COVID-19 US Travel Restrictions: State-By-State Guide for January 2021

The year 2021 has finally arrived, bearing on its back the hopes and frustrations that we Americans have collectively amassed while waiting out the pandemic for the better part of 2020. The recent arrival of multiple COVID-19 vaccines to market has bolstered optimism among many who are eager to start traveling safely and confidently again. Yet, the current COVID surges occurring throughout the U.S. make stepping outside one's door more daunting than ever, and things promise to get worse before they get better, due to people's increased movements and social gatherings over the holiday season.

Still, there has been no unified national response or set of federal measures implemented to curb the viral spread, with public health and safety policy being decided at the state, and even jurisdictional, levels. At this point, close to half of the country's states have instituted some form of restriction on travelers entering from out of state-whether they be quarantine or testing requirements, or some combination of both-in hopes of preventing the import of fresh infection from outside their borders. Here is a state-by-state breakdown of the interstate travel restrictions, or lack thereof, to be found throughout the union as we head into January 2021.

As of January 3, Alabama had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Alabama's official website.

All non-Alaskan residents over the age of ten who wish to bypass the state's mandatory 14-day quarantine will need to take a molecular-based COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their departure and upload their negative results into the Alaska Travel Portal; as well as submitting a Travel Declaration and Self-Isolation Plan through the Portal. Those who are still awaiting their test results must upload proof that they've taken the test and then continue to quarantine until results are reported. Visitors who didn't test prior to traveling can take a test upon arrival at a cost of $250, but must quarantine at their own expense until results arrive. A second test, to be taken between five and 14 days after arrival, is recommended, but not required.

*For more detailed and local information, check Alaska's official website.

As of January 3, Arizona had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Arizona's official website.

As of January 3, Arkansas had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Arkansas' official website.

While California doesn't have statewide restrictions on inbound travelers, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a regional stay-at-home order on December 3 to curb the fast-moving spread of COVID-19. It specifies that "no hotel or lodging entity in California shall accept or honor out of state reservations for non-essential travel" unless the reservation is made for a stay of at least 14 days, during which guests will quarantine in their accommodations.

-San Francisco has ordered a mandatory, 10-day quarantine for travelers coming from outside the nine-county Bay Area region.

-In Santa Clara County, travelers originating from more than 150 miles away must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.

-Out-of-state visitors over the age of 16 traveling to Los Angeles County must fill out this online form, acknowledging that they have read and understood the L.A. County Department of Public Health's travel requirement and the state of California's Travel Advisory. Failure to submit this form prior to or upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, Van Nuys Airport, or Union Station is punishable by a fine of up to $500.

Those who intend to visit California should continue to monitor the latest local restrictions for their destination city.

*For more detailed and local information, check California's official website.

While Colorado doesn't have statewide travel restrictions, Pitkin County (home to ski resort towns Aspen and Snowmass) set its own requirements, as of December 14. Travelers spending one or more nights in the area must complete a Pitkin County Traveler Affidavit, and those aged 10 or over are required to have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Visitors may also test once they're in Pitkin County but must quarantine until results arrive. NAAT or PCR tests are preferred, but antigen tests will also be accepted. Those without a test must quarantine for a full 10 days.

*For more detailed and local information, check Colorado's official website or Pitkin County's website.

Travelers entering Connecticut from any state besides New Jersey, New York or Rhode Island must quarantine for 10 days and complete the Connecticut Travel Health Form upon arrival.

-Travelers can bypass the quarantine requirement by taking a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of entering Connecticut and receiving a negative result. They may also test after arrival, but must remain quarantined pending the arrival of test results.

-Failure to submit the Travel Health Form or to complete testing/quarantine could result in a civil penalty of $500 per violation.

*For more local and detailed information, check Connecticut's official website.

As of January 3, Delaware had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Delaware's official website.

As of January 3, Florida had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more local and detailed information, check Florida's official website.

As of January 3, Georgia had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Georgia's official website.

Hawaii's Pre-Travel Testing Program allows passengers to bypass the state's mandatory 10-day quarantine period by taking a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from CLIA-certified laboratory within 72 hours of their arrival.

-Interstate travelers must upload their test results to the state's online Safe Travels form and complete a health questionnaire within 24 hours of departure. They'll then receive a QR code via email to present to airport screeners upon arrival.

-Travelers are required to have their negative test results on hand prior to their departure if they want to skip Hawaii's mandatory quarantine.

-At least 25 percent of travelers who use the Pre-Travel Testing option will also be randomly selected to receive a non-optional second test upon arrival at the airport, free of charge.

-Failure to comply with Hawaii's quarantine or approved testing requirements are subject to a fine of up to $5,000 or one year in prison.

-*Kauai has deviated from statewide requirements, so visitors generally will have to isolate for the full 10-day quarantine period. However, effective January 5, Kauai will implement a pre- and post-travel testing program for visitors who stay in designated "resort bubble" hotels. Travelers must test negative within 72 hours prior to arriving on the island, then may freely enjoy resort amenities before testing again 72 hours after their arrival. If the second test is also negative, the traveler will be released from quarantine and can leave the "resort bubble".

*For more detailed and local information, check Hawaii's official website.

As of January 3, Idaho had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Idaho's official website.

While Illinois doesn't have statewide travel restrictions, Chicago's Emergency Travel Order applies to anyone entering or returning to the city from states identified as having a significant degree of community-wide COVID-19 spread. As of the latest update on December 29, the Travel Order applies to 48 states and two U.S. territories.

-Those coming from any state designated "Orange" must obtain a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Chicago or quarantine for a 10-day period (or the duration of their time in Chicago, whichever is shorter).

-Anyone traveling from a state on the "Red" list must quarantine for a 10-day period or the duration of their time in Chicago, whichever is shorter.

*For more detailed and local information, check Chicago's official website and Illinois' travel guidance.

As of January 3, Indiana had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Indiana's official website.

As of January 3, Iowa had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Iowa's official website.

Visitors to Kansas who have either been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020; and those who attended mass gatherings or events (500 people or more) where attendees did not socially distance (six feet apart) and wear masks must quarantine upon arrival. Travelers who meet either of these criteria must isolate from seven to 10 days, depending upon whether or not they get tested for COVID-19 on Day Six of their quarantine. Those who receive a negative result after testing on their sixth day will be released from quarantine on Day eight, instead of Day 11.

*For more detailed and local information, check Kansas' official website.

As of January 3, Kentucky had no statewide travel restrictions, although the state Public Health department is discouraging out-of-state leisure travel and urging residents who choose to travel to quarantine for 14 days upon their return or follow CDC guidance for alternative options to shorten the quarantine period.

*For more detailed and local information, check Kentucky's official website.

As of January 3, Louisiana had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Louisiana's official website.

Travelers to Maine will need to either quarantine for a full 10 days or produce negative results from a COVID-19 test performed no longer than 72 hours prior to arrival. Both PCR and antigen tests are acceptable. Visitors will also need to complete a Certificate of Compliance form indicating they have received a negative test result, that they will quarantine as ordered or that they have already completed their quarantine. Only residents of New Hampshire and Vermont are exempted from Maine's testing and quarantine requirements.

*For more detailed and local information, check Maine's official website.

In mid-December, Maryland introduced new testing and quarantine requirements for travelers and residents returning from out of state. They are now required to either complete a 10-day quarantine, or get tested for COVID-19 in the 72 hours leading up to their arrival or immediately upon arrival, and receive a negative result. Travelers are also encouraged to test a second time at least 72 hours after entering Maryland. Those coming from Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. are exempt from this order.

*For more detailed and local information, check Maryland's official website.

Anyone over the age of 10 entering Massachusetts from a high-risk state (defined as having 10 or more daily cases per 100,000 people) must fill out and submit the Massachusetts Travel Form and complete a 10-day quarantine. As of January 3, Hawaii remains the only U.S. jurisdiction that is considered low-risk and therefore isn't subject to travel restrictions.

There is also an option to bypass quarantine by providing proof of your negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test administered no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in the state. Failure to comply with these rules could result in a civil fine, assessed at $500 per day.

*For more detailed and local information, check Massachusetts' official website.

As of January 3, Michigan had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Michigan's official website.

As of January 3, Minnesota had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors, but the state health department writes that "any unnecessary travel is highly discouraged".

*For more detailed and local information, check Minnesota's official website.

As of January 3, Mississippi had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Mississippi's official website.

As of January 3, Missouri had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Missouri's official website.

As of January 3, Montana had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Montana's official website.

As of January 3, Nebraska had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Nebraska's official website.

As of January 3, Nevada had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Nevada's official website.

Visitors to New Hampshire who are coming from states outside of New England (Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut or Rhode Island) will need to self-quarantine for 10 days. There is, however, a "test-out" provision, which allows those who are asymptomatic and obtain a negative PCR test on or after day seven of quarantining to end their isolation early.

*For more detailed and local information, check New Hampshire's official website.

Returning residents and travelers coming from any U.S. state or territory beyond New Jersey's immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware) are advised to self-quarantine at their home, hotel or other lodgings for 10 days if they haven't been tested or test results are pending. Those who take a viral COVID-19 test prior to arrival in New Jersey and receive negative results should still quarantine for a full seven days.

*For more detailed and local information, check New Jersey's official website.

Anyone traveling to New Mexico from states or territories that are deemed high-risk must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. High-risk states are defined as having a five-percent or higher positivity rate or a positive test rate higher than 80 per one million residents, as measured over a 7-day rolling average). As of the list's most recent update on December 30, all U.S. states and jurisdictions were considered to be high-risk.

*For more detailed and local information, check New Mexico's official website.

Visitors entering from all U.S. states and territories that are noncontiguous with New York state (all those other than Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont) must complete a mandatory 10-day quarantine or follow steps to "test out". To do so, inbound visitors or returning residents will need to take a COVID-19 within 72 hours of arrival in New York. They must then quarantine for three days upon arrival in New York and then test again on Day Four. If the results of both these tests are negative, the traveler may then exit quarantine.

-Travelers from states that are contiguous with New York are exempt from its Travel Advisory.

-Travelers subject to this advisory must also complete a Traveler Health Form. Any arrivals who exit the airport without completing the form are subject to a $10,000 fine. Those entering New York via other means of transport, including cars, buses and trains, must fill out the form online.

*For more detailed and local information, check New York's official website.

As of January 3, North Carolina had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check North Carolina's official website.

As of January 3, North Dakota had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check North Dakota's official website.

Travelers entering Ohio from states reporting positive testing rates of 15 percent or higher (as calculated on a seven-day rolling average) are "advised" to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. As of the list's latest update on December 30, there were 14 impacted states. The list of affected states is updated online each Wednesday.

*For more detailed and local information, check Ohio's official website.

As of January 3, Oklahoma had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Oklahoma's official website.

In December, Oregon, California and Washington jointly issued a travel advisory which includes a recommendation that out-of-state travelers and returning residents should quarantine themselves for 14 days after arrival in the state.

*For more detailed and local information, check Oregon's official website.

Travelers entering Pennsylvania, including returning residents, are now required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival, or to have taken a COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entry and received a negative result. The order is enforceable as a disease control measure under the Disease Prevention and Control Law, and those who fail to comply may be fined up to $300.

*For more detailed and local information, check Pennsylvania's official website.

Anyone coming to Rhode Island from states having a COVID-19 positivity rate higher than five-percent must quarantine for 14 days or provide proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in the state.

-Rhode Island's 'restricted states' roster, last updated on December 28, includes 45 states and territories.

-Out-of-state visitors must also complete a certificate of compliance and an out-of-state travel screening form upon arriving in Rhode Island.

*For more detailed and local information, check Rhode Island's official website.

As of January 3, South Carolina had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check South Carolina's official website.

As of January 3, South Dakota had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check South Dakota's official website.

As of January 3, Tennessee had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Tennessee's official website.

As of January 3, Texas had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Texas' official website.

As of January 3, Utah had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Utah's official website.

Anyone entering Vermont from out of state, including returning residents, must either complete a 14-day quarantine, or take a COVID-19 PCR test on or after Day Seven to end their quarantine early through a negative test result.

-Travelers entering Vermont in a personal vehicle are afforded the option to complete their quarantine and testing requirements in their own state, prior to travel, in order to be allowed to move freely upon their arrival in Vermont.

-Travelers entering Vermont who have not completed a pre-arrival quarantine must complete either a 14-day quarantine or a seven-day quarantine followed by a negative test.

-All out-of-state travelers utilizing lodging, camping and short-term rental properties must sign a Certificate of Compliance or affirm a compliance statement via a digital check box at the time of reservation and check-in attesting that they meet the quarantine requirements.

*For more detailed and local information, check Vermont's official website.

As of January 3, Virginia had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Virginia's official website.

As of January 3, Washington had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Washington's official website.

As of January 3, West Virginia had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check West Virginia's official website.

As of January 3, Wisconsin had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Wisconsin's official website.

As of January 3, Wyoming had no statewide travel restrictions in place for U.S. visitors.

*For more detailed and local information, check Wyoming's official website.