COVID-19 December Travel Restrictions: Latest Quarantine Rules for US States

As health experts continue to advise against non-essential travel amid the surge in coronavirus cases across the country, some states have implemented travel restrictions and testing and quarantining requirements for visitors in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19. Here's a breakdown of the states with restrictions in place heading into the final month of 2020.

Visitors to Alaska who want to avoid 14 days in 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. Travelers can also test upon arrival for $250 per test but will have to quarantine at their own expense until their results come back.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state'sofficial website.

While there are no statewide restrictions in California, Santa Clara County, which includes San Jose, has implemented mandatory quarantine for those traveling into the region from more than 150 miles away. With a new stay-at-home order likely on the way, travelers to California should continue to monitor the latest restrictions in their destination.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state'sofficial website.

Anyone traveling to Connecticut from a state with a positive case rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or higher than a 10 percent test positivity rate over a seven-day rolling average is directed to quarantine for at least 14 days. Currently, only residents of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Hawaii are exempt. Visitors to Connecticut from countries receiving a Level 3 Travel Health Notice from the CDC are also advised to self-isolate for two weeks. Travelers entering Connecticut must also complete a Connecticut Travel Health Form upon arrival.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Hawaii's Pre-Travel Testing Program allows passengers to bypass quarantine by taking a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified laboratory within 72 hours of arrival. As of November 24, travelers must have their negative COVID-19 test results in hand prior to departure to avoid self-isolation. If the results aren't available before boarding the final leg of the trip, the traveler must quarantine for 14 days or the length of the stay, whichever is shorter.

What's more, beginning December 2, Kauai will temporarily pause its participation in the program, requiring incoming trans-pacific and inter-county travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Under Chicago's Emergency Travel Order, anyone entering the city from 46 states and two territories is directed to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Chicago or quarantine for a 14-day period or the duration of their time in Chicago, whichever is shorter. Only visitors from Maine, Vermont and Hawaii are exempt.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out Chicago's official website.

Visitors to Kansas are advised to quarantine for 14 days if they meet one of the following criteria:

-Attended/traveled to mass gathering events out-of-state of 500 people or greater where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear masks

-Travel to or from South Dakota between November 4 - November 17

-Travel to or from Belgium and Czechia between November 4 - November 17

-Travel to or from North Dakota between October 21 - November 17

-Travel to or from the country of Andorra between October 21 - November 17

-Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Traveling to Maine this December will require a negative COVID-19 test result produced no more than 72 hours prior to arrival or 14 days in quarantine. Visitors will also need to complete a Certificate of Compliance form indicating they have received a negative result, that they will quarantine or that they have already completed their quarantine. Only residents of Vermont and New Hampshire are exempted from the aforementioned requirements.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

With the exception of Hawaii residents, Americans arriving in Massachusetts this winter must fill out and submit the Massachusetts Travel Form and quarantine for at least 14 days unless they can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken no longer than 72 hours prior to arrival.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Visitors to New Hampshire who are coming from states outside of New England-Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut or Rhode Island-need to self-quarantine for 14 days. If the traveler is asymptomatic and has a negative PCR test result on or after day seven of quarantining, they may shorten or end their quarantine.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Travelers 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 another temporary lodging for a minimum of 14 days.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Visitors to New Mexico from states deemed high-risk based on COVID-positivity rates are required to self-quarantine for 14 days or the duration of their stay in the state, whichever is shorter. Currently, only Hawaii is deemed low-risk.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Travelers visiting New York State from a noncontiguous state have the option to "test out" of the state's mandatory 14-day quarantine. To qualify, they must undergo a test within three days of departure and quarantine for three days upon arrival in New York. On the fourth day of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early. Travelers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont are exempt but must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form upon entry.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Travelers entering Ohio from states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15 percent or higher are advised to quarantine for 14 days. As of November 25, the list of impacted states includes Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Alabama, Missouri, Montana, Arizona, Utah, Mississippi, Oregon, Wisconsin and Tennessee.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

As of November 25, travelers over the age of 11 entering Pennsylvania need to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test to avoid self-quarantine for 14 days. "If choosing to quarantine or if waiting for test results, individuals should stay in their travel location for the full 14-day period or until they receive a negative test result," the Pennsylvania Department of Health states. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $300.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Vermont implemented a mandatory quarantine for anyone returning or traveling to the state on November 10. Visitors can quarantine for 14 days or self-isolate for seven days followed by a negative COVID-19 test. Travelers arriving to Vermont in a personal vehicle can complete either a 14-day quarantine or a seven-day quarantine followed by a negative test in their home state and enter Vermont without further quarantine restrictions.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Visitors to Rhode Island from states with a COVID-19 positivity rate of higher than 5 percent must quarantine for 14 days and self-monitor for symptoms unless they can provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. As of November 30, the list includes 43 states and Puerto Rico. Out-of-state visitors are also required to complete a certificate of compliance and an out-of-state travel screening form upon arriving in Rhode Island.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Anyone traveling into Washington, DC for more than 24 hours from a state or jurisdiction with more than 10 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people must get tested within 72 hours of travel. Visitors from Maryland and Virginia are exempted. Those visiting D.C. for more than three days should get tested again within 3-5 days of arrival.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the district's official website.