Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

You can get COVID-19 during your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to others. You and your travel companions (including children) may spread COVID-19 to other people including your family, friends, and community for 14 days after you were exposed to the virus.

Don't travel if you are sick or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Don't travel with someone who is sick.

Before You Travel

Before you travel, consider the following:

Is COVID-19 spreading at your destination?

The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get infected during travel and spread the virus to others when you return.

Do you live with someone who might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?

If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the virus to loved ones when you return, even if you don’t have symptoms.

Are you at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?

Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes COVID-19, but older adults and people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Does your destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers?

Some state, local, and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring people to wear masks and requiring those who recently traveled to stay home for up to 14 days. Check state, territorial, tribal and local public health websites for information before you travel. If you are traveling internationally, check the destination’s Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health or the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information pageexternal icon for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers, such as mandatory testing or quarantine.

If You Travel

During your trip, take steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

*Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings.

*Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arms' length) from anyone who is not from your household.

*Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).

*Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.

*Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Tips to avoid getting and spreading COVID-19 in common travel situations:

In public:

*Wear a mask in public settings.

*Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms' length) from anyone who is not from your household.

Bathrooms and rest stops:

*Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom and after you have been in a public place.

*If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Getting gas:

*Use disinfecting wipes on handles and buttons at the gas pumps before you touch them (if available).

*After fueling, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. When you get to your destination, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Food stops:

*The safest option is to bring your own food. If you don't bring your own food, use drive-through, delivery, take-out, and curb-side pick-up options.

Anticipate Your Travel Needs

*Bring a mask to wear in public places.

*Pack hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Keep this within reach.

*Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip.

*Pack food and water in case restaurants and stores are closed, or if drive-through, take-out, and outdoor-dining options aren't available.

*If you are considering cleaning your travel lodgings, see CDC's guidance on how to clean and disinfect.

After You Travel

You may have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can be contagious without symptoms and spread the virus to others. 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. 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, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms' length) from other people who are not from your household. It is important to do this everywhere, both indoors and outdoors.

*Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are outside of your home.

*Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).

*Watch your health and look for symptoms of COVID-19. Take your temperature if you feel sick.

Follow state, territorial, tribal and local recommendations or requirements after travel.