Updated on December 8, 2020
Back in March, many states across the country issued stay-at-home orders to prevent further spreading of the COVID-19 virus and to “flatten the curve.” Then the government began to ease restrictions in May.
Now, as winter starts to set in, there’s a second wave of coronavirus cases sweeping across North America. There are currently over 14.9 million cases and nearly 290,000 deaths in the United States. Many locations are creating new restrictions to slow the spread of the disease.
The limitations that have been put in place leave some uncertainty as to where people can travel domestically. Perhaps you had already planned on moving to another state that currently has stay-at-home orders, or maybe you need to travel across the country to care for an ill or elderly family member.
Whatever your reason, here’s what you need to know about state-to-state travel at this time.
Can You Travel from One State to Another?
The short answer is yes. The US Constitution protects your right to travel and move freely within the country, so it would be unconstitutional to prevent any American from crossing state borders. However, constitutional law experts say that it may not be unlawful for a state to close its bordersin the midst of a public health crisis.
“Although it would not necessarily be wise or effective for states to close their borders, courts would likely uphold such restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic,” comments Marjorie Cohn, former president of the National Lawyers Guild and a former professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego.
As of this writing, there are no regulations prohibiting domestic travel. However, government authorities and public health experts still highly discourage all forms of large social gatherings and any type of nonessential travel.
Keep in mind that each state has its own list of activities that are considered essential. While most (if not all) states allow supply runs, work travel (for essential workers), outdoor exercise, and traveling to care for the elderly or disabled family members, there are certain provisions that some states have and some do not.
You May Be Required to Quarantine, Undergo Testing, & More
While rules that infringe on a person’s constitutional right to freedom of movement may be deemed unconstitutional, the federal government does have the authority to impose quarantine or isolation to combat the spread of contagious diseases. State governments and local authorities also have the power to enforce such measures within their borders.
Depending on where you travel, you may face time in quarantine, mandatory COVID-19 testing, or both. Some states also require documentation for lawful entry.
Who is Exempt from Restrictions When Traveling to Another State?
Once again, the rules may differ depending on the state. For example, New Mexico requires all visitors (except those from Hawaii, a low-risk state) to quarantine for two weeks. The only travelers who are exempt are first responders and essential workers.
Before you travel out of state, visit your destination state’s government website to find updated information on whether you are allowed to cross the state’s borders and whether your purpose for traveling is deemed “essential.”
Travel Restrictions Per State
Currently, 28 states (and the District of Columbia) have travel restrictions or recommendations in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Note: Interstate travel restrictions change regularly. Consult the government website for your destination of choice before making travel plans.
Alaska: Those visiting Alaska must first submit an online form to the state documenting prior travels. Upon arrival, visitors will be asked to practice social distancing for five days. Testing is recommended and readily available.
California: Los Angeles requires visitors to sign a waiver, while Santa Clara County imposes two weeks of quarantine. It’s also worth noting that California is currently under a stay-at-home order that encourages residents to avoid nonessential travel.
Connecticut: Travelers visiting from one of the states on the travel restriction list must complete a Travel Health Form and quarantine for two weeks. The travel restriction list includes nearly every state and US territory.
District Of Columbia: The District of Columbia requires visitors from states on the travel restriction list—a register that includes nearly every state and US territory—to get tested within 72 hours before arrival.
Hawaii: The tourist destination of Hawaii requires travelers five years and older to produce a negative test result received within 72 hours before arrival. Those who cannot produce a negative test result must quarantine for 10 days. The exception is Kauai County, where a test result isn’t necessary, but two quarantine weeks are required.
Idaho: Although Idaho doesn’t have any statewide restrictions, those visiting Boise and a few other cities are encouraged to quarantine for two weeks.
Illinois: Like Idaho, Illinois doesn’t have any statewide restrictions. But the city of Chicago requires all visitors (except those coming from Vermont or Maine) to either produce a negative test result obtained within the last 72 hours or quarantine for two weeks.
Kansas: Visitors must quarantine for two weeks if they have attended a social gathering with 500 people or more; been in South Dakota after November 4th; been in either Belgium or Czechia; been on a cruise after March 15th, or had contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Kentucky: Travelers from a state with at least a 15% infection rate must quarantine for two weeks.
Maine: Everyone (except New Hampshire and Vermont residents) must quarantine for two weeks or sign a form that declares they received a negative test result within the past 72 hours.
Maryland: While there aren’t any statewide restrictions, visitors are asked to contact businesses before arrival.
Massachusetts: Visitors from high risk and moderate risk states must submit a form and quarantine for two weeks or provide a negative test result within 72 hours.
Minnesota: The state doesn’t have any formal restrictions, but visitors are encouraged to self-quarantine for two weeks.
Missouri: While there aren’t any restrictions for travelers visiting Missouri, residents are asked to wear masks and self-isolate if they travel.
Montana: The state’s National Guard is screening for COVID-19 symptoms at airports and train depots, but there aren’t any statewide restrictions. Keep in mind that the local Indian reservations may have their own guidelines for travelers to follow.
New Hampshire: All visitors (except those from Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) are asked to quarantine for two weeks.
New Jersey: Travelers who will be in the state for more than 24 hours must complete a Travel Health form and quarantine for two weeks.
New Mexico: Individuals visiting from any state other than Hawaii must quarantine for two weeks.
New York: There are two options for those traveling to New York. Visitors can either quarantine for a full two weeks or quarantine for three days, then produce a negative test result. Travelers from states that border New York are exempt from these restrictions.
Ohio: Visitors from high-risk states are asked to quarantine for two weeks.
Oklahoma: State officials ask that travelers wear face masks and limit indoor gatherings for 10-14 days. There aren’t any official statewide restrictions in place.
Oregon: All visitors should self-quarantine for two weeks. Residents are encouraged to limit nonessential travel.
Pennsylvania: Those over the age of 11 must have received a negative test result within 72 hours before arrival. Otherwise, a two-week quarantine period is required.
Rhode Island: International travelers and those from states with a positive test rate above 5% must self-quarantine for two weeks. The other option is to provide a negative test result within 72 hours of arrival.
South Carolina: Although there aren’t any statewide restrictions in place, visitors from high-risk areas are asked to self-quarantine for two weeks.
Vermont: All persons from outside the state must quarantine for two weeks or provide a negative PCR test and quarantine for seven days. Residents are encouraged to follow stay-at-home guidelines.
Washington: Travelers should self-quarantine for two weeks after arrival. Residents are encouraged to follow stay-at-home guidelines.
Wisconsin: While there aren’t any statewide restrictions, there may be some city-level restrictions that require two weeks of quarantine.
Some of the states that have travel restrictions in place also have penalties for those who do not comply.
In many cases, however, the punishments are relatively insignificant. For example, violators can be charged up to $100 in Rhode Island and up to $300 in Pennsylvania.
But there are some noteworthy exceptions. Alaska, for instance, threatens to fine offenders up to $25,000. Meanwhile, Hawaii says it will treat violations as a criminal offense with a $5,000 fine and/or a year’s imprisonment.
In other words: You’ll want to do your homework before you travel. Without knowing the restrictions (and consequences for violations), you could end up in serious legal trouble. For a full list of penalties per state, check out this article.
Is it Safe for You to Travel Within the US?
Any time you leave home and come into contact with other people, you put yourself at risk of infection. With that in mind, it is important that you thoroughly assess the situation before attempting to travel across state lines.
1. Are you at risk of spreading or catching the virus while traveling?
If there is an outbreak in your city or county, you may unknowingly spread the virus while on your way to your destination. Anyone can be a carrier—even if you aren’t currently presenting any symptoms.
At the same time, there’s also the possibility of catching the virus upon travel and causing an outbreak within your community upon your return.
2. What mode of transportation are you taking?
Riding mass transport systems is incredibly risky at this time due to the fact that you will be in an enclosed space with large groups of people for an extended period of time. Public transportation has long been linked to disease outbreaks, as there are many possible avenues for transmission.
While renting a vehicle is one option, make sure to disinfect high-contact surfaces such as the steering wheel, dashboard control, and even the seatbelt. Car rental companies will of course clean and sanitize each vehicle before renting it out to the next person, but it never hurts to be careful.
Obviously, driving your own vehicle poses the least risk among the three. However, you should remember that the risk increases as you make multiple stops to grab food, fill up your car with gas, or stay in rented accommodations if you’re driving cross-country over several days.
3. Are you, your travel companions, or the people you are visiting considered high-risk individuals?
Traveling might do more harm than good if you, your travel companions, or the people you will be visiting belong to the group identified as high-risk for COVID-19 complications by the CDC.
People at risk of severe illness due to the virus include anyone over 65, people of all ages with chronic heart and lung conditions, immunocompromised patients, severely obese individuals with underlying conditions, and pregnant women.
4. Are you able to go on self-quarantine upon arrival?
Be prepared to self-quarantine for up to 14 days if you decide to travel to another state. Even if doing so is not required by the state, self-isolation is a good idea, especially if you’ve taken an airplane or another form of mass transportation.
Those who cannot afford to take two weeks off to isolate themselves should reconsider their travel plans and stay at home.
Health & Safety Tips for Interstate Travel
1. Plan your route beforehand to minimize stops
Under the current circumstances, you must limit your interactions with other people as much as you can. Fill up your tank before leaving and pack enough food and water for the trip to avoid having to make multiple stops at gas stations and convenience stores.
If you have to leave your vehicle, maintain a distance of at least six feet from other people. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your arm or a piece of tissue.
If you use the latter, make sure to immediately throw it away and wash your hands with soap before touching anything.
3. Wear a face mask or some kind of face covering
To further protect yourself from infection, it’s best to wear a face mask. Ideally, you’d need a surgical or N95 mask, but due to the scarcity of these items, many people are opting for reusable cloth masks or even bandannas.
4. Carry soap, disinfectant wipes, or hand sanitizer at all times
Frequent hand washing is the best way to protect yourself from catching the coronavirus. Make sure to bring soap, disinfectant wipes, rubbing alcohol (at least 60 percent), or hand sanitizer. You need to be able to effectively sanitize your hands and other high-touch surfaces in your car throughout your trip.
5. Be mindful when handling the gas pump
As a precaution, wipe down the gas pump handle and keypad with a disinfecting wipe before filling up your tank or making a payment. You may also use disposable gloves or a paper towel to protect your skin from touching the handle.
5. Take a shower immediately upon arrival
Everyone’s focused on hand washing right now, but think about it—what if your forearm inadvertently grazed the gas pump while you were filling up your tank? Or what if your clothes accidentally brushed the surface of your car as you were unloading your luggage?
In these uncertain times, it’s best to assume that everything is contaminated. Apart from just washing your hands, make sure to take a shower and change into clean clothes as soon as you arrive at your destination.
6. Sanitize your belongings
You may also want to disinfect your belongings—particularly high-touch items that you wouldn’t normally think to clean, such as your car keys, wallet, credit cards, and of course, your smartphone.
Don’t forget the handles and zippers on your handbag and/or luggage as well.
7. Stay home if you’re sick
This should go without saying, but you should definitely just cancel your trip if you are exhibiting symptoms such as cough, a fever, or even a simple runny nose.
This isn’t just for other people’s protection, mind you. Traveling while sick, even if it’s just a simple cold, puts you at even greater risk of contracting the virus as your immune system may be in a weakened state.
As this is a developing situation, additional states may release stay-at-home orders and interstate travel mandates. Currently enforced regulations may also be amended or modified. As more information becomes available, be sure to check your state’s official government website as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for official updates and announcements.
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