Travel Information
Guidance for people with recent travel to areas impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
For potential travelers, the CDC has recommendations on postponing or canceling travel based on an assessment of potential health risks involved with traveling to a certain area. A list of destinations with travel notices is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
For travelers returning from countries with widespread sustained transmission of COVID-19 (Level 3 Travel Health Notice countries), the CDC asks you to stay at home for 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread ongoing community spread and practice social distancing.
As of 3/10/20 those Level 3 countries are: China, Iran, South Korea, Italy
If you have fever (100.4F /38C or higher), cough, or trouble breathing, seek medical care. Call ahead before you go to the doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell your doctor about your recent travel and symptoms. Avoid contact with others.
Guidance for other resources for returning travelers are available on the CDC Information for Travelers website.
CDC guidance for travelers from Level 3 CDC Advisory Countries (China, Italy, Iran, South Korea)
If you have a fever, cough, or trouble breathing: CDC staff at the airport will evaluate you for illness. You will be taken to a medical facility for further evaluation and care. You may not be able to complete your travel itinerary.
If you do not have symptoms: You will be allowed to reach your final destination. After arrival at your final destination, you will be asked to self-isolate and monitor your health for a period of 14 days from the time you arrived back in the United States. You will receive a health information card that tells you what symptoms to look for and what to do if you develop symptoms. During that time, you should stay home and limit interactions with others as much as possible. Your state or local health department will contact you for further follow-up.
Returning travelers should take these steps to monitor their health and practice social distancing while isolating themselves for 2 weeks.
- Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also, watch for a cough or trouble breathing.
- Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.
- Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.
- Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
- Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).
Guidance for returning travelers is available on the CDC Information for Travelers website.
Affected Geographic Areas with Widespread or Sustained Community Transmission
- China
- Iran
- Italy
- Japan
- South Korea
Note: these criteria are intended to serve as guidance for evaluation. Patients should be evaluated and discussed with public health departments on a case-by-case basis if their clinical presentation or exposure history is equivocal (e.g., uncertain travel or exposure).
Refer to the CDC website for updated guidance on the evaluation of a Person Under Investigation (PUI) for novel coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html