Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel advice for the general public

If you are in a high-risk group for severe COVID-19 but have not been fully vaccinated and do not have immunity from a recent previous COVID-19 infection, consider postponing travel to areas where COVID-19 is widespread.

People in high-risk groups – including those over the age of 60, those with chronic illnesses, and those with underlying health conditions – face increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. Pay close attention to the COVID-19 situation at your destination, and follow border entry requirements, which may include testing or quarantine.

In areas with high COVID-19 transmission rates, you may be at increased risk of COVID-19 infection. It’s important to know your health status and the risks of COVID-19 at your destination as you plan.  

The rules for travel depend on where your trip originates and your destination. Follow travel advisories issued by both the country of origin and of destination.

Wherever you are, follow COVID-19 prevention measures, such as wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, maintaining physical distance of at least 1 metre, and avoiding crowded or poorly ventilated places and settings whenever possible.

Traveling may place you in areas that are closed, confined, or crowded (the three Cs), which puts you at a higher risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Whenever possible, stay in open, well-ventilated settings. While travelling, practice prevention measures even if you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Be sure to follow COVID-19 travel policies and rules required by venues, transport operators and travel hubs such as airports, bus terminals, and train stations. Know before you go.

People with symptoms of COVID-19 – including fever, cough, or shortness of breath – should not travel.  If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and isolate yourself away from other people. If you have been around someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, isolate yourself, follow the guidance of local authorities and watch for symptoms.

People in certain groups – including those over the age of 60, those with chronic illnesses, and those with underlying health conditions – face increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. If you are in one of these groups but have not been fully vaccinated and do not have immunity from a recent previous COVID-19 infection, consider postponing travel to areas with widespread COVID-19

As part of public health efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, travel may be limited or restricted to travel deemed to be essential. Essential travel is defined differently by national authorities in different countries.

Essential travel may include travel for emergencies and humanitarian activities (including emergency medical flights and medical evacuation). It may include travel taken by essential personnel (including emergency responders and those who provide public health technical support, and critical personnel in transport and security sectors, such as seafarers and diplomatic officers). Essential travel may also include repatriations to home countries, as well as cargo transport needed to deliver essential supplies such as food, medicines, and fuel. WHO encourages national authorities to facilitate travel for essential reasons at all times.

People in certain groups – including those over the age of 60, those with chronic illnesses, and those with underlying health conditions – face increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. If you are in a high-risk group, you should consider the risk carefully before you make travel plans.

Be sure to follow COVID-19 prevention measures, such as wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, maintaining physical distance of at least 1 metre, and avoiding crowded places and poorly ventilated settings whenever possible. If you are in a high-risk group and must travel, wear a medical-grade face mask at all times and step up your prevention practices.

People aged 60 and over, and those with serious chronic diseases or underlying health conditions, should postpone or delay travel internationally to and from areas with community transmission unless they have been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to their travel, or have immunity from a recent infection within 6 months prior to travelling.  People in high-risk groups are at a greater risk of getting very sick or dying after getting COVID-19.

Medical masks are recommended for:

• Anyone who is feeling unwell, including people with mild symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or headache.
• People aged 60 and over
• People of any age with underlying health conditions, including chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, immunocompromised patients and diabetes mellitus.

If you choose to use a fabric mask, WHO recommends the use of a well-fitting mask with three layers of fabric: 

• Inner layer of absorbent material, such as cotton.
• Middle layer of non-woven non-absorbent material, such as polypropylene.
• Outer layer of non-absorbent material, such as polyester or polyester blend.

Remember that wearing a mask is only one part of important prevention measures, including washing hands frequently, maintaining physical distance of at least 1 meter, and avoiding crowded places and poorly ventilated settings whenever possible.

Learn more about how to choose and wear a mask here.

Before you travel, know the requirements and policies in place where your trip originates and at your destination. Every country has its own rules.

Some countries exempt travelers who have been fully vaccinated or have proof of recent SARS-CoV-2 infection from certain requirements, such as testing and/or quarantine.

During travel, even if you are vaccinated, WHO recommends that you continue wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, maintaining physical distance of at least 1 meter, and avoiding crowded places and poorly ventilated settings whenever possible. 

Yes, you may be screened when entering or leaving a venue, destination or country. Be sure to know what is required or expected as you plan your travel.

Exit and entry screening may include measures such as interviews, checking temperatures and evaluation for symptom – including respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, or shortness of breath. You may be asked to provide information about any possible exposure you have had to people with COVID-19 symptoms or confirmed diagnoses. 

Some venues, destinations and countries may request or require that you download and register with a digital contact tracing app. These apps collect information to identify and inform travelers who may have been in contact with a person who has been confirmed to have COVID-19. 

Know before you go. Some venues, destinations and countries require COVID-19 tests prior to departure or upon arrival as part of their strategies to prevent the spread of disease. COVID-19 tests conducted immediately prior to departure or on arrival are used in an effort to determine the health status of travellers. As always, continue wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, maintaining physical distance of at least 1 metre, and avoiding crowded places and poorly ventilated settings whenever possible.

Every destination has its own policies, so it’s important to be aware of testing requirements before you hit the road. 

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 while you travel or when you arrive at your destination, notify health authorities immediately and follow their guidance. You may be required to quarantine or isolate yourself. Your travel companions may also be required to quarantine, since they have been in contact with you.

In most places, you should not be charged for physical exams, testing or vaccination. The International Health Regulations (IHR) are an instrument of international law that is legally binding in 196 countries, including the 194 WHO Member States. The IHR includes important safeguards to protect the rights of travelers in the application of health measures.

In accordance with the IHR (2005), you should not be charged by the country for:

• examinations to determine your health status;
• required vaccinations or protective equipment on arrival (if these were not published at least 10 days earlier);
• appropriate isolation or quarantine facilities;
• required certificates at the point of entry that show or document the measures taken to allow your entry; and
• any baggage accompanying you.

As you plan your trip, make sure you are aware of the requirements and policies in place at your point of departure and at your destination. Follow them.

Be sure to practice COVID-19 prevention measures – wear a mask, maintain physical distance of at least one metre from others, wash your hands frequently, and avoid crowded or poorly ventilated places and settings.

Monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms  for 14 days after you travel, and notify public health agencies at your destination immediately if you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or headache. Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or loss of speech or movement.

Some airplanes have cabin air filtration systems equipped with HEPA filters which can remove viruses and germs quickly, minimizing the duration of the exposure to any potential infectious materials produced by a cough or sneeze. The cabin air system is designed to operate most efficiently by delivering approximately 50 percent outside air and 50 percent filtered, recirculated air. The air supply is essentially sterile and particle-free.  However, adequate ventilation is just one of the preventive measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.  Other important measures include maintaining physical distance of at least 1 meter whenever possible, frequent hand hygiene and wearing a mask. Passengers should check with the airline company and the national or local guidelines about when and where to wear a mask while flying.

If you become ill during your travel, inform your travel attendant (plane, ship, train, etc.). You may be moved to a seat farther away from others.

Ask for information on how to be seen by a health care provider and seek care immediately.

Wear a mask continuously while you travel, frequently clean your hands with hand sanitizer, cover a cough or sneeze with a bent elbow or tissue, and maintain at least a 1 metre distance from others wherever possible. You should stop travelling as soon as feasible.

If you are told you must quarantine or self-isolate yourself in a specific place, you should be provided with free, appropriate facilities and care, and not be asked to stay longer than 14 days.