If you need to travel to a high-risk country, it’s important to fully understand US quarantine and testing recommendations. Arrange any quarantine accommodation in advance, and remember to take a COVID-19 test before arriving back in the United States.
The U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise against all but essential travel to Level 3 and Level 4 destinations and recommend that anyone returning to the US from a “high-risk country” quarantine on arrival. When travel to a Level 3 or Level 4 country is unavoidable, these are the quarantine and testing rules you should follow upon your return.
The latest quarantine rules
For the latest updates on high-risk destinations, please refer to the U.S. Department of State.
Quarantine: What to do, and for how long
The CDC’s quarantine recommendations on return from high-risk countries depend on your COVID-19 vaccination status.
If you’ve been in a Level 3 or Level 4 country, the CDC advises everyone – even those who are fully vaccinated – to:
- Self-monitor for any possible symptoms.
- Take a COVID-19 viral test 3-5 days after arrival.
- Isolate at home and get tested if symptoms develop.
- Follow your state and local requirements after travel, if applicable.
For travelers who are NOT fully vaccinated and up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC additionally recommends:
- Self-quarantine for a full 5 days after travel.
- Follow additional recommendations for all travelers listed below.
Travelers who have documented recovery from COVID-19 within the last 90 days (regardless of their vaccination status):
- Do not need to self-quarantine or get tested 3-5 days after travel unless symptoms develop.
Testing checklist: What do I have to do?
There are a few things you’ll need to do before returning to the US from a high-risk country, some of which you should organize in advance.
All returning travelers over the age of 2, regardless of their vaccination status or citizenship, must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flight. Alternatively, those recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days can travel with proof of that.
Vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers must:
- Take a COVID-19 test within one day of travel.
As long as the test meets performance standards, it can be a RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR, HDA or an antigen test.
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