US State Travel Restrictions: December's Latest COVID-19 Requirements

With a only week left until Christmas and New Years' following close behind, it's safe to say that plenty of Americans will sojourn to celebrate family and friends, even if it's just for a small, private gathering. But, with record numbers of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths occurring all around the country, some states are discouraging interstate travel in an effort to slow the spread.

If you have your heart set on traveling across state borders this holiday season, be sure to investigate your destination's requirements regarding testing and quarantine so that you can plan accordingly. Here's a breakdown of the U.S. states with various travel restrictions as we finish out 2020.

Travelers to Alaska wishing to bypass the 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. Those still awaiting test results must upload proof that they took the test and then quarantine until results arrive. Visitors who didn't test prior to travel 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 a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's 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. In it, a crucial clause 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. Those who intend to visit California should continue to monitor the latest local restrictions for their destination city.

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

Travelers entering Connecticut from any state that has a daily positive testing rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or with an overall positivity rate that's higher than a 10-percent as measured over a seven-day rolling average must quarantine for 14 days from the time of last contact within the affected state.

-As of December 17, the list of impacted areas currently includes all U.S. states and territories, except for New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Hawaii.

-Anyone entering from one of the affected states must fill out a Connecticut Travel Health Form upon arrival. Failure to submit the form or to complete quarantine could result in a civil penalty of $500 per violation.

*A full list of impacted areas, answers to FAQs and more details are available on Connecticut'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 are required to have their negative test results on hand prior to their departure if they want to skip Hawaii's mandatory quarantine.

-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.

-One notable exception-Kauai has opted out of participation in this program, so visitors will have to isolate for the full isolation period.

-In a bit of good news-as of December 15, Hawaii has reduced its quarantine requirement from 14 days to 10 days, to align with the CDC's latest guidelines.

*For a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state'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 December 17, the Travel Order applies to 49 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 a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out Chicago's official website.

Visitors to Kansas who meet certain criteria will need to quarantine upon arrival, but their quarantine duration can vary from seven to 10 days, depending upon whether or not they get testing for COVID-19. As of December 17, quarantine rules apply to those who have:

-Attended out-of-state mass gatherings or events of 500 people or more where individuals did not socially distance (six feet apart) and wear masks.

-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.

Travelers to Maine will need to either produce negative results from a COVID-19 test performed no longer than 72 hours prior to arrival or quarantine for a full 10 days.

Visitors will also need to complete a Certificate of Compliance form indicating they have received a negative test result, that they will quarantine 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 a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state's official website.

Anyone entering Massachusetts from high-risk states (defined as 10 or more daily cases per 100,000 people) must fill out and submit the Massachusetts Travel Form and complete a 14-day quarantine. As of December 17, Hawaii remains the only U.S. jurisdiction that is considered low-risk and isn't subject to travel restrictions.

There is an option to bypass quarantine for those who can provide proof of negative results from a COVID-19 test administered no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival. Failure to comply with these rules could result in a civil fine, assessed at $500 per day.

*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 (i.e., Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut or Rhode Island) 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 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 (i.e., 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 with negative results should quarantine for a full seven days.

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

Anyone traveling to New Mexico from states or territories that are deemed high-risk must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. As of December 17, there are currently no U.S. states that are not considered high-risk by the state.

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

Travelers from states that are contiguous with New York are exempt from its Travel Advisory. Visitors entering from states and territories that are noncontiguous with New York must complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Those who are subject to regulations have the option to "test out" of quarantine by taking a test at their origin point within 72 hours of departure for 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 covered under this advisory must also complete a Traveler Health Form. Anyone who leaves the airport after arriving without completing the form is 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 a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state'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, but not required, to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. As of December 17, there are currently 14 impacted states. The list of affected states is updated each Wednesday, using the previous day's data.

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

Travelers entering Pennsylvania, including returning residents, are now required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival or to arrive carrying their negative results from a COVID-19 test performed within the 72 hours prior to entry. 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 a full list of mandates, requirements and information, check out the state'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. Alternatively, they may provide proof of a COVID-19 test taken within the 72 hours leading up to their arrival that produced negative results. As of December 17, Rhode Island's 'restricted' roster included 46 states and territories, but an updated listing can always be found here. Out-of-state visitors must 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 entering Vermont from out of state, including returning residents, must either complete a 14-day quarantine or a seven-day quarantine followed by a negative test.

-Travelers entering Vermont in a personal vehicle may complete the quarantine and testing in their own state in order to move freely upon 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, while remaining inside a Vermont lodging establishment or private residence.

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

Anyone traveling to Washington D.C. from a state or jurisdiction that has more than 10 daily cases per 100,000 people must have negative results from a COVID-19 test administered no more than 72 hours prior to entry into the District. Those visiting for more than three days will need to test again, within three to five days after their arrival.

-Visitors from Maryland and Virginia are exempt.

-Those entering D.C. to attend a family emergency or a funeral do not need to obtain a negative test prior to arriving but must restrict their activities to those related to the emergency.

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