

Travel

Editor’s Note — This story was current at the time of last publication on November 16 and will be updated periodically. However, you should still check with the official state websites before you commit to travel plans, especially as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.

(CNN) — With cases of Covid-19 reaching new heights in the United States, some states are having to adapt rapidly with their rules and regulations, especially in recent weeks.
If you wish to travel to another state, it is important to be updated on the latest statewide regulations. While some US states have no restrictions on travel, all their sites have important Covid-19 safety information, including possible face mask mandates in public settings. States without travel restrictions might still have mask mandates.

This list is alphabetical and includes links where you should get more information and updates before you head out:

Alabama

Cheaha State Park is a great place to see fall color in Alabama.

Cheaha State Park is a great place to see fall color in Alabama.

Shutterstock

Alaska

Alaska’s latest travel protocols have been in effect since August 11. Visitors from other states must do one of the following:

— Submit a travel declaration and self-isolation plan online and arrive with proof of a negative Covid-19 test.
— Follow a plan that your employer filed with the state if you come for work.
— Buy a $250 Covid-19 test when you arrive and self-quarantine at your own expense until you get the results.

Alaska residents also have protocols they must follow for travel. According to the CDC, “people in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.” Leaving your home state to enter a state with a mandatory quarantine means you need one place to stay and to stay put. Check here for Alaska details and updates.

Arizona

Arkansas

The sun rises over Whitaker Point, also known as Hawksbill Crag, in the Ozarks of Arkansas.

The sun rises over Whitaker Point, also known as Hawksbill Crag, in the Ozarks of Arkansas.

Shutterstock

California

Colorado

national parks never skied Colorado peaks nccorig_00000505

A Rocky Mountain winter is just around the corner in Colorado.

As of November 16, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Colorado though nonessential travel is not recommended. Check here for updates.

Connecticut

Any traveler coming from a state that has a positiitye rate of 10 out of 100,000 people or a 10% or higher positivity rate must self-quarantine for 14 days. The traveler must have spent more than 24 hours in said state for the rule to apply. Everyone also needs to complete a travel health form.

Visitors can opt out of the 14-day quarantine in limited cases if they can provide proof that they have had a negative Covid-19 test in the past 72 hours. There were 46 states plus Guam and Puerto Rico on the 10% or higher positivity list as of November 16. The list is updated each Tuesday. Check here for updates and details.

Delaware

Florida

Manatee encounters are popular in Florida.

Manatee encounters are popular in Florida.

Forrest Brown/CNN

Georgia

Hawaii

Travelers who arrive with an FDA-approved nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) taken no earlier than 72 hours before their flight, performed using a nasal swab, and who can also show proof of negative test results from a CLIA certified laboratory can avoid the state’s 14-day quarantine. This includes anyone 5 or older. Check here for important additional details.

Idaho

Illinois

Illinois has no travel restrictions, but the city of Chicago does. It places visitors in red, orange and yellow categories depending on the severity of the outbreak in a particular state.

Illinois has no travel restrictions, but the city of Chicago does. It places visitors in red, orange and yellow categories depending on the severity of the outbreak in a particular state.

TIM SLOAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

NEW: There are no statewide restrictions, but visitors heading to Chicago since November 10 have been placed in three categories — red, orange and yellow. Anyone from a red state must quarantine for 14 days. Anyone from an orange state must have a negative Covid-19 test result no more than 72 hours old or observe the quarantine. Check here for the list of states and more information before you travel.

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

NEW: While mostly open, Kansas has some unusually specific 14-day quarantine requirements that often change. (For instance, people who visited the tiny European nation of Andorra on or after October 21.) Check here for updates and more details.

Kentucky

Courthouse Rock in the Red River Gorge in Kentucky is gorgeous on a foggy sunrise.

Courthouse Rock in the Red River Gorge in Kentucky is gorgeous on a foggy sunrise.

Shutterstock

Louisiana

Maine

Beautiful fall colors of Acadia National Park in Maine are past their peak, but the state has natural beauty all year.

Beautiful fall colors of Acadia National Park in Maine are past their peak, but the state has natural beauty all year.

Shutterstock

NEW: Travelers must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival or sign a form stating they’ve received a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours. You may also get tested upon arriving in Maine but must quarantine while awaiting results. Residents of New Hampshire and Vermont are exempt from quarantining or having a negative test. Check here for updates.

Maryland

Massachusetts

Travelers must “quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative Covid-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts.” Those waiting on test results need to quarantine until they receive their negative results. Failure to comply with these directives may result in a $500 fine. Check here for updates.

Michigan

Mackinac Island exudes autumn glory in Michigan.

Mackinac Island exudes autumn glory in Michigan.

Shutterstock

NEW: As of November 16, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Michigan. However, the state issued a three-week pause on many types of indoor social gatherings starting November 15. Check here for updates.

Minnesota

Mississippi

Autumn is beautiful time to drive the the Natchez Trace, which runs from Mississippi to Tennessee.

Autumn is beautiful time to drive the the Natchez Trace, which runs from Mississippi to Tennessee.

Shutterstock

Missouri

Montana

As of November 16, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Montana. Travel restrictions might vary at Native American reservations. Check here for updates.

Nebraska

Nevada

Nevada doesn't have travel restrictions -- so that means Vegas fans can visit.

Nevada doesn’t have travel restrictions — so that means Vegas fans can visit.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

New Hampshire

Those traveling from outside other New England states (Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island) who are visiting for “an extended period of time” are asked to self-quarantine for two weeks. Check here for updates.

New Jersey

All travelers to New Jersey from states that have a Covid-19 testing positivity rate of 10% or higher or have 10 people test positive for every 100,000 residents are asked to quarantine for 14 days. This rule does not apply for visitors spending less than 24 hours in the state. The state government is also asking travelers to fill out a voluntary survey regarding information about where they are traveling and their destination.

As of November 16, there were 45 states and US jurisdictions on the list. Check here for updates and most recent list of states.

New Mexico

People traveling from out-of-state are required to self-quarantine for 14 days or the length of their stay in New Mexico, whichever is shorter. The state issues a weekly list of exemptions, updated each Wednesday. On November 16, the only exemption was Vermont. Check here for updates.

New York

Know New York's new testing requirements before you take on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Know New York’s new testing requirements before you take on the Brooklyn Bridge.

JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced new guidelines allowing out-of-state travelers to New York to “test out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Travelers from states that are contiguous with New York will continue to be exempt from the travel advisory. Covered travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form. The new protocol became effective November 4. Check for important details here.

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is in Cleveland.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is in Cleveland.

Duane Prokop/Getty Images

Travelers visiting Ohio from states reporting positive testing rates of 15% or more must self-quarantine for 14 days. This list updates each Wednesday. Check here for updates.

Oklahoma

Oregon

NEW: As of November 16, there was no official statewide travel restrictions in Oregon. However, the state is issuing a two-week statewide freeze on many activities that tourists might come there to enjoy from November 18 to December 2. Check here for updates and details.

Pennsylvania

Before you visit the wonderful city of Pittsburgh, make sure you know Pennsylvania's travel restrictions.

Before you visit the wonderful city of Pittsburgh, make sure you know Pennsylvania’s travel restrictions.

Shutterstock

Rhode Island

Those traveling to Rhode Island from a state that has a positive testing rate of 5% or more must quarantine for 14 days. Travelers can opt out of the quarantine if they can provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of their arrival. You can check that updated list of states here on this Google doc, last updated on November 16.
Those waiting on test results must self-quarantine until a negative test result arrives. However, the state still recommends quarantining for 14 days as opposed to relying on a negative test result. Check here for updates and details.

South Carolina

South Dakota

As of November 16, there were no statewide travel restrictions in South Dakota. Some routes through Native American lands might be closed. Check here for updates.

Tennessee

Knoxville is a popular college town in Eastern Tennessee.

Knoxville is a popular college town in Eastern Tennessee.

Shutterstock

Texas

As of November 16, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Texas. The state urges people to wear a mask, saying “an itty-bitty piece of cloth goes a long way towards keeping yourself and others healthy.” Check here for updates.

Utah

Before you know it, winter and skiing will be coming to places such as  The Canyons

Before you know it, winter and skiing will be coming to places such as The Canyons

Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Vermont

NEW: Vermont has suspended its leisure travel map with exceptions on its travel restrictions and now has a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival for nonessential travel. You have the option of taking a Covid-19 PCR test on day 7 of the quarantine and then end it early with a negative reading. Check here for updates.

Virginia

Washington, DC

NEW: New travel requirements were implemented on November 9 for anyone traveling to the District with more than 10 cases per 100,000 people. Visitors are asked to get tested 72 hours or less before coming to DC. If you’re there for more than three days, you’re asked to get tested again. Check here for updates and important details.

Washington state

NEW: Gov. Jay Inslee issued a travel advisory for Washington on November 13, recommending a 14-day self-quarantine for interstate and international travel. Tourists are being discouraged from visiting.

West Virginia

Wisconsin

NEW: As of November 16, there were no statewide travel restrictions. But on November 10, Gov. Tony Evers issued new orders to limit the spread of Covid-19 that would crimp many typical travel activities. Check here for updates.

Wyoming

The Grand Teton mountain range in Grand Teton National Park is stunning any time of year.

The Grand Teton mountain range in Grand Teton National Park is stunning any time of year.

Daniel Slim/AFP/Getty Images

Products You May Like

Articles You May Like

The ultimate guide to Tibetan Buddhist monasteries: exploring gompas in the Himalayas
The 27 Most Anticipated Openings of 2025 in North & South America
9 things to know before visiting Portland, Oregon
Boeing delivers fewest planes since 2020, warns factory restart after strike will take weeks
See some of the best photos from National Geographic’s ‘Pictures of the Year’

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *