• If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.

Do I need to get self-quarantine after a domestic travel if I am fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

You do NOT need to get tested or self-quarantine if you are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months. You should still follow all other travel recommendations.

Why do you have to quarantine for 14 days after travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?

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 travel.

How long should I quarantine after travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic?

If you don’t 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.

Do I need to quarantine after testing negative for the coronavirus disease?

You should stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.

Is traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic safe for fully vaccinated people?

Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread SARS-CoV-2 and can now travel at low risk to themselves within the United States.

Can you get COVID-19 after being vaccinated?

Vaccinated people can still become infected and have the potential spread the virus to others, although at much lower rates than unvaccinated people. The risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in fully vaccinated people are higher where community transmission of the virus is widespread.

How long will it take to build immunity after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second shot of the Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or two weeks after the single-dose J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

Do I need to get tested before traveling to the United States if I recently recovered from COVID-19?

If you have had a positive viral test in the past 3 months, and you have met the criteria to end isolation, you may travel instead with documentation of your positive viral test results and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel. The positive test result and letter together are referred to as “documentation of recovery.”

How soon should I get a COVID-19 test before travelling?

If your planned itinerary has you arriving via one or more connecting flights, your test can be taken within the 3 days before the departure of the first flight.

Do I need a negative COVID-19 test to enter the US if I’m flying from US territories?

No, the Order to present a documentation of a negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 does not apply to air passengers flying from a US territory to a US state.

US territories include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Do I need to have a COVID-19 test before my doctor’s appointment at the Cleveland Clinic?

For the following surgeries or procedures, you will need a COVID-19 test before your appointment:

• If you require an overnight stay or admission to the hospital.
• If you are age 14 or younger.
• Bronchoscopy.
• Pulmonary function challenge testing (methacholine challenge, exercise challenge and mannitol challenge).
• Oral, nasal, pharyngeal and laryngeal procedures (does not include dental procedures).

Additional testing may be required for other procedures based on your symptoms. Your provider will decide when this is necessary.

Can a COVID-19 test taken before departure from the US be used to return within the 3-day time frame?

If a trip is shorter than 3 days, a viral test taken in the United States can be used to fulfill the requirements of the Order as long as the specimen was taken no more than three days before the return flight to the US departs. If the return travel is delayed longer than 3 days after the test, the passenger will need to be retested before the return flight.

Travelers considering this option should additionally consider the availability of appropriate testing capacity at their destinations, and the time frame needed to obtain results, as a contingency when making plans for travel.

What should I do when arriving to the U.S. after an international travel if I have been vaccinated for COVID-19?

• 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.

• Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel.

Can I get reinfected with COVID-19 after I have been vaccinated in Kentucky?

These findings suggest that among persons with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, full vaccination provides additional protection against reinfection. Among previously infected Kentucky residents, those who were not vaccinated were more than twice as likely to be reinfected compared with those with full vaccination.

Do you still have to wear a mask if you get the COVID-19 vaccine?

• If you have a condition or taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may not be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. You should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine prevent transmission?

Evidence suggests the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program has substantially reduced the burden of disease in the United States by preventing serious illness in fully vaccinated people and interrupting chains of transmission.

Can flying on an airplane increase my risk of getting COVID-19?

Yes. Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes. However, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and you may have to sit near others (within 6 feet), sometimes for hours. This may increase your risk for exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.

What does it mean to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19?

Fully vaccinated persons are those who are ≥14 days postcompletion of the primary series of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine. Not fully vaccinated persons are those who did not receive an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine or who received vaccine but are not yet considered fully vaccinated.

When am I considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

People are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, or 2 weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

Should I keep isolating myself if I tested negative for COVID-19 after five days of the exposure?

If you got tested on the fifth day after exposure or later and the result was negative, you can stop isolation after seven days. While in quarantine, watch for a fever, shortness of breath or other COVID-19 symptoms. Those who are experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms should seek emergency care immediately.

What does a negative COVID-19 test result mean?

A negative test result for this test means that SARS- CoV-2 RNA was not present in the specimen or the RNA concentration was below the limit of detection. However, a negative result does not rule out COVID-19 and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or patient management decisions.

What should a symptomatic person who has received a negative COVID-19 antigen test result do?

A symptomatic person who has received a negative antigen test result and then a negative confirmatory NAAT but has had close contact with a person with COVID-19 within the last 14 days should follow CDC’s guidance for quarantine, which may include retesting 5-7 days after last known exposure.

Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States are still required to get tested 3 days before travel by air into the United States (or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months) and should still get tested 3-5 days after their trip.

Do I have to provide a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the US?

Air passengers traveling to the US are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery. Airlines must confirm the negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding.

What should I do when arriving to the U.S. after an international travel if I have been vaccinated for COVID-19?

• 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.

• Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel.

What precautions should I take after traveling internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic?

• 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.

• Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel.

Do I need to get a post-arrival COVID-19 test after traveling if I was infected within the last 3 months?

If you recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection within the last 3 months, follow all requirements and recommendations for fully vaccinated travelers except you do NOT need to get a post- arrival test 3-5 days after travel unless you are symptomatic.

Do I need a negative COVID-19 test to enter the US if I’m flying from US territories?

No, the Order to present a documentation of a negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 does not apply to air passengers flying from a US territory to a US state.

US territories include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Can an airline deny boarding a passenger if they don’t have a negative COVID-19 test?

Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.

What is the COVID-19 test requirement for all air passengers arriving in the United States?

On January 12, 2021, CDC announced an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to present the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight.

Does the CDC require COVID-19 testing before coming to the United States?

All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States.

Do I need to get tested for COVID-19 before traveling?

Travelers who are fully vaccinated or who recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months do not need to get tested before departing the United States for international travel or before domestic travel unless their destination requires it.

When do you need to get tested for COVID-19 if you are not vaccinated?

– People who are not fully vaccinated should quarantine and be tested immediately after being identified, and, if negative, tested again in 5–7 days after last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop during quarantine.

Is it recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Kentucky?

Among previously infected Kentucky residents, those who were not vaccinated were more than twice as likely to be reinfected compared with those with full vaccination. All eligible persons should be offered vaccination, including those with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, to reduce their risk for future infection.

Where can I get a COVID-19 test?

If you think you have COVID-19 and need a test, contact your health care provider or local health department immediately. You can also find a community testing site in your state, or buy an FDA-authorized at-home test. Some FDA-authorized at-home tests give you results within minutes. Others require you to mail the sample to a lab for analysis.

Does the COVID-19 negative test order apply to all flights or just commercial flights for passengers arriving to the US?

This order applies to all flights, including private flights and general aviation aircraft (charter flights). Passengers traveling by air into the US are required to have proof of testing regardless of flight type.

How does the CDC determine if an airline carrier has tested negative for COVID-19?

CDC expects that air carriers or operators will determine whether their employee’s travel meets the requirements of the exemption. CDC also recommends that crew travel with an official statement (paper or electronic copy) from the carrier or operator that the employee’s travel meets the requirements of the exemption.

What do I do if I test positive for COVID-19 before a flight?

People should self-isolate and delay their travel if symptoms develop or a pre-departure test result is positive until they have recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must refuse to board anyone who does not present a negative test result for COVID-19 or documentation of recovery.

What happens if I don’t take a test and want to travel to the US?

Air passengers traveling to the US are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery. Airlines must confirm the negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before boarding.

Can a COVID-19 test taken before departure from the US be used to return within the 3-day time frame?

If a trip is shorter than 3 days, a viral test taken in the United States can be used to fulfill the requirements of the Order as long as the specimen was taken no more than three days before the return flight to the US departs. If the return travel is delayed longer than 3 days after the test, the passenger will need to be retested before the return flight.

Travelers considering this option should additionally consider the availability of appropriate testing capacity at their destinations, and the time frame needed to obtain results, as a contingency when making plans for travel.

What should I do if am overseas and I can’t get tested before my flight during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Passengers should contact the airline regarding options for changing their departure date to allow time for a test, see if the airline has identified options for testing, or if there are options available for changing their flights to transit through a location where they can get tested before boarding their final flight to the United States.

What is the CDC’s recommendation for COVID-19 testing before traveling?

CDC recommends predeparture testing with a viral test no more than 3 days before departure for other travelers, including those departing from the United States for international destinations or traveling domestically within the United States.

Why do you have to quarantine for 14 days after travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?

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 travel.

Do I need to get self-quarantine after a domestic travel if I am fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

You do NOT need to get tested or self-quarantine if you are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months. You should still follow all other travel recommendations.

Am I required to quarantine after domestic travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?

CDC does not require travelers to undergo a mandatory federal quarantine. However, CDC recommends that unvaccinated travelers self-quarantine after travel for 7 days with a negative test and for 10 days if they don’t get tested.

Check CDC’s Domestic Travel pages for the latest recommendations for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.

The smallest very fine droplets, and aerosol particles formed when these fine droplets rapidly dry, are small enough that they can remain suspended in the air for minutes to hours.

Do fully vaccinated travelers need to be tested for COVID-19 before leaving the United States?

Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to get tested before leaving the United States unless required by their destination.

Should I travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Delay travel until you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s recommendations for unvaccinated people.

Can flying on an airplane increase my risk of getting COVID-19?

Yes. Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes. However, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and you may have to sit near others (within 6 feet), sometimes for hours. This may increase your risk for exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Am I required to quarantine after domestic travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?

CDC does not require travelers to undergo a mandatory federal quarantine. However, CDC recommends that unvaccinated travelers self-quarantine after travel for 7 days with a negative test and for 10 days if they don’t get tested.

Check CDC’s Domestic Travel pages for the latest recommendations for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.

Should vaccinated people get tested for COVID-19?

People who are fully vaccinated should get tested 3-5 days after coming into close contact with someone with COVID-19 and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days or until they test negative. If symptoms develop, they should isolate and get tested immediately.

Is traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic safe for fully vaccinated people?

Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread SARS-CoV-2 and can now travel at low risk to themselves within the United States.

Do I need to discontinue my medications after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

For most people, it is not recommended to avoid, discontinue, or delay medications that you are routinely taking for prevention or treatment of other medical conditions around the time of COVID-19 vaccination.

How long can COVID-19 survive on surfaces?

Data from surface survival studies indicate that a 99% reduction in infectious SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses can be expected under typical indoor environmental conditions within 3 days (72 hours) on common non-porous surfaces like stainless steel, plastic, and glass .

Can COVID-19 spread through the air?

Research shows that the virus can live in the air for up to 3 hours. It can get into your lungs if someone who has it breathes out and you breathe that air in. Experts are divided on how often the virus spreads through the airborne route and how much it contributes to the pandemic.

Can the coronavirus disease spread faster in an air-conditioned house?

Waleed Javaid, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, says it is possible, but not likely.

If someone in the house who is infected with the virus is coughing and sneezing and not being careful, then tiny virus particles in respiratory droplets could be circulated in the air. Anything that moves air currents around the room can spread these droplets, whether it is an air conditioning system, a window-mounted AC unit, a forced heating system, or even a fan, according to Dr. Javaid.

Do I need to get tested for COVID-19 before traveling?

Travelers who are fully vaccinated or who recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months do not need to get tested before departing the United States for international travel or before domestic travel unless their destination requires it.

What is the COVID-19 test requirement for all air passengers arriving in the United States?

On January 12, 2021, CDC announced an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to present the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight.

Do I need a negative COVID-19 test to enter the US if I’m flying from US territories?

No, the Order to present a documentation of a negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 does not apply to air passengers flying from a US territory to a US state.

US territories include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Can you get COVID-19 after being vaccinated?

Vaccinated people can still become infected and have the potential spread the virus to others, although at much lower rates than unvaccinated people. The risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in fully vaccinated people are higher where community transmission of the virus is widespread.

Should I wear a mask after being fully vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic?

If you’ve been fully vaccinated:

• You can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic.

• To reduce the risk of being infected with the Delta variant and possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.

How long does it take to build up immunity to COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. It typically takes a few weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19. That means it is possible a person could still get COVID-19 just after vaccination.

Will getting a COVID-19 vaccine cause me to test positive for COVID-19 on a viral test?

No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.​

If your body develops an immune response to vaccination, which is the goal, you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus.

Learn more about the possibility of COVID-19 illness after vaccination

What does it mean to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19?

Fully vaccinated persons are those who are ≥14 days postcompletion of the primary series of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine. Not fully vaccinated persons are those who did not receive an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine or who received vaccine but are not yet considered fully vaccinated.

What should you do if you’re fully vaccinated and come in contact with someone who has COVID-19?

• Wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until a negative test result.

• Get tested 3-5 days after close contact with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

• Get tested and isolate immediately if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

Why do you have to quarantine for 14 days after travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?

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 travel.

What are the steps you should take after traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic?

• 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 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.

Can traveling to visit family or friends increase my chances of getting and spreading COVID-19?

Yes. CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated, because travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s Domestic Travel or International Travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.