Editor’s Note — Coronavirus cases remain high across the world. Health officials caution against travel unless you’re fully vaccinated. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated on March 12.
(CNN) — If you’re planning to travel to the United States, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The latest
The Transportation Security Administration is set to extend the federal public transportation mask mandate until April 18. The mandate is one of the last remaining broad requirements that Americans wear masks in public places. It applies to mass transportation including planes, trains, buses and hubs such as airports.
The basics
After restrictive, nation-specific closures throughout much the pandemic, the United States reopened its borders to fully vaccinated visitors on November 8, 2021.
What’s on offer
The size and scope of the United States gives travelers so many choices.
There are awe-inspiring landscapes (Alaska, Utah and the Maine coastline) and world-renowned city breaks (New York City, Las Vegas and Los Angeles).
There’s cultural variety (Boston, Memphis and San Francisco) and delicious food (Chicago, New Orleans and Charleston).
Finally, it has some of the world’s best road trips (California Highway 1, Route 66 and the Blue Ridge Parkway).
Who can go
The United States no longer has any Covid-related travel bans in place against specific countries.
Visitors 18 and older who are not US citizens, US nationals, lawful permanent residents or green card holders must be fully vaccinated to enter. Children 17 and younger are exempt. Click here for other exceptions.
What are the restrictions?
To be considered fully vaccinated, travelers must have received their second dose (or one dose for a single-dose vaccine) 14 days before arrival.
As of March 12, boosters were not required to be considered fully vaccinated.
The vaccine must either be approved by the US Federal Drug Administration or must have an emergency use listing from the World Health Organization (such as Astrazeneca). Mixed dose vaccinations will also be accepted. Find the complete list of accepted vaccines here, along with acceptable ways to prove vaccination.
All air passengers 2 or older with a flight departing to the United States from a foreign country are required to show a negative result from a Covid-19 viral test taken no more than one day before travel or present documentation of having recovered from Covid-19 in the past 90 days before they board their flight.
There are no exceptions for US citizens or the fully vaccinated on the testing requirement. Find out more about testing here.
The vaccination requirement does not apply to US citizens, lawful permanent residents or US nationals.
Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is still required in indoor areas of public transportation, including on airplanes, buses, trains and other forms of public transit. Learn more about this requirement here under the “During Travel / Masks” header.
What’s the Covid situation?
Since the pandemic began in 2020, there have been more than 79.5 million total cases and more than 967,000 deaths in the United States (as of March 12). Find out more details with CNN’s Covid tracker.
As of March 12, more than 556.4 million doses of vaccine have been administered across the country. That translates to 168 doses per hundred people. You can get CNN’s state-by-state breakdown here.
What can visitors expect?
The United States is now almost entirely open for places that tourists typically enjoy: national and state parks, museums, restaurants, entertainment venues, theme parks and such.
It’s important to check the rules of your destinations before travel. This CNN guide provides links to Covid rules and safety information for each state.
Popular tourist spots are easing or dropping many of their last Covid-19 restrictions:
• New York City: The Key to NYC requirements lifted on March 7. Proof of vaccination is no longer required for patrons of the city’s indoor dining, fitness and entertainment venues. Find out more about visiting New York City here.
• Hawaii: The Aloha State will be dropping its statewide mask mandate for indoor settings at 11:59 p.m. March 25. The mandate will come to an end on the same day Hawaii’s Safe Travels program is set to expire. Find out more about Hawaii here.
• Puerto Rico: The US territory of Puerto Rico no longer requires that domestic travelers provide proof of vaccination or take a Covid-19 test before arrival, according to Discover Puerto Rico. Entry rules for international travel are the same as for the United States.
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CNN’s Forrest Brown and Marnie Hunter contributed to this article.
