USA
Travel restrictions
On March 11th 2020, the United States barred the entry of all foreign nationals who had visited China, Iran and of European countries part of the Schengen area, during the previous 14 days.
From March 16th 2020, the ban also applies to foreign nationals departing from the United Kingdom and Ireland.
On May 25th 2020, President Trump added Brazil to the list of travel-restricted countries which have been highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To limit the spread of COVID-19, American, Canadian, and Mexican authorities announced the temporary restriction of all non-essential travel across their borders as of March 21st, 2020, until October 21st 2021.
Effective January 26th 2021, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents) to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days?.
As announced by the White House on October 15th 2021, the new travel policy requiring foreign nationals traveling to the United States to demonstrate proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 will take effect November 8th 2021.
The CDC’s website explains that, for purposes of entry into the United States, the accepted vaccines will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. (Please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html ).
Measures taken by the government
Each state manages its own response to the coronavirus pandemic (see below).
Restrictions by State (where we operate only)
Arizona:
On May 12th 2020, as part of Arizona's reopening plan, Gov. Doug Ducey rescinded the executive order that enacted the 14-day quarantine requirement for out-of-state visitors.
On April 7th 2020, Ducey ordered all people traveling to Arizona from areas of the country with widespread COVID-19 cases to self-quarantine for 14 days. The order specifically mentioned Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey as areas with significant community spread. The order went into effect on April 9th and remained in effect until the expiration of Arizona's stay-at-home order, on May 12th.
California:
On May 4th, 2020, an Executive Order informed local health jurisdictions and industry sectors that they may gradually reopen under new modifications and guidance provided by the state per the May 7th, 2020.
As of May 8th, the stay home order was modified. This means in addition to essential activity, curbside retail is allowed, along with the infrastructure to support it.
On November 13th, 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued travel advisories asking out-of-state travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. They also asked residents to limit non-essential travel.
Colorado:
As of September 13th, 2021, Colorado had not issued any travel restrictions.
According to the Government of Colorado, you should only travel if it is essential to your work or health or that of your household members, family, or animals. Do not take a “Colorado vacation” or go to your second home. Limit activities to your immediate community. Planes and any other form of travel should only be used for essential travel.
Right now, Colorado is in Level 2: Safer at Home. Coloradans are no longer ordered to stay home, but are strongly advised to stay at home.
Georgia:
As of September 13th, 2021, Georgia had not issued any travel restrictions.
Idaho:
A Stay Healthy Order is effective as of 12:00 a.m. May 30th, 2020, and will continue to be in effect until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the Governor and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Non-essential travel should be avoided or minimized.
On May 15th, 2020, Gov. Brad Little announced that out-of-state visitors would no longer need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon entering Idaho.
Missouri:
As of September 13th, 2021, Missouri had not issued any travel restrictions.
Since June 16th 2020, Missouri has entered Phase 2 of its recovery plan. There is NO statewide public health order – Missouri is fully open for business.
Montana:
On March 30th, 2020, Gov. Steve Bullock issued an executive order requiring residents and non-residents traveling to Montana, except those traveling for work, to self-quarantine for two weeks. The order also instructed the Montana National Guard to conduct temperature checks and exposure risks inquiries at airports and rail stations in the state.
As part of Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan, the 14-day quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers was lifted June 1st 2020.
New Mexico:
On March 27th, 2020, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order requiring all travelers who entered New Mexico through an airport to self-quarantine for 14 days.
If an individual has travelled to high-risk COVID-19 areas in the past 14 days or been in contact with a test-positive COVID-19 individual, they will be asked to self-isolate for a period of 14 calendar days. It is also recommended that individuals who have travelled outside of the state be in self-isolation for a period of 14 calendar days.
On May 28th, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the limited reopening of some businesses as part of New Mexico's reopening plan. The new order, which goes into effect June 1st, also modifies the quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers to permit some business travel.
On June 30th, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham extended the stay-at-home order and the mandatory 14-day quarantine for all out-of-state travelers.
On September 3rd, 2020, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that, beginning September 4th, out-of-state travelers from states with a 5% positivity rate or greater or a new case rate greater than 80 per 1 million residents would be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Additionally, travelers from any state can avoid the quarantine requirement by presenting a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before or after entry into the state. Travelers waiting for a test result must still self-quarantine until the results come back.
On September 23rd, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham added Colorado, Oregon, and Rhode Island to the list of high-risk states. Travelers from high-risk states must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in New Mexico. Michigan and Hawaii were moved from high-risk to low-risk, exempting travelers from those states from the quarantine requirement.
On February 10th, 2021, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the state would end its quarantine requirements for out-of-state travelers on Thursday, February 11th. Instead of a mandatory self-quarantine for people entering the state from high-risk areas, the state will encourage all out-of-state travelers to quarantine before getting tested
Texas:
On April 26th, 2020, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a new executive order lifting restrictions on out-of-state travelers from Louisiana. Travelers from the remaining states on the list still needed to self-quarantine for 14 days upon entering Texas.
On March 26th, 2020, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order requiring people flying to Texas from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or New Orleans self-quarantine for two weeks. California, Louisiana, Washington, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and Miami were later added.
On May 18th, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order to announce the second phase of the ongoing plan to open additional businesses and activities in Texas.
On May 21st 2020, Gov. Greg Abbott ended quarantine requirements for out-of-state travelers
Utah:
On April 8th, 2020, Gov. Gary Herbert issued an order requiring all visitors over the age 18 who enter Utah through airports or roadways to complete a travel declaration within three hours of entering the state. Drivers entering Utah would receive a text message with a link to the form, whereas travelers in the airport would receive a card from an airport employee with instructions to fill out a form online. The form required travelers to answer a number of questions related to COVID-19 symptoms and travel history.
Vermont:
On March 30th, 2020, Gov. Phil Scott issued an addendum to Executive Order 01-20 requiring all residents and non-residents traveling to Vermont to self-quarantine for two weeks.
On June 5th, 2020, Gov. Phil Scott announced that the quarantine requirement will be lifted for out-of-state travelers from counties across New England with similar COVID-19 caseloads to Vermont starting June 8th. The Agency of Commerce and Community said it would release a map June 8th at 5 p.m. identifying quarantine and non-quarantine counties. Additionally, Vermont residents will be allowed to travel to the non-quarantine counties and return home without quarantining for 14 days. The map can be found at the following link: https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/restart/cross-state-travel
Beginning July 1st, out-of-state visitors arriving from low-risk counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia in a personal vehicle will no longer need to quarantine for 14-days after arriving in Vermont. Vermont residents who visit those counties and then return home will also no longer need to quarantine.
On November 11th, 2020, Gov. Phil Scott issued an order requiring all visitors to Vermont to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Visitors can end their quarantine after 7 days if they do not have symptoms and can produce a negative COVID-19 test.
As of May 14th 2021, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott ended the requirement that unvaccinated out-of-state travelers and returning residents quarantine for 10 days or present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival.
Wyoming:
On May 7th, 2020, Gov. Mark Gordon announced that out-of-state travelers will no longer need to quarantine for 14 days.
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
Call 1-888-407-4747
Source:
US Department of State - COVID-19 Travel Guidance for U.S. Citizens https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information1.html
Published on May 28th 2021 (checked on October 20th 2021)
US Department of State - Update on U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/update-on-us-travel-policy-requiring-covid-19-vaccination.html
Published on October 15th 2021 (checked on October 20th 2021)
US Customs and Border Protection - Temporary Restriction of Travelers Crossing US-Canada and Mexico Land Borders for Non-Essential Purposes
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1596?language=en_US
Published on September 22nd 2021 (checked on October 20th 2021)
BALLOTPEDIA - Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021
https://ballotpedia.org/Travel_restrictions_issued_by_states_in_response
_to_the_coronavirus_(COVID-19)_pandemic,_2020
Published on September 13th 2021 (checked on October 20th 2021)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx