A Guide to All 50 States’ COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
Below is a state-by-state breakdown of what travelers need to know about quarantine rules and travel restrictions if they’re planning a trip. For the number of coronavirus cases in each state and local protocols, please see their official state or health department websites listed for the most updated information.
Alabama
Alabama Department of Public Health
On Aug. 13, Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency when the state’s intensive care units were filled to 95 percent capacity and Alabama’s hospitals were under “extreme stress” from the increase in Covid-19 cases. The order eases hospitals’ ability to hire temporary staff and create space for coronavirus patients, and allows public meetings to take place virtually. The state’s Safer Apart order, which curtailed certain public gatherings, expired on May 31. The state’s mask mandate and all capacity restrictions have not been reinstated. .
Alaska
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Alaska entered phase three of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan” on May 22, 2020, allowing most businesses to reopen at full capacity. Large gatherings are permitted in the state, but some cities have implemented additional restrictions. In Juneau, masks must be worn indoors by everyone regardless of vaccination status. Indoor gatherings are limited to 20 people and masks are required if unvaccinated people are present. If everyone is fully vaccinated, there are no capacity limits. Restaurants and bars have a 50 percent capacity limit and must close at 11 p.m. Gyms are also capped at 50 percent, and only fully vaccinated people can participate in indoor classes.
Alaska has no testing requirements for travelers. However, it is recommended that unvaccinated travelers test prior to travel or get tested at one of the primary ports of entry. As of June 1, all visitors are eligible to receive a free Covid-19 vaccine in Alaska, including at participating airports.
Arizona
Arizona Department of Health Services
Vaccine passports and mask mandates are banned in Arizona. Gov. Doug Ducey lifted occupancy restrictions on restaurants, bars and theaters on March 5. On March 25, Arizona’s businesses were authorized to resume normal operations. All mandatory restrictions have now been transitioned to recommendations. The Arizona Department of Health Services has developed a detailed list of Covid-safety recommendations for private events.
Arkansas
State of Arkansas COVID-19 website
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a bill that bans state and local mask mandates. On Feb. 26, Gov. Hutchinson lifted restrictions on restaurants, bars and large venues, allowing them to resume operations at full capacity. In addition, indoor and outdoor venues are no longer required to submit event plans to the Arkansas Department of Health for approval. Both local and state governments are prohibited from requiring proof of vaccination, including vaccine passports.
California
Los Angeles County will require proof of vaccination for indoor bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs and lounges. The mandate, which will be issued by Sept. 17, requires employees and customers to have one dose by Oct. 7 and to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 4. Starting Oct. 7, workers and attendees of outdoor events with more than 10,000 people must provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test. Effective Sept. 20, California requires proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test to attend indoor events with 1,000 people or more. In response to rising cases and an increasing presence of the highly contagious Delta variant, San Francisco now requires proof of vaccination for all large indoor events and for certain indoor businesses. Attendees at public and private indoor events in the city with 1,000 people or more must show proof of full vaccination prior to entry. These gatherings can accept proof of a negative Covid-19 test result in place of full vaccination.
Proof of vaccination also is required at San Francisco bars, restaurants, clubs and gyms. The requirement will go into effect for staff members of such venues on Oct. 13.
Mask mandates have also been reinstated in some areas, including Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Colorado
Official State of Colorado COVID-19 Info
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has extended the public health order until Oct. 1. Under the order, age and vaccination status must be included in reports, to track breakthrough cases. Colorado’s dial framework of Covid-19 restrictions expired on April 16, and counties can now set their own Covid-19 measures. In Denver, there are no capacity limits or restrictions on outdoor events. Indoor events with more than 2,000 people must be approved by the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.
Connecticut
A townwide mask mandate for indoor spaces in South Windsor went into effect on Aug. 20. Mask mandates in Fairfield, Westport and Eaton began on Aug. 23. They join a growing list of towns that have already issued mandates, including New Haven, Stamford, Hartford, Bridgeport, Norwalk and Danbury. Municipality leaders have called for Gov. Ned Lamont to issue a statewide mask mandate.
Previously, Gov. Lamont lifted most business restrictions on May 19. Masks are not required to be worn outdoors, but unvaccinated people must continue to wear masks indoors.
Delaware
Delaware Division of Public Health, Coronavirus Response
The state of emergency in Delaware expired on July 13. Gov. John Carney issued a public-health emergency on July 12, and extended it on Sept. 8, to keep the state’s testing and vaccination programs running. Capacity restrictions have been lifted for restaurants, stores and other businesses.
District of Columbia
Washington D.C. COVID-19 website
Mayor Muriel Bowser reinstated the district’s mask mandate on July 31. Everyone over the age of 2 once again is required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces. All capacity limits for meetings, restaurants and museums were eliminated on June 11.
Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on May 3 that suspends all local Covid-19 restrictions, including mask mandates. Businesses, however, still can require patrons to wear face coverings.
Georgia
Georgia Department of Economic Development
Indoor mask mandates are in effect in Atlanta, Decatur and Athens. Vaccine passports are banned in Georgia. Covid-19 restrictions have been eliminated for restaurants, bars, conventions, live venues and most other businesses.
Hawaii
Hawai‘i State Department of Health
On Sept. 13, Oahu began requiring proof of vaccination for indoor venues, including restaurants, bars, museums and gyms. Maui will do the same starting Sept. 15. To simplify vaccination verification, Hawaii has introduced a digital health pass called the Hawaii SMART Health Card.
Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi has banned large gatherings on the island of Oahu, effective Aug. 25 through Sept. 22. The ban might be extended if needed. Gatherings are only permitted for up to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Any larger events that had previously received city approval to be held during this time must be cancelled.
Idaho
Idaho is in the final stage of Gov. Brad Little’s four-phase reopening plan. Gatherings of any size are permitted. Event organizers are encouraged to implement physical distancing and safety protocols.
Illinois
Illinois Department of Public Health
A statewide indoor mask mandate took effect on Aug. 30. All residents, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear face coverings in indoor public settings. Masks are also recommended in crowded outdoor spaces and for outdoor activities that require close contact with people who are not vaccinated.
Indiana
As of April 6, all decisions about venue capacity and social-gathering restrictions are in the hands of local officials. Also on this date, the state’s face-covering mandate became a mask advisory. Gov. Holcomb has banned vaccine passports in the state of Indiana.
Iowa
Gov. Kim Reynolds lifted the state’s mask mandate and other Covid-19 restrictions on Feb. 7. There are no limits on gathering sizes. In May, Reynolds signed a bill banning government entities, private businesses and public venues from requiring vaccine passports. She also signed legislation banning schools and local governments from issuing a mask mandate.
Kansas
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Those who are unvaccinated must quarantine upon arrival in Kansas if they have attended a gathering of 500 people or more and were not wearing a mask or social distancing, if they were on a cruise, or if they traveled to certain countries. The statewide mask mandate was revoked on March 31.
Kentucky
Kentucky fully reopened on June 11, ending capacity limits and its mask mandate.
Louisiana
Louisiana Department of Health
A statewide indoor mask mandate is in effect in Louisiana, with both vaccinated and unvaccinated people required to wear face coverings indoors. New Orleans is in a modified phase-three stage of reopening. As of Aug. 16, proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test is required at most indoor venues in Orleans Parish and at outdoor events with more than 500 people. Bars, restaurants and museums can operate at 100 percent capacity. There are no capacity restrictions on indoor meetings, as long as masks are worn. Meanwhile, outdoor meetings are permitted at 75 percent capacity without masks and social distancing, at 100 percent capacity with masks required, or at 100 percent capacity without masks if all participants provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test.
Maine
State of Maine COVID-19 Response
Janet Mills lifted capacity limits and physical-distancing requirements on both indoor and outdoor gatherings on May 24 under the Moving Maine Forward Plan.
Maryland
Indoor mask mandates are in effect in Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Charles County. Effective May 15, Gov. Larry Hogan ended the statewide mask mandate and lifted all capacity restrictions on outdoor entertainment, art and sports venues, and indoor entertainment venues and conventions. Capacity limits on restaurants, bars and casinos also have been terminated.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts COVID-19 website
Mask mandates have been reinstated for indoor public settings in Boston, Belmont, Nantucket, Northampton, Salem, Truro and Wellfleet. All other Covid-19 restrictions were lifted on May 29. The gathering limit has been rescinded and all industries, including casinos, are able to operate at full capacity. Face coverings still are required on public transportation.
Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ended all Covid-19 restriction on businesses and gatherings on June 22. In addition, face masks are no longer required.
Minnesota
All statewide Covid restrictions were terminated on May 28, including capacity limits and distancing requirements. The mask mandate has also been lifted.
Mississippi
Mississippi State Department of Health
On March 3, Gov. Tate Reeves lifted Mississippi’s mask mandate and increased capacities for all businesses to 100 percent. There are no restrictions on gatherings.
Missouri
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
There are no statewide Covid-19 restrictions, but Kansas City and St. Louis have reinstated indoor mask mandates. Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill on June 15 that limits the duration of local restrictions and bans local governments from requiring proof of vaccination to use public facilities and transportation.
Montana
Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services
The statewide mask mandate was lifted on Feb. 12, along with capacity restrictions on businesses. There are no statewide limits on gatherings, although event organizers are advised to manage the event in a way that accommodates the CDC’s gathering guidelines. Vaccine passports are banned in Montana.
Nebraska
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Masks are required in indoor public settings in the city of Lincoln and surrounding Lancaster County through at least Sept. 30. Nebraska is in the green phase of reopening, with no restrictions on bars or restaurants. Indoor and outdoor gatherings are allowed at 100 percent capacity.
Nevada
State COVID-19 website: Nevada Health Response
Masks will not be necessary at large indoor events in cities like Las Vegas and Reno when the venue requires proof of vaccination for all attendees. Venues with a capacity of more than 4,000 people will be eligible for the exemption. Partially vaccinated people and children under 12 can attend events at these venues, but must wear a mask.
On July 27, Gov. Steve Sisolak imposed a mandate that requires everyone to wear a mask indoors in public spaces, even if they are vaccinated. The rule took effect at midnight on July 30 and covers 12 of the state’s counties, including Clark County, home to Las Vegas. The same day that the mask mandate was announced, Nevada reported 1,143 people hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases of Covid-19, which is just below the hospitalizations at this time last year during the peak of the second wave. Clark County also requires that venues hosting indoor gatherings with more than 250 people submit a Covid-19 plan for approval.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire COVID-19 website
As of May 8, all Covid-19 restrictions and guidance have been replaced with Universal Best Practices for individuals and businesses. The state’s mask mandate has also been lifted.
New Jersey
New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub
Gov. Phil Murphy lifted the state’s indoor mask mandate for public spaces and eliminated the social-distancing requirement for both indoor and outdoor spaces on May 28. Gathering limits were eliminated on June 4.
New Mexico
New Mexico Department of Health
A mask mandate for all public indoor spaces, which went int effect Aug. 20, has been extended through at least Oct. 15. New Mexico retired its color-coded system of Covid-19 restrictions and fully reopened on July 1. All businesses across the state are able to operate at 100 percent capacity, and all limitations on gatherings have been lifted.
New York
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that proof of vaccination is now required for certain indoor activities, including dining, fitness and entertainment. The vaccine mandate, called the Key to NYC Pass, went into effect on August 16. Inspections and enforcement began on September 13. The requirement applies to both customers and workers. Proof of vaccination is accepted via vaccination cards, the NYC Covid Safe app or the state’s Excelsior Pass app. The city now strongly recommends that everyone wear face masks in indoor public settings, but it is only required for those who are unvaccinated.
North Carolina
North Carolina COVID-19 Information Hub
Mecklenburg County (which includes Charlotte), Cary County and most of Wake County (including Raleigh), have implemented an indoor mask mandate. Gov. Roy Cooper lifted all mass-gathering and social-distancing requirements on May 14. Statewide face coverings are still required in some places, such as on public transportation.
North Dakota
North Dakota Department of Health
Mask mandates are banned in North Dakota. There are no statewide business or gathering restrictions. The North Dakota Department of Health has adopted mask guidance from the CDC, so fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear face coverings indoors or outdoors.
Ohio
Columbus reinstated a mask mandate on Sept. 10, requiring everyone to wear a face covering in public indoor areas. Gov. Mike DeWine ended all other Covid-19 health orders on June 2.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Department of Health
An executive order issued by Gov. Kevin Stitt on March 12 lifted all statewide restrictions on events and residents. Major cities, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa, have ended local health orders that required face coverings in public.
Oregon
Governor Kate Brown issued a statewide outdoor mask mandate, effective Aug. 27. Face coverings are now required for most outdoor public settings where physical distancing is not possible, including large outdoor events. The rule does not apply to fleeting encounters, such as passing someone in a park. A statewide indoor mask mandate has been in effect since Aug. 13. Gov. Brown lifted social-distancing and other Covid-19 restrictions on June 30.
Pennsylvania
An indoor mask mandate went into effect on Aug. 12 in Philadelphia, unless proof of vaccination is required. Statewide, face coverings must be worn at all nonseated outdoor events with more than 1,000 people. All statewide coronavirus restrictions, including those on gatherings and businesses, were lifted on May 31.
Rhode Island
State of Rhode Island Department of Health
South Carolina
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
Mass gathering restrictions were lifted on March 1. On May 11, Gov. McMaster issued an executive order banning vaccine passports and preventing local governments from creating mask mandates.
South Dakota
The state has not issued any lockdowns or mask mandates. Businesses are encouraged to follow safety guidelines outlined in Gov. Kristi Noem’s “Back to Normal” plan. Vaccine passports are banned in South Dakota
Tennessee
There is no statewide mask mandate and Covid-19 restrictions vary by county. In Shelby County, Tennessee’s most populous county and home to Memphis, an indoor mask mandate took effect on Aug. 20. In Nashville, all capacity restrictions for events were lifted as of May 14.
Texas
Texas Department of State Health Services
Gov. Greg Abbott lifted the state’s mask mandate and allowed all businesses and facilities in Texas to resume operations at 100 percent capacity on March 10. Businesses can implement additional safety protocols at their own discretion. If Covid-19 hospitalizations get above 15 percent capacity for seven straight days in any of Texas’s 22 hospital regions, the county judge for that region can impose new Covid-19 mitigation strategies. Per the Governor’s executive order, those restrictions cannot include reducing capacity to less than 50 percent for any facility. On April 6, Gov. Abbott issued an executive order banning state agencies or political subdivisions from requiring vaccine passports. On June 7, he extended that bill to include private businesses.
Utah
There are no statewide capacity restrictions for gatherings in Utah and the mask mandate has been lifted. Vaccine passports are partially banned in Utah. Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill in April, banning the state government from requiring people to be vaccinated, but private companies are allowed to do so.
Vermont
Vermont fully reopened on June 14. All Covid-19 restrictions on businesses and gatherings have ended.
Virginia
Gov. Ralph Northam lifted the state’s mask mandate on May 7, followed by all distancing and capacity restrictions on May 28.
Washington
Washington State Department of Health
A statewide outdoor mask mandate went into effect on Sept. 13. Everyone over the age of 5 must wear face coverings in outdoor areas with more than 500 people, regardless of vaccination status. The Aug. 23 indoor mask mandate remains in place.
West Virginia
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Gov. Jim Justice eliminated the state’s mass gathering restrictions on April 19. Capacity limits have also been lifted for bars, restaurants and businesses. The state’s indoor face mask requirement was removed on June 20.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Gov. Jim Justice eliminated the state’s mass gathering restrictions on April 19. Capacity limits have also been lifted for bars, restaurants and businesses. The state’s indoor face mask requirement was removed on June 20.
Wyoming
An indoor mask mandate in Teton County, effective since Aug. 26, has been extended from to Dec. 31. Wyoming ended all other statewide Covid restrictions on March 16. Gov. Mark Gordon banned vaccine passports on May 7.