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Coronavirus Updates

Cdc says travel is safe for fully vaccinated people, but opposes nonessential trips.

Rachel Treisman

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its domestic travel guidance for fully vaccinated people on Friday, lifting certain requirements while continuing to advise mitigation measures like mask-wearing and hand-washing. Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its domestic travel guidance for fully vaccinated people on Friday, lifting certain requirements while continuing to advise mitigation measures like mask-wearing and hand-washing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its domestic travel guidance for fully vaccinated people, lifting certain testing and self-quarantine requirements and recommending precautions like wearing a mask and avoiding crowds. But health officials continue to discourage nonessential travel, citing a sustained rise in cases and hospitalizations.

The CDC updated its website on Friday to reflect the latest scientific evidence, writing that "people who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States."

The announcement comes less than a month after the CDC first released updated guidance about gatherings for fully vaccinated people, which it described as a "first step" toward returning to everyday activities.

Air Travel Is Opening Up Again, But That Doesn't Mean The Pandemic Is Over

The CDC considers someone fully vaccinated two weeks after they receive the last dose of vaccine. Those individuals will no longer need to get tested before or after travel unless their destination requires it, and do not need to self-quarantine upon return.

The new guidance means, for example, that fully vaccinated grandparents can fly to visit their healthy grandkids without getting a COVID-19 test or self-quarantining as long as they follow other recommended measures while traveling, according to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.

Those measures include wearing a mask over their nose and mouth, staying 6 feet from others and washing their hands frequently. Masks are required on all planes traveling into, within or out of the U.S., under an executive order issued by President Biden.

But Walensky, speaking at a White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing on Friday, nonetheless discouraged all nonessential travel, citing a continued increase in the seven-day average of cases and hospitalizations.

"While we believe that fully vaccinated people can travel at low risk to themselves, CDC is not recommending travel at this time due to the rising number of cases," Walensky said.

CDC Director Fears 'Impending Doom' If U.S. Opens Too Quickly

She said that while vaccinated people can do more things safely, most Americans are not yet fully vaccinated. Those who are not must have a negative test 1-3 days before they travel under CDC guidance. They must either get tested 3-5 days after they return and self-quarantine for 7 days, or self-quarantine for 10 days with no test.

Walensky said on Monday that there is more travel occurring now than throughout the pandemic, including the winter holidays. She acknowledged that people have been looking to get away over spring break or take advantage of what they perceive as a "relative paucity in cases," and she said the country was seeing an uptick in cases as a result.

"The thing that's different this time is that we actually have it in our power to be done with the scale of the vaccination," she said. "And that will be so much slower if we have another surge to deal with as well."

The U.S. is already seeing an uptick in domestic travel, and many Americans are looking to book trips in the coming months in what experts described to NPR as a sign of "clear pent up demand for travel."

As the country's supply of COVID-19 doses has grown, so has Biden's goal for the number of shots in arms during his first 100 days, doubling the target to 200 million by the end of this month. Many states have already expanded eligibility to all adults or are set to do so in the coming weeks, well ahead of the president's May 1 deadline.

According to NPR's vaccine tracker , 16.9% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated, and 30% has had at least one dose. Researchers estimate that 70% to 85% of the country would need to have immunity for COVID-19 to stop spreading through communities.

International travel restrictions remain

The CDC is not lifting travel restrictions barring the entry of most non-U.S. citizens from places including China, Brazil, South Africa and parts of Europe. It will continue to require airline passengers entering the U.S. to get a test within three days of their departure and show proof of a negative result before boarding.

The travel industry has been pushing for some of these restrictions to end. A group of 26 organizations sent a letter to White House COVID-19 czar Jeffrey Zients urging the federal government "to partner with us to develop, by May 1, 2021, a risk-based, data-driven roadmap to rescind inbound international travel restrictions."

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"To be clear, at this time, we do not support removal or easing of core public health protections, such as the universal mask mandate, inbound international testing requirement, physical distancing or other measures that have made travel safer and reduced transmission of the virus," they wrote. "However, the data and science demonstrate that the right public health measures are now in place to effectively mitigate risk and allow for the safe removal of entry restrictions."

Travel and tourism have taken a considerable hit because of the pandemic with industry groups noting that overseas travel to the U.S. declined by 81% in 2020, causing billions of dollars in losses. Without lifting international travel bans, the U.S. Travel Association estimates that some 1.1 million American jobs will not be restored and billions in spending will be lost by the end of the year.

"Fortunately, enough progress has been made on the health front that a rebound for domestic leisure travel looks possible this year, but that alone won't get the job done," Roger Dow, the association's president and CEO, said in a statement . "A full travel recovery will depend on reopening international markets, and we must also contend with the challenge of reviving business travel."

Fauci Expects Surge In Vaccinations To Keep A 4th Coronavirus Wave At Bay

• COVID-19 vaccine
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Mexico Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Mexico. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Dengue in the Americas February 28, 2024 Dengue is a risk in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. Travelers to the Americas can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Destination List: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana (France), Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique (France), Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Turks and Caicos Islands (U.K.)
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Mexico December 11, 2023 There have been reports of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in people traveling to the United States from Tecate, in the state of Baja California, Mexico.
• Salmonella Newport in Mexico September 08, 2022 Some travelers who have spent time in Mexico have been infected with multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Newport.

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Mexico.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Mexico. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Mexico.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Mexico take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Mexico.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Mexico. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Mexico, rabies treatment is often available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Mexico. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites, chagas disease (american trypanosomiasis).

• Accidentally rub feces (poop) of the triatomine bug into the bug bite, other breaks in the skin, your eyes, or mouth
• From pregnant woman to her baby, contaminated blood products (transfusions), or contaminated food or drink.
• Avoid Bug Bites

Chagas disease

• Mosquito bite

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

Avian/bird flu.

• Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
• Avoid domestic and wild poultry
• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Mexico, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Mexico. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Some diseases in Mexico—such as dengue, Zika, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease—are spread by bugs and cannot be prevented with a vaccine. Follow the insect avoidance measures described above to prevent these and other illnesses.

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Mexico include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Mexico. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Mexico’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in some parts of Mexico. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Mexico may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Mexico, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in Mexico, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for Mexico .

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

To call for emergency services while in Mexico, dial 066, 060, or 080. Write these numbers down to carry with you during your trip.

Learn as much as you can about Mexico before you travel there. A good place to start is the country-specific information on Mexico from the US Department of State.

Americans in Mexico have been arrested for purchasing souvenirs that were, or looked like, antiques and that local customs authorities believed were national treasures. Familiarize yourself with any local regulations for antiques and follow these tips:

• When you are considering purchasing an authentic antique or a reproduction, ask if you are allowed to export these items before you purchase them.
• If you buy a reproduction, document on the customs form that it is a reproduction.
• If you buy an authentic antique, obtain the necessary export permit (often from the national museum).

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Mexico for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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Verywell's Interactive Map Can Help You Plan Your Holiday Travel

Verywell / Jessica Olah

Key Takeaways:

• Americans are planning to travel this holiday season.
• Use our interactive map to check local COVID-19 case numbers, vaccination rates, mask mandates, and other key data points by state.
• There are other factors like masking and boosters you should take into consideration before you travel.

This year marks our second holiday season amidst a global pandemic. Navigating high COVID-19 cases and tough conversations about vaccines among families may be giving some people pause in traveling for the holidays. 

In Verywell Health's latest vaccine sentiment survey, we asked survey respondents in early November about their plans this year. Most Americans—62%—are planning to visit with friends or family outside of their household during the upcoming holidays.

And almost a third (30%) are planning to travel away from home. But not everyone is throwing caution to the wind—29% are at least somewhat concerned that COVID will impact their travel plans.

Respondents pointed to a few important factors they're when deciding whether or not to travel this holiday season, including:

• Vaccination status of who they are visiting (47%)
• The number of COVID-19 cases at their destination (47%)
• The vaccination rates at their destination (41%)

To help decide whether you should make the trip, we’ve mapped out COVID cases and vaccination rate data by state. This map also contains information on state mask mandates, vaccine mandates, and emergency declarations. 

What Is an Emergency Declaration?

An emergency declaration is a procedural and policy decision at a local, state, or federal level that lets jurisdiction access resources in response to an emergency or disaster. This might impact things like COVID-19 testing sites or investment in public health campaigns to encourage vaccination.

When looking at the data and deciding if travel is worth the risk, there are also a few additional factors to consider.

The map auto-updates every day when new data is published for both the vaccination rate and COVID-19 case data as well as state policies. To build the map, we used COVID case rate and vaccination rate data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID Data Tracker. Additional information about state policies was sourced from Kaiser Family Foundation.

Looking at Local Case Numbers

The CDC has travel risk rankings for the entire world, from one (least risky) to four (avoid travel). They currently classify the entire United States as a level four risk: COVID-19 cases are very high.

For level four countries, the CDC states, you should “avoid travel to these destinations. If you must travel to these destinations, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel.” Before embarking on domestic travel, specifically, the CDC recommends that everyone get fully vaccinated.

But asking everyone to stay put during the holidays is no longer feasible. People are going to travel—especially if they held off last year as they waited for the vaccine. 

In most of the U.S., cases have been dropping, but they’re still much higher than they were one year ago. Pay attention to local case numbers in the areas you’re planning on traveling to, but also in the areas you’re traveling through —that rest stop may also act as a COVID hub. 

What Should You Look For on the Map?

When using our map, take a look at whether cases are higher or lower in the state you're considering traveling to compared to where you currently are. You should keep an eye on vaccination rates, too. For example, if the state you're considering travel to has lower COVID-19 case counts and high vaccination rates it may be a safe destination.

If you're in an area with high or substantial community transmission the CDC recommends you wear a mask—even if you're fully vaccinated. Currently, the entire U.S. is classified under high or substantial community transmission.

It's especially important to wear masks in crowded areas—outdoors or indoors—and any spots you may be in close contact with others. Check the states’ mask mandates and other guidelines and make sure you’re sticking to them.

How to Prepare if You’re Traveling

Unless unavoidable, your family should only travel if you’re all fully vaccinated—two full weeks after a single-dose vaccine or the second dose of a two-shot vaccine.

Before You Go

If you’re eligible, get a booster shot , which should provide extra protection against breakthrough infections, especially if you're high risk or visiting someone who is.

Who Is Eligible for a Booster?

Among adults 18 and older, the CDC now recommends a single booster dose to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary Pfizer or Moderna series or two months after a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

To be safe when visiting family, especially if they are high risk or unvaccinated, consider getting a COVID test before traveling. The CDC doesn’t recommend testing for vaccinated travelers, but those who are unvaccinated (like children under 5) should have negative test results taken no more than three days before traveling.

While You're There

Take as many precautions as possible when you’re in airports or other places where large numbers of people congregate. Federal law requires mask-wearing in all transportation (planes, trains, buses, rideshares, etc.) and transportation hubs in the U.S., including airports and transit stations. Wear a mask, stay far from others as possible (especially if they’re unmasked), and wash or sanitize hands often.

When traveling, you might consider wearing a KN95 mask as opposed to a cloth mask because they work better. Or double up on masks .

When You Return

When you come back from holiday, vaccinated travelers need to monitor for any COVID symptoms . These include changes to sensations of smell or taste, fever, a persistent cough, chills, loss of appetite, and muscle aches. Isolate yourself and get tested if you feel sick. 

Unvaccinated travelers should quarantine for seven days after traveling and get a COVID test taken three to five days after any leg of travel. Without a test, unvaccinated travelers should quarantine for 10 days.

Traveling With Unvaccinated Children

Now that the Pfizer vaccine is available for children over 5, you should aim to get your kids at least partially vaccinated before traveling. Keep in mind that the Pfizer vaccine is part of a two-dose series, which means both shots need to be spaced 21 days apart.

For kids under 5, though, travel is riskier—not only could they get infected, but they could spread COVID to older, at-risk, or unvaccinated family members. Unvaccinated children over 2 should wear masks whenever they’re in public or near others they don’t live with.

The safest way to travel with unvaccinated children is on short road trips with limited stops. If flying is the only option, choose flights with the fewest layovers. Try to stick to outdoor activities . You should avoid dining indoors, too.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page .

Federal Emergency Management Agency. How a Disaster Gets Declared.

Centers for Disease Control. COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination . 

Centers for Disease Control. Domestic Travel During COVID-19 .

Centers for Disease Control. Safer Travel Tips for Families with Unvaccinated Children

By Jennifer Welsh Jennifer Welsh is a Connecticut-based science writer and editor with over ten years of experience under her belt. She’s previously worked and written for WIRED Science, The Scientist, Discover Magazine, LiveScience, and Business Insider. 

CDC warns US travelers to avoid 135-plus destinations due to 'very high' COVID-19 levels

Federal health officials are warning U.S. travelers to avoid more than 135 destinations as of Monday due to COVID-19. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moved South Korea, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Comoros, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and French Polynesia to its level 4 COVID-19 risk category Monday due to “very high” levels of the virus. 

Larger countries are considered to have very high COVID-19 levels  when they report more than 500 new cases per 100,000 people over the past 28 days. 

“Avoid travel to these destinations,” the CDC says on its website. “If you must travel to these destinations, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel.”

Two other destinations – Eswatini and Mauritius – dropped from level 4 to level 3 and are now considered to have “high” COVID-19 levels. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Other changes Monday include:

• El Salvador moved from level 2 to level 3. 
• Indonesia moved from level 1 to level 3. 

CDC COVID TRAVEL WARNINGS: The CDC warns US travelers to avoid more than 100 countries. Do people care?

CDC LEVEL 4 LIST: CDC adds Japan and Israel to 'very high' COVID risk category, warns travelers to 'avoid' 130+ countries

Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz . 

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What To Do When You Are Sick With COVID-19 or Another Respiratory Virus

Respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza (flu), and RSV can cause a range of symptoms, including but not limited to cough, fever, chills, headache, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, chest discomfort, decrease in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue (tiredness), muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, weakness, and wheezing. If you are sick or test positive for a respiratory virus, it is important to take steps to help prevent the spread of the virus to others in your home and community and to reduce your likelihood of getting very sick. Stay home and away from others, get tested if accessible, and get treatment if you are eligible.

This page describes what to do if you are sick with COVID-19 or another respiratory virus, as well as what to do if you were exposed to COVID-19 or another respiratory virus. Some guidance on this page is just for COVID-19. This guidance provides baseline recommendations. Please also follow any local health jurisdiction, workplace, business, or school policies, which may provide additional guidance specific to their setting or community. Employers must follow Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) COVID-19 requirements in the workplace: L&I Requirements and Guidance for Preventing COVID-19 .

This guidance does not apply to health care settings . People who are staying, working, or visiting in a health care setting, long-term care facility, or residential care setting should follow the guidance in COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Health Care Settings . Flu guidance for health care settings and long-term care facilities can be found on the CDC's  Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings webpage.

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• Take steps to avoid spreading COVID-19 or another respiratory virus to others
• Get tested and start treatment early, if eligible
• What should you do after being exposed to COVID-19 or another respiratory virus?
• What kind of support is available if I need to stay home to prevent spreading COVID-19?
• COVID-19 isolation guidance for homeless shelters and corrections

Take Steps to Avoid Spreading COVID-19 or Another Respiratory Virus to Others

If you have respiratory virus symptoms that are not better explained by another cause (such as allergies) or test positive for COVID-19 or another respiratory virus, follow CDC guidance for staying home and away from others; this includes people you live with who are not sick.

You can go back to your normal activities when both of the following have been true for at least 24 hours:

• Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
• You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

You can tell your symptoms are improving when you start to feel better and you feel well enough to fully participate in your activities, such as learning in a classroom or completing tasks at work. A respiratory virus infection can have many types of symptoms, some of which can last beyond when someone is contagious (able to spread the virus), such as a lingering cough. Having a single symptom or a combination of symptoms is not as important as the overall sense of feeling better and the ability to resume activities.

When you go back to your normal activities, wear a mask and take added precautions over the next 5 days, such as taking steps to improve air flow and filtration , practicing good hand hygiene , cleaning regularly , physical distancing , and testing when you will be around other people indoors. You may still be contagious with a respiratory virus after returning to your normal activities, so it is important to take additional precautions.

• People with COVID-19 are often contagious for 5-10 days after their illness begins.
• People with flu may be contagious for up to 5-7 days after their illness begins.
• People with RSV are usually contagious for 3-8 days after their illness begins.

Some people, such as those with a weakened immune system, can be contagious with a respiratory virus for longer periods of time.

If there is an outbreak in a setting such as a workplace or congregate housing, it may be necessary to isolate for a specific period of time longer than you would otherwise to help stop the spread of COVID-19 or another respiratory virus. If you have questions about responding to an outbreak, reach out to your local health jurisdiction for more information.

Additional Precautions to Protect People at High Risk of Getting Very Sick from COVID-19

If you are sick, there are additional precautions you can take to prevent spreading COVID-19 to people at high risk of getting very sick , such as older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Consider staying away from people at high risk of getting very sick until:

• 10 days have passed since your symptoms started,
• 10 days have passed since you tested positive (if you never developed symptoms), or
• You test negative for COVID-19 with an antigen test (such as an at-home test)

If you need to be around someone at high risk of getting very sick during this time, the most protective step you can take is wearing a well-fitting mask when around them. You can also take steps to improve air flow and filtration , physically distance , clean regularly , and practice good hand hygiene .

Get Tested and Start Treatment Early, if Eligible

If you have respiratory virus symptoms that are not better explained by another cause (such as allergies), get tested for COVID-19 if accessible. Testing is especially important if you are at high risk of getting very sick or if you are likely to have close contact with someone else who is at high risk of getting very sick. Testing can help you determine what is causing your symptoms so you can get effective treatment, if eligible. You can use at-home tests for COVID-19, and providers can test you for COVID-19, flu, and other respiratory viruses if needed. If you are at high risk and test positive for COVID-19, or if you are at high risk and have flu symptoms, talk to your health care provider right away to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are mild right now. Medications to treat COVID-19 and flu must be prescribed by a health care provider and started as soon as possible after diagnosis. For more information about treatment, visit the DOH COVID-19 Treatments webpage and the CDC Flu Treatment webpage.

What Should You Do After Being Exposed to COVID-19 or Another Respiratory Virus?

After you have been exposed to COVID-19 or another respiratory virus, it can be especially helpful to use respiratory virus prevention strategies , such as wearing masks , taking steps to improve air flow and filtration , practicing good hand hygiene , cleaning regularly , physical distancing , and/or testing . If you develop symptoms, take the steps described above to prevent spreading respiratory virus illness to others, get tested, and get treatment if eligible.

Precautions to Protect People at High Risk of Getting Very Sick from COVID-19

If you know you have been exposed to COVID-19, stay away from people who are at high risk of getting very sick for 5 days, if possible. If you were exposed to COVID-19 and must be around someone at high risk of getting very sick, you can decrease the likelihood of spreading COVID-19 to them by taking the following steps:

• Wear a mask indoors when around them for 5 days after you were exposed. Most people develop COVID-19 within 5 days after being exposed, but it can take up to two weeks.
• Test yourself for COVID-19 before being in contact with them. See U.S. Food & Drug Administration guidance for more information about the risk of false-negative test results and how to use repeat testing.

What Kind of Support is Available if I Need to Stay Home to Prevent Spreading COVID-19?

If you need food or other support while you are staying home to prevent spreading COVID-19 to others, Care Connect Washington is available. Contact Care Connect Washington at 1-833-453-0336 or reach out to your Care Connect hub. Language assistance is available.

For information on accessing tests, please see our  Testing for COVID-19  webpage.

COVID-19 Isolation Guidance for Homeless Shelters and Corrections

Homeless shelters and correctional facilities continue to have high risk for transmission of respiratory viruses due to congregate living conditions, and people living in these settings often have underlying health conditions that increase their risk of severe outcomes from respiratory illnesses. If you live or work in a homeless shelter or correctional facility, follow this COVID-19 isolation guidance while in the facility.

What To Do if You Test Positive for COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may end isolation after 7 days have passed since your symptoms started (or since you tested positive, if you don’t have symptoms) so long as both of the following have been true for at least 24 hours:

When you leave isolation, wear a mask and take added precautions through 10 days after your symptoms started (or after you tested positive, if you never developed symptoms), such as taking steps to improve air flow and filtration , practicing good hand hygiene , cleaning regularly , and physical distancing .

You can use antigen testing to determine if you can remove your mask and end isolation early. If you test negative with an antigen test on or after day 5, you may leave isolation and stop wearing a mask. Test no sooner than day 5, and only start testing if you are fever free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.

If you have symptoms, day 0 is your first day of symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed. If you have not had any symptoms, day 0 is the date you were tested. Day 1 is the first full day after the specimen was collected for your positive test.

There may be times when it is necessary to shorten or lengthen the isolation period due to situations in the facility. During periods of critical staffing shortages, homeless shelters and correctional facilities may consider shortening the isolation period for staff to ensure continuity of operations. If there is an outbreak, it may be necessary to isolate for longer than you would otherwise to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Decisions to change isolation in these settings should be made in consultation with the local health jurisdiction.

What To Do if You Have Respiratory Virus Symptoms but Do Not Test Positive for COVID-19

If you have respiratory virus symptoms that are not better explained by another cause (such as allergies) and do not test positive for COVID-19, you should isolate away from others. You can leave isolation when both of the following have been true for at least 24 hours:

When you leave isolation, wear a mask and take added precautions over the next 5 days, such as taking steps to improve air flow and filtration , practicing good hand hygiene , cleaning regularly, physical distancing , and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

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CDC Releases 2023 Provisional U.S. Tuberculosis Data

Updated March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

Dear Colleague:

On March 24, we observed World Tuberculosis (TB) Day to commemorate the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis , the bacillus that causes TB. World TB Day is an opportunity to renew our commitment to ending TB disease in the United States and around the world, especially as we continue to manage the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on TB elimination efforts.

In 2022, the World Health Organization reported a second consecutive year of increasing TB case counts. Consistent with the global trend, provisionally reported TB data in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report show a continued increase in U.S. TB cases in 2023. There were 9,615 provisionally reported TB cases in the United States in 2023, compared to 8,895 in 2019 – the most recent pre-pandemic year. Continued recovery from pandemic-related healthcare disruptions, worldwide increases in TB, and increases in post-pandemic travel and migration are likely contributing to these increases.

Other key findings from the report include:

• Forty states and Washington D.C. reported an increase in TB cases and rates.
• Cases of TB disease increased among nearly all demographic groups in 2023; however, persistent disparities remain, as TB continues to disproportionately affect groups that have historically experienced greater obstacles to health.
• As before the pandemic, TB rates in 2023 were highest among non–U.S.-born people.

Despite the increases, the United States continues to maintain one of the lowest TB incidence rates in the world , and domestic TB transmission remains rare. This is a testament to the tireless efforts of TB programs in our nation, and CDC is proud to recognize the efforts of over 30 U.S. TB Elimination Champions who are working to end TB in their communities.

With cases continuing to rise around the world and in the United States, it’s more important than ever to work with community health care providers to encourage them to “ Think TB ” when they are treating people with respiratory symptoms, especially if they have lived in or traveled to countries where TB is more common. It is also vital to maintain strong state and local public health programs and continue to engage communities with higher rates of TB in elimination efforts.

We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of all state and local health departments throughout the United States whose staff collected and reported the information used in the provisional TB data publication.

Thank you for your work and commitment to eliminate TB in the United States.

Philip LoBue, MD, FACP, FCCP Director Division of Tuberculosis Elimination National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH Rear Admiral, USPHS (retired) Director National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Stay connected:  @DrMerminCDC  &  Connections

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U.S. Measles Cases Surpass 2023 Levels, C.D.C. Says

There are several factors driving the spread of the highly infectious virus, experts said.

By Dani Blum

There have now been 64 measles cases in the United States this year, surpassing the total of 58 cases in all of 2023, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The rise in cases should “alert us, rather than alarm us,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the C.D.C. Most communities across the country have vaccination rates high enough to have robust protection against the highly contagious virus, he said. Even after the increase, the number of cases is still significantly lower than it was in 2019, when more than 1,200 people were infected, more than two-thirds of whom were children.

But health experts said the milestone is a distressing reminder that even though there is an effective vaccine against the virus, measles remains a persistent threat to public health.

What’s driving the spread of measles

Doctors say there are several factors contributing to the spread of measles, cases of which have climbed across the globe in recent years. Many cases reported in the United States this year were linked to international travel, according to the C.D.C., as travel destinations such as Britain, Austria and the Philippines have had outbreaks. Many of the people in the United States who have been infected have been unvaccinated children age 12 months and older.

Routine childhood vaccinations, including the two-dose vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella, stalled once the pandemic started. At the same time, vaccine hesitancy has become more commonplace, said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Generally, a community is protected against measles if more than 95 percent of people in it are vaccinated. But state-required vaccinations among kindergartners in the United States fell from around 95 percent in the 2019-20 school year to roughly 93 percent in the 2022-23 school year.

That gap in vaccination has left about 250,000 kindergartners vulnerable to measles annually for the past three years, according to the C.D.C. The rate of vaccine exemptions for children has also increased, underscoring the challenges vaccine hesitancy presents.

“People use the term, ‘personal choice,’ ‘individual freedom,’ ‘bodily autonomy’ — this is a contagious disease,” Dr. Offit said. “You’re making a decision for yourself and others with whom you come incontact.”

Barriers to accessing the shots may also be partly to blame for growing cases in the United States. Experts said that some parents may not be aware that they may be able to have their children vaccinated for free, either through private insurance or through the Vaccines for Children Program.

Parents might also wrongly assume “that measles is a mild disease,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary, a professor of pediatrics-infectious diseases at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Most cases cause fevers, cough, runny noses, red eyes and a telltale rash . In some cases, people can develop pneumonia and brain swelling that leads to deafness or intellectual disabilities. “It is potentially a very severe disease,” Dr. O’Leary said.

About one in five people in the United States who are infected with measles and not vaccinated end up hospitalized, according to the C.D.C. And as many as one in 20 children with measles develops pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.

So far, cases have appeared in at least 17 U.S. states: Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington and Florida.

In Florida, the state surgeon general released guidance that contradicted widespread medical advice and allowed parents to send unvaccinated children to school amid a measles outbreak.

How to protect against measles

Vaccination is “the most powerful thing” parents can do to protect their children against measles, Dr. Offit said. Two doses of the vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles. The C.D.C. typically recommends that children receive the first dose starting at age 1 and the second dose starting at age 4. In some cases, though, especially when outbreaks are spreading, children under 1 may be able to get vaccinated, Dr. Daskalakis said.

On Monday, the C.D.C. issued a health advisory encouraging parents to vaccinate children older than six months before traveling internationally, regardless of their destination.

Doctors may recommend against vaccination for certain people with compromised immune systems, like those undergoing chemotherapy.

Dr. Daskalakis encouraged parents to talk to their pediatricians about vaccination. Those kinds of conversations — parents seeking health information directly from doctors that they trust — can be a vital tool in what Dr. Daskalakis views as an “uphill battle.”

“Given the impact on vaccine confidence that we’ve seen after Covid, and during Covid,” he said, “I think we have to just keep that drumbeat going.”

Dani Blum is a health reporter for The Times. More about Dani Blum