Cold Weather and Travel

"You don’t have to travel to the artic or high altitudes to feel the effects of cold temperatures. Learn how to avoid cold weather injuries and what to do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation due to the cold.

Most people get cold injuries because of accidents, severe unexpected weather, or poor planning. Take steps to avoid cold weather injuries.

• Wear warm clothing in several loose layers.
  • Wear a tightly woven, wind-resistant coat or jacket.
  • Wear inner layers of light, warm clothing as well as mittens, hats, and scarves.
• Make sure your equipment is appropriate for the weather, climate, and your activities.
  • In wet conditions, choose waterproof shoes that have good traction.
  • For water activities, choose an appropriately thick wet suit to prevent hypothermia.
  • Use personal flotation devices. They are lifesaving if someone becomes unable to swim due to injury or the cold.
• Stay dry, your body loses heat quickly when wet.
  • Sweat and wet clothing can chill the body rapidly and increase heat loss.
  • If you’re actively moving, remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm or start to sweat.
• Do not ignore shivering.
  • Shivering is an early sign that your body is losing heat.
  • Constant shivering is a sign you need to find shelter and get warm..."
    Cold weather travel 

Travel Advisories

"As a first step in planning any trip abroad, check the Travel Advisories for your intended destination. You can see the world at a glance on our color-coded map.

Note that conditions can change rapidly in a country at any time. To receive updated Travel Advisories and Alerts, choose the method that works best for you at travel.state.gov/stayingconnected

For more details and FAQs about our safety and security information, please see travel.state.gov/travelsafely..."
Travel checklist 

Domestic Travel During COVID-19

"Updated Information for Travelers

• Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19.
• People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States:
  • Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to get tested before or after travel unless their destination requires it
  • Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to self-quarantine
• Fully vaccinated travelers should still follow CDC’s recommendations for traveling safely including:
  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
  • Stay 6 feet from others and avoid crowds
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer

CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated, because travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s recommendations for unvaccinated people.

CDC will update these recommendations as more people are vaccinated, as rates of COVID-19 change, and as additional scientific evidence becomes available.

This guidance applies to travel within the United States and U.S. territories.

Domestic Travel Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People

People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States.

If you are fully vaccinated, take the following steps to protect others if you travel:

Have You Been Fully Vaccinated?

People are considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If you don’t meet these requirements, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

If you have a condition or are taking medication that weakens your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions.

• During Travel
  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
  • Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you.
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• After Travel
  • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
  • Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.

You do NOT need to get tested or self-quarantine if you are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months. You should still follow all other travel recommendations..."
Travel during COVID-19 

Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic

"Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

You can get COVID-19 during your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to others. You and your travel companions (including children) may spread COVID-19 to other people including your family, friends, and community for 14 days after you were exposed to the virus.

Don’t travel if you are sick or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Don’t travel with someone who is sick.

Wear Masks During Travel

CDC strongly recommends everyone wear a mask on public transportation.

This recommendation includes passengers and workers on airplanes, trains, ships, ferries, subways, taxis, and ride shares, and at transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Click here for more information. 

Holiday Travel

Find out how to keep yourself and your family safer when you celebrate fall and winter holidays.

If you are planning to travel for an upcoming holiday, see CDC’s information about Holiday Celebrations.

Before You Travel

Before you travel, consider the following:

• Is COVID-19 spreading at your destination?
  The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get infected during travel and spread the virus to others when you return.

• Check Each State’s Cases in the Last 7 Days
• Travel Recommendations for Destinations Around the World
• Do you live with someone who might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?
  If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the virus to loved ones when you return, even if you don’t have symptoms.
• Are you at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?
  Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes COVID-19, but older adults and people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• Does your destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers?
  Some state, local, and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring people to wear masks and requiring those who recently traveled to stay home for up to 14 days. Check state, territorial, tribal and local public health websites for information before you travel. If you are traveling internationally, check the destination’s Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health or the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information pageexternal icon for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers, such as mandatory testing or quarantine..."
  Travel and COVID-19 

Coronavirus and Travel in the United States Should I travel within the US?

"CDC does not generally issue advisories or restrictions for travel within the United States. However, cases of COVID-19 have been reported in many states, and some areas are experiencing community spread of the disease. Crowded travel settings, like airports, may increase your risk of exposure to COVID-19, if there are other travelers with COVID-19. There are several things you should consider when deciding whether it is safe for you to travel.

Things to consider before travel:

• Is COVID-19 spreading where you’re going?
  If COVID-19 is spreading at your destination, but not where you live, you may be at higher risk of exposure if you travel there.
• Will you or your travel companion(s) be in close contact with others during your trip?
  Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded settings, particularly closed-in settings with little air circulation, if there are people in the crowd who are sick. This may include settings such as conferences, public events (like concerts and sporting events), religious gatherings, public spaces (like movie theatres and shopping malls), and public transportation (like buses, metro, trains).
• Are you or your travel companion(s) at higher risk of severe illness if you do get COVID-19?
  People at higher risk for severe disease are older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions (such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes). CDC recommends that travelers at higher risk for COVID-19 complications avoid all cruise travel and nonessential air travel.
• Do you have a plan for taking time off from work or school, in case you get exposed to, or are sick with, COVID-19?
  If you have close contact with someone with COVID-19 during travel, you may be asked to stay home to self-monitor and avoid contact with others for up to 14 days after travel. If you become sick with COVID-19, you may be unable to go to work or school until you’re considered noninfectious. You will be asked to avoid contact with others (including being in public places) during this period of infectiousness.
• Do you live with someone who is older or has a severe chronic health condition?
  If you get sick with COVID-19 upon your return from travel, your household contacts may be at risk of infection. Household contacts who are older adults or have severe chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• Is COVID-19 spreading where you live?Consider the risk of passing COVID-19 to others during travel, particularly if you will be in close contact with people who are older adults or have severe chronic health condition These people are at higher risk of getting very sick. If your symptoms are mild or you don’t have a fever, you may not realize you are infectious.

Depending on your unique circumstances, you may choose to delay or cancel your plans. If you do decide to travel, be sure to practice precautions to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases during travel. For the most up-to-date COVID-19 travel information, visit CDC COVID-19 Travel page..."
Coronavirus and travel within U.S.

8 Ways to Prevent Sickness or Injury During Travel

"Once your trip has started, you want to be able to enjoy it! Getting sick or injured can quickly derail your fun. Keep your journey on track by following these travel tips.

#1 Be considerate of other people’s health. If you are sick, do NOT travel.

• Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself & your family from getting sick. Wash your hands with soap and water often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

#2 Road accidents

Accidents are the number one cause of injury and death among Americans while traveling.

• Always wear a seat belt and, don’t ride in vehicles that do not have them.
• When possible, hire a local driver. Ask your hotel for a trustworthy driver or taxi company.
• Do not ride with a driver who has been drinking.
• Do not drink and drive.
• Do not travel on overloaded buses or minibuses.
• Avoid traveling at night.
• Try to travel with others, not alone..."
  Travel and sickness

Influenza Prevention: Information for Travelers

"The risk for exposure to influenza during travel depends somewhat on the time of year and destination.

• In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season can begin as early as October and can last as late as April or May.
• In the temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere, influenza activity typically occurs during April – September.
• In the tropics, influenza activity occurs throughout the year.
• Travelers in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres can be exposed to influenza during months that fall outside of those listed above, especially when traveling as part of large tourist groups (e.g., on cruise ships) that include people from areas of the world where influenza viruses are circulating.

CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine yearly.

• Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine yearly, preferably in the fall before the U.S. flu season begins..."
  Influenza

CDC Yellow Book 2020

"Interested in the latest travel health recommendations? Check out the CDC Yellow Book, Health Information for International Travel, to answer your patients’, employees’, or your own travel health questions.

What is the Yellow Book?

We want all travelers to stay healthy while enjoying the sights, activities, and cultures of countries around the world. As travelers plan the details of their itinerary, clinicians can use the Yellow Book to help inform their health protection strategy.

The Yellow Book offers readers current U.S. government travel health guidelines, including pre-travel vaccine recommendations, destination-specific health advice, and easy-to-reference maps, tables, and charts.

Written by CDC’s travel health experts, the Yellow Book is intended as a reference for health care providers, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. Other audiences that find the Yellow Book to be a helpful resource include:

• Travel industry,
• Corporations and chief medical officers,
• Missionary and volunteer organizations,
• Americans who live abroad, and travelers taking short trips.

The Yellow Book contains numerous resources to assist health care professionals in making appropriate recommendations to their patients, before, during, and after international travel..."
Yellow book

Travel to the Extreme

"Is an off-the-grid adventure on your bucket list this year?

From frigid Antarctica to the uninhabited islands of the Pacific—be ready when you go where most do not. Learn about your risks and prepare for a fun and safe trip with CDC Travelers’ Health.

Adventure travel has become a popular way to explore new destinations and test your physical abilities. Adventure travel includes “extreme” activities such as mountaineering, backpacking, diving, surfing, bungee jumping, rafting, zip lining, and paragliding.
Many adventure travelers also enjoy skipping the tourist-filled areas and opting for harder-to-reach locales. Some of the best travel experiences can take place in the middle of nowhere. However, traveling to a far-flung destination for adventure can require a bit more prep work than a typical vacation.

Before You Go

Adventure activities, both at home and abroad, carry some risk of injury. Remote locations can pose additional risks:

• Limited or no access to medical care
• Unreliable communication that can delay emergency response
• Unexpected weather changes that can make safety more challenging and rescue efforts more difficult

Here are some healthy travel tips to know before you head off on your adventure:.."
Extreme places travel

Traveling Abroad with Medicine

"If you’re planning to bring your prescription or over-the-counter medicine on your trip, you need to make sure your medicine is travel-ready.

Many travelers must carry their medicines with them across international borders to treat chronic or serious health problems. However, each country has its own guidelines about which medicines are legal. Medicines that are commonly prescribed or available over the counter in the United States could be considered unlicensed or controlled substances in other countries. For example, in Japan, some inhalers and certain allergy and sinus medications are illegal. Also, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strict narcotics laws that have landed many travelers in prison.

While rules vary from country to country, there can be serious consequences if you violate the laws of the country you’re visiting. These consequences can range from confiscation (removal) of your medicine, which could harm your medical treatment, to stiff penalties, including imprisonment on charges for drug trafficking. To avoid medicine-related issues during your travel, follow these tips from CDC Travelers’ Health..."
travel with medicine

21 Tips for Traveling With Diabetes

"Don’t let good diabetes management go on vacation just because you did.
Traveling to new places gets you out of your routine—that’s a big part of the fun. But delayed meals, unfamiliar food, being more active than usual, and different time zones can all disrupt diabetes management. Plan ahead so you can count on more fun and less worry on the way and when you get to your destination.

Before You Go

1. Visit your doctor for a checkup to ensure you’re fit for the trip. Make sure to ask your doctor:
   • How your planned activities could affect your diabetes and what to do about it.
   • How to adjust your insulin doses if you’re traveling to a different time zone.
   • To provide prescriptions for your medicines in case you lose them or run out.
   • If you’ll need any vaccines.
   • To write a letter stating that you have diabetes and why you need your medical supplies.
2. Just in case, locate pharmacies and clinics close to where you’re staying.
3. Get a medical ID bracelet that states you have diabetes and any other health conditions.
4. Get travel insurance in case you miss your flight or need medical care.
5. Order a special meal for the flight that fits with your meal plan, or pack your own.
6. Packing:
   • Put your diabetes supplies in a carry-on bag (insulin could get too cold in your checked luggage). Think about bringing a smaller bag to have at your seat for insulin, glucose tablets, and snacks.
   • Pack twice as much medicine as you think you’ll need. Carry medicines in the pharmacy bottles they came in, or ask your pharmacist to print out extra labels you can attach to plastic bags.
   • Be sure to pack healthy snacks, like fruit, raw veggies, and nuts.
7. Airport security:
   • Get an optional TSA notification card[PDF – 23.8KB] to help the screening process go more quickly and smoothly.
   • Good news: people with diabetes are exempt from the 3.4 oz. liquid rule for medicines, fast-acting carbs like juice, and gel packs to keep insulin cool.
   • A continuous glucose monitor or insulin pump could be damaged going through the X-ray machine. You don’t have to disconnect from either; ask for a hand inspection instead..."
     Travel and diabetes

Prevent the Risk of STDs While Traveling

"What happens abroad may not always stay abroad. More than 1 million sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are acquired every day worldwide. You can prevent the risk of STDs when you travel with these healthy tips from CDC Travelers’ Health.

The excitement of being in another country and meeting new people may encourage travelers to do things they would not do at home, such as engaging in unprotected or casual sex with new partners. Travelers who have vaginal, anal, or oral sex are at risk for STDs, many of which may not have visible signs. Many STDs, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, are treatable, but if left untreated they can cause serious health problems. Some STDs, like herpes and HPV (human papillomavirus) infections, can spread through genital to genital contact and oral sex.."
STD and travel

Travel Insurance: Peace of Mind While You Travel

"If you are planning an international trip, you should consider getting travel insurance to cover yourself against accidents or illness while you’re abroad. Even if you already have medical insurance back home, it may not cover you when traveling outside the United States, or if it does cover you that coverage may not be enough.

There are 3 types of insurance you should consider: trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance, and medical evacuation insurance. These will cover different situations and may give you financial peace of mind, as well as allowing for safe and healthy travel.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance covers your financial investment in your trip, such as flights, cruises, or train tickets. Carefully examine the policy to make sure that it covers what you need it to cover, including cancellation if you or a close family member gets sick. Depending on the policy, trip cancellation insurance might not cover any medical care you need overseas, so you may need a separate travel health insurance policy.

Trip cancellation insurance might help ensure you are able to make a last-minute cancellation or change your itinerary in the event of an international outbreak, such as the current outbreak of Zika. Be sure to check the fine print to see if your coverage includes disease outbreaks at intended travel destinations and what any restrictions might be..."
Travel insurance

Summer Travel 2017

"School is out, work in the office is quieting down, and cold temperatures are a distant memory. It’s time to relax and enjoy the warm, sunny weather. If international travel is part of your summer plans, the CDC Travelers’ Health website is a great first stop to get prepared.

Before You Go

• Visit your doctor or a travel medicine specialist, ideally 4–6 weeks before your trip, to get any vaccines or medicines you may need. Go to the Destinations website to check the vaccines and medicines list specific to your destination. Even if you are leaving soon, a visit to a travel medicine doctor is valuable. The doctor can counsel you on ways you can reduce your risk of getting sick or hurt while traveling.
• Pack a Travel Health Kit. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, sunscreen, alcohol-based sanitizer, first aid supplies, health insurance card, insect repellent, and condoms.
• Check for any current Travel Health Notices. These notices will inform you about health issues related to disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, natural disasters, or other conditions at your destination.
• Check the US Department of State website for information on security risks. Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the US embassy or consulate can contact you in an emergency...."

Summer Travel

Travel and Vaccines

"Make sure you are up to date on all recommended vaccinations before traveling abroad.

Some types of international travel, especially to developing countries and rural areas, may have higher health risks. These risks depend on a number of things including:

• Where you are traveling.
• Your activities while traveling.
• The state of your health.
• Your vaccination history.

Many vaccine-preventable diseases that have become rare in the United States, such as measles and pertussis, are still common in other parts of the world. Certain activities, such as attending crowded events, can increase the spread of infectious disease. No matter where you plan to go, you should get recommended vaccines to lower the chances for getting and spreading disease..."
Travel smart

International Travel with Your Pet

"Taking your dog or cat on a flight abroad? Make sure you have your pet’s documents when traveling internationally and returning home to the United States. Leave yourself plenty of time before the trip to take care of your pet’s required medical care and paperwork. Remember to start the process early.

First Stop—Your Vet’s Office

If you are traveling internationally, tell your veterinarian about your plans as soon as possible. Together, you can make sure your pet meets the requirements for your destination country and is healthy enough to travel. Requirements may include:

• Blood tests
• Vaccinations
• Microchips for identification

Airlines and countries often have different requirements, so make sure you know what the specific ones are.."
Pets and travel

Travel and natural disasters

"Although rare, natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, tornadoes, or earthquakes could occur while you are on a trip. Natural disasters can seriously injure large numbers of people, contribute to the spread of some diseases, disrupt sanitation, and interrupt normal public services. Travelers should be familiar with risks for natural disasters at their destination and local warning systems, evacuation routes, and shelters.

Be Prepared

• Be informed, make a plan, make a kit:
  • Be informed: know what type of emergencies happen in the area where you are traveling.
  • Make a plan: have safe places identified for your family and others with whom you are traveling to meet if separated, and make sure you know how to let them know you are okay.
  • Make a kit: your travel health kit should include first-aid supplies, copies of important documents (such as passport or prescriptions), and a list of emergency contacts..."
    Travel and disasters

Healthy Student Travel

"Prepare for a safe and healthy study abroad experience by following CDC's travel health tips for students.

Missing out on a unique cultural experience because you're stuck in bed with a travel-related illness or injury is probably not part of your plan for a great study-abroad experience. Fortunately, CDC is here to help! In celebration of International Education Week (November 14–18), we've put together a "study guide" to help you prepare for safe and healthy travel..."

Student travel