INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
BEFORE TRAVEL
Make sure you are up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines, including booster shots. Regardless of vaccine status, consider getting tested for current infection with a viral test at no more than 3 days before travel.
Consider packing several home antigen tests in case you develop symptoms or have a high-risk exposure during your travels. Visit kp.org/covidtests for easy ways to get self-tests.
Check the current COVID-19 situation in your destination. Make sure you understand and follow all airline and destination requirements related to travel, testing, or quarantine, which may differ from U.S. requirements. If you do not follow your destination’s requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the United States.
If you are immune-compromised or taking a medication that weakens your immune system, you may not be fully protected even if you are up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk before travel and consider delaying travel to areas with high COVID-19 levels. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions. Click here for more information.
Non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: You must show proof of being fully vaccinated with the primary series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine before you board your flight to the United States. Only limited exceptions apply.
Do not travel if:
- You have COVID-19 symptoms.
- You tested positive for COVID-19.
- You are waiting on the results of a COVID-19 test.
- You had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and are recommended to quarantine.
Please schedule a travel consultation to discuss additional preventative vaccines and medicines appropriate for your destination: 206-326-3488.
DURING TRAVEL
Although masking is currently optional, we recommend everyone 2 years and older wear a mask during travel, including in airports and other transportation hubs, and on airplanes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation.
In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor and outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
You should also:
- Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet from anyone who is not traveling with you.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
- Monitor your symptoms. If symptomatic, get tested and isolate.
- Follow all recommendations and requirements at your destination, including mask wearing and social distancing.
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms during travel, isolate and take a home antigen test. If your test result is negative, repeat the test again after 24-48 hours.
If you test positive, do not travel for 10 days from the time symptoms first appeared, AND your symptoms have improved AND you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications.
Learn what to do and when it is safe to be around others.
BEFORE RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES
The CDC no longer requires air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the U.S. to show a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight.
However, the CDC does recommend you consider getting tested with a viral test as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) before travel.
If you already had COVID-19 within the past 90 days, see specific testing recommendations.
If you test positive before leaving your destination and do not have symptoms, Isolate and do not travel for 10 days.
Learn what to do and when it is safe to be around others.
AFTER TRAVEL
All travelers:
- Recommend getting tested for current infection with a COVID-19 viral test 3-5 days after arrival.
- Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
- Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 10 days.
- Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel.
You may order your COVID-19 post-travel test through an e-visit, or the Kaiser Permanente Washington mobile app. If you do not have an account, please call 1-877-828-4510 to speak with a representative about setting up COVID-19 post-travel testing.