Visit the CDC website for a complete list of COVID-19 symptoms.

Read the CDC’s guidance on being up to date and how to protect yourself and others. You can also use CDC’s booster tool to find out which vaccine doses you’re missing, if any.

Read more about how to get vaccinated in Philadelphia.

Most people who have had COVID-19 get better just by resting, drinking fluids, and taking fever-reducing medicine like Tylenol/acetaminophen.

If you are at high risk for severe disease (are overweight or have other medical conditions), you may be able to get treatment. Contact a healthcare provider to find out about eligibility. Even if you do not feel very sick now, you should still contact your healthcare provider immediately after you test positive. Treatments must start in the first few days of illness to help you get well. Your healthcare provider will decide which, if any, of these treatments are appropriate to treat your illness.

• Oral antiviral medications target specific parts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and can help reduce its spread through a person’s body. They have been shown to prevent severe COVID. They are intended for individuals with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19. Read more about treatments.
• Monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19 are a treatment given by infusion or injection. If you are at high risk for severe disease, monoclonal antibodies can help prevent hospitalization and death in people with mild COVID-19. The medication works best if you receive it as soon as possible after infection. Discuss this therapy with your medical provider. They may be able to reach out to an affiliated hospital to help you receive treatment.
• Call your healthcare provider to discuss if oral antivirals or monoclonal antibiotics could help you.
• For healthcare providers, please visit the Philadelphia Health Information Portal and look for the following HAN: COVID-19 Therapeutics: Oral Antivirals – Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir & Molnupiravir (May 11, 2022) for more information.
• If you have trouble breathing, worsening cough, chest pain or pressure, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face, call 911 or go to the Emergency Department immediately.

Review symptoms of COVID-19. If you have mild symptoms, stay home, rest, and avoid contact with others until you feel completely better:

• It is best to stay in a separate room and use your own bathroom if available.
• Wear a face mask when around other people.
• Remember to wash your hands often.
• Call your personal health care provider or the Health Department to determine exactly when it is safe for you to leave your home. You also can consult the Health Department’s Isolation, exposure, and testing guidance (PDF).
• Your healthcare provider can also prescribe treatment if necessary.
• Find out how to get tested in Philadelpia.

It’s possible that people who have had COVID-19 can become re-infected. People who have had COVID-19 will have some short-term immunity to the virus, but it’s possible for those who had COVID-19 to become re-infected.

If you’ve recovered from a previous COVID-19 illness but develop new COVID-19 symptoms and an alternative explanation cannot be found, you should isolate and test immediately with a rapid antigen test. You should test even if it’s been less than 90 days since your previous illness.

Learn more about why getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.

People with serious underlying health problems are more likely to develop severe COVID-19. If you develop new symptoms, you should always consult with your personal physician or provider who will check you for COVID-19 or other possible infections or health issues.

Yes. Contact tracing is still used to stop the spread of COVID-19, especially among people who:

• Are not vaccinated.
• Are part of a COVID-19 outbreak.
• Live in certain high-risk-settings.

The Health Department mostly uses contact tracing to investigate disease outbreaks. It does not conduct routine investigations of individual COVID-19 cases. The Health Department may also contact residents to help better understand and protect residents from the virus.

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, learn what steps you should take, even if you are vaccinated or have already had COVID-19.

If you have COVID-19, visit our guidance page to learn how to notify your own contacts.

Visit the CDC website to learn more about contact tracing for COVID-19.

Questions? Call (215) 685-5488 or email covid@phila.gov.

See Schools (K-12) and early childhood education guidance.

Yes. In mid-June 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years, as well as to Moderna’s vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all recommended that children 6 months and older be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they can.

Everyone 5 years and older should also get a COVID-19 booster when they’re eligible.

Children 6 months and older can get either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Vaccine timing and number of doses for young children varies. To learn more about vaccination, read 6 Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and The Science Behind COVID-19 Vaccines: Parent FAQs.

You can also find out which doses your child is ready for (including booster, if applicable) by using CDC’s booster tool.

The best place to get your child vaccinated is at their regular pediatrician’s office.

Children 3 years and older can get vaccines at many pharmacies. Children 6 months and older can also get vaccinated at health centers. No matter where you choose to go, call before you go to make sure they have vaccines.

Check phila.gov/vaccine and vaccines.gov for a location near you.

For more information, read our blog post: COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children under five.

Regarding consent: In Philadelphia, children ages 11-17 can consent for their own COVID-19 vaccination, subject to the vaccine provider’s determination that they can provide informed consent. This aligns with a longstanding City policy that allows children ages 11 and above to consent for vaccines, without approval or consent of a parent or guardian. On May 14, 2022, the Board of Health ruled that this also applies to a vaccine with an FDA Emergency Use Authorization.

Children under the age of 11 must have a parent or guardian present to be vaccinated. Accepted documentation to confirm a child’s age includes one of the following:

• Access school or health care portals via phone.
• Copy of school or sports health forms.
• Insurance cards.
• Passports.
• Birth certificates or photos of their birth certificate.
• Any other documents with the child’s name and date of birth.

Note: Not all sites will vaccinate people under the age of 16. Make sure to call ahead to confirm a vaccination site has pediatric vaccines and will vaccinate your child.

Most children with COVID-19 get better just by resting, drinking fluids, and taking fever-reducing medicine like Tylenol/acetaminophen when needed.

If your child has trouble breathing, worsening cough, chest pain or pressure, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face, call 911 or go to the Emergency Department immediately.

For children 28 days or older who have COVID and are at risk for progressing to severe disease or hospitalized, there are various treatment options available. Treatment options like oral antivirals or monoclonal antibodies depend on the child’s age and other health factors and are best discussed with their pediatrician.

For more information, see “How do you treat COVID-19?” (above) and the CDC’s keep children healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The shot can cause swollen lymph nodes for a few days to weeks. This swelling is a normal reaction that your body is building protection to the virus that causes COVID-19 and is NOT a sign of cancer. However, these swollen lymph nodes could cause a false reading on a mammogram. This means that something looks abnormal on the test but doesn’t mean that you have cancer. To avoid these false readings, you should get your mammogram before the vaccine or wait 4-6 weeks after your vaccine to get your screening, or annual mammogram. If your doctor is ordering a test because you have breast cancer, or because a previous test looking for breast cancer was abnormal, you should not delay your test. Tell your doctor when you had your shot so that they are aware.

Yes. Getting vaccinated is the best way to reduce the chance of complications for pregnant people and the fetus. The vaccine is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

Find more information, see the CDC’s frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination, scroll to the Safety section and the question, “If I am pregnant or planning to get pregnant, can I get the vaccine?”

Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 compared to people who are not pregnant. This includes being hospitalized, needing intensive care, requiring a ventilator or special equipment to help them breathe, and, in rare cases, death. People with COVID-19 during pregnancy may also be more likely to have other pregnancy complications.

COVID-19 during pregnancy also increases the risk of delivering a preterm (earlier than 37 weeks) or stillborn infant. Also, in babies born to women who had COVID-19 during pregnancy, there is an increased risk that the newborn will need care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Getting vaccinated is the best way to reduce the chance of complications for pregnant people and the fetus. The vaccine is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

Learn more about pregnant and recently pregnant people, data on risks for pregnant people, vaccination during pregnancy (PDF), and myths and facts about COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 may pass to the fetus during pregnancy, but this seems to be rare. Most of these cases occurred when people were infected in their third trimester.

Most newborns of people who had COVID-19 during pregnancy do not have COVID-19 when they are born. Some newborns have tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after birth, but we don’t know if these newborns got the virus before, during, or after birth. Most newborns who tested positive for COVID-19 had mild or no symptoms and recovered. Reports say some newborns developed severe COVID-19 illness.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent a fetus or newborn from getting sick with COVID-19. The vaccine is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding and breastfeeding and caring for newborns if you have COVID-19.

Based on limited reports, adverse infant outcomes (e.g., preterm birth) have been reported among infants born to people positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy. However, it is not clear if this was related to the parent’s infection so the risk of adverse infant outcomes is not known.

Given limited available research, knowledge of pregnancy outcomes from other respiratory viral infections may provide some information. For example, influenza during pregnancy has been associated with negative outcomes, including low birth weight and preterm birth. Additionally, having a cold or influenza with a high fever early in pregnancy may increase the risk of certain birth defects. Infants have been born preterm and/or small for gestational age to people with other coronavirus infections (like SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV) during pregnancy.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent a fetus or newborn from getting sick with COVID-19. The vaccine is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

Most newborns who tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 had mild or no symptoms and recovered. However, there are a few reports of newborns with severe COVID-19 illness. At this time, there is no information on long-term health effects on infants either with COVID-19, or those exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 during pregnancy. In general, prematurity and low birth weight are associated with adverse long-term health effects.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent a fetus or newborn from getting sick with COVID-19. The vaccine is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

Studies suggest that COVID-19 does not pass through breast milk and does not cause infection in the baby. Most information shows that it is safe to feed breast milk to your baby when you have COVID-19 and having COVID-19 should not stop you from giving your baby breast milk. If you plan to breastfeed, talk with your ob-gyn. Make your wishes known so that you can begin to express milk or breastfeed before you take your baby home.

• Any time you or a family member are going to be around people more vulnerable to COVID, such as the unvaccinated, the elderly, or those with health risks.
• In highly trafficked areas or tight spaces such as public transportation, a carpool, or convenience/grocery stores.
• In an indoor space with many other people that involves physical exertion, like a gym or group fitness class.

Yes. Even without a City mandate, businesses and other institutions are allowed to be stricter than the City’s COVID-19 policies. Some businesses may require proof of vaccination or require that everyone wears a mask.

Schools may set their own mask policies, and it is strongly encouraged that students and teachers continue to keep each other safe by wearing a mask.

Masks are still required in healthcare settings and congregate settings such as nursing homes and shelters.

No. Someone with COVID-19 may unknowingly spread it while wearing this type of mask. That’s because these masks are designed to help you exhale more easily. But the valve/vent allows you to breathe out unfiltered air. These masks do not protect other people in your vicinity from your respiratory droplets. Read the CDC’s guidance about the use and care of masks.

People who have COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 infection should stay out of work until all of the following are true:

• It has been at least 5 days after the onset of symptoms AND
• They have been fever-free without fever-reducing medications for 24 hours AND
• Their symptoms are improving.

Masks MUST be worn at all times upon return to work for another 5 days. If individuals won’t be able to mask and eat in a room alone, they shouldn’t return to work until 10 days after symptom onset.

Please do not require proof of COVID-19 testing either to qualify for sick leave or to return to work. Tests can remain positive for weeks after infection due to dead virus remaining in the body, but this does not mean that people are contagious.

The Health Department recommends getting tested for COVID-19:

• If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Get tested immediately. If your test result is positive, you must isolate. For more information, see Isolation, exposure, and testing guidance (PDF).
• If you have recently attended a large indoor event.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19.
• If you’re about to visit someone at high risk, such as an elderly relative. Take a rapid test before seeing them.
• If you’re about to travel. Take a test, especially if you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine.

In any of these instances, if your test result is positive, reschedule your plans and isolate. Read more about isolation here.

If you think you should be tested for COVID-19, use our testing sites map and events calendar to find locations, contact information, and other requirements for testing sites in Philadelphia.

If you were tested at a location that is not a hospital or City health center, you should be able to get your test results on the laboratory’s patient portal. If you have additional questions about your results, contact the organization or location at which you were tested.

• Bioreference Laboratories
• LabCorp
• Quest Diagnostics

• Depending on what laboratory performs your test, it may take 1-6 days to learn your results. During that time, get rest, stay hydrated, and stay at home away from all people while you have symptoms. Read our Isolation, exposure, and testing guidance (PDF).
• Monitor for symptoms — if you feel short of breath or have a worsening cough or persistent fever (a temperature of 100.4 or greater), call your doctor or go to a hospital emergency department.
• If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, go to the hospital emergency department immediately:
  • Trouble breathing.
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.
  • New confusion.
  • Inability to wake or stay awake.
  • Bluish lips or face.
• If you must be near other people, wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth.

While isolating, you should wear a well-fitting make anytime you are around others inside your home.  Although you may leave isolation after 5 days, you should continue to wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days at home when around others and in public.

Read the CDC recommendations for when you are considered up to date.

• Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms should get tested.
• Anyone who is positive for COVID-19 must isolate according to CDC guidelines.
• After vaccination, you are strongly recommended to wear a tight-fitting mask while in indoor public spaces such as restaurants, offices, and public transportation.

Besides getting vaccinated and wearing a well-fitting mask over your mouth and nose, the best way to protect yourself from getting sick and to prevent the spread of germs is to practice good health habits.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Wet your hands with running water, lather them with soap, and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to wash the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. After rinsing, dry your hands with a clean towel.
  • Learn how to properly wash your hands in the CDC’s video on handwashing.
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
  • If you are using hand sanitizer, choose an alcohol-based product (60 percent alcohol or higher is recommended). Pour some into your palm and then rub it all over your hands and fingers until it dries (about 20 seconds).
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
  • If you don’t have a tissue, try to cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  • Throw away used tissues as soon as possible.
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching used tissues.
• Avoid touching your face if you haven’t washed your hands.
• Avoid sharing drinks and eating utensils like forks and spoons.
• Get a flu shot every year.

If you think you have COVID-19:

• If you have mild symptoms, stay home, rest, and avoid contact with others until you feel completely better.
• Use an at-home test. Order free COVID-19 tests.
• Some people with mild COVID-19 will benefit from treatment with monoclonal antibodies or antiviral pills, which can help prevent hospitalization and death. You can discuss this treatment with your healthcare provider.

People who should be tested, regardless of age, include:

• People who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
• People with COVID-19 symptoms.

If you do not have tests at home, you can find a testing site.

If you have questions about COVID-19 symptoms (common symptoms are fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue), call your health care provider.

For information, see:

Someone who is actively having trouble breathing such as an asthma attack should take off their face mask and use their asthma medication or get medical attention if needed.

People with asthma or other breathing problems are at higher risk from COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 vaccination is highly recommended. They may need to try different types of masks to find one they are comfortable wearing. The type of cloth and the number of layers makes a big difference. Surgical/paper masks may be easier for some people to tolerate than cloth masks.

Those who are unable to remove a face mask on their own and children younger than 2 years should not wear a face mask.

Anyone who is in isolation or quarantine should try to stay away from other people in the home. Only one person should take care of the person in isolation or quarantine. This person should be the only person to have direct contact with the patient or their room.

We strongly recommend getting vaccinated, as it significantly decreases the chance of severe COVID-19 disease.  Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19-related hospitalization and death.

If you do not get vaccinated, you put not only yourself at risk, but also those you love or care about. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer choice.

For more information, see CDC Newsroom: COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against hospitalization and death among adults.

All Philadelphians 6 months and older are eligible to get the vaccine.

• Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are currently authorized for individuals 6 months and older.
• Novavax was recently given emergency use authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for individuals 18 and over.
  • Johnson & Johnson vaccine is authorized for individuals in this age group who cannot or will not get an mRNA vaccine.
• Other COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization are also acceptable forms of vaccination.

Check with your doctor’s office to see if they are offering vaccine. Hospital systems and Federally Qualified Health Centers offer vaccine to their own patients and many also hold vaccine events for community members.

There are many other ways to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Find a vaccination clinic in Philadelphia.

Learn everything you need to know about dosing and staying up to date with your vaccines.

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have specific recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Check out the CDC Vaccine Schedule at a Glance (PDF).

COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now available to everyone ages 5 and older.

Read more guidance from the CDC about booster eligibility and the CDC Vaccine Schedule at a Glance (PDF).

Find out more about getting booster shots in Philadelphia.

Anyone 5 and older can receive the updated (bivalent) mRNA booster shot. The bivalent boosters have been updated to target both the original virus and the Omicron variants (B.4 and B.5) to provide better protection from COVID-19.

Primary care providers, health centers, and pharmacies will only offer the updated booster to all people 5 and older. The original booster will no longer be available.

Individuals 5 and older can get the booster if it has been:

• at least 2 months after completion the primary series, or
• at least 2 months after receiving an original (monovalent) mRNA.

Visit the CDC to see an infographic about the COVID-19 vaccination schedule for people who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised and learn more about how you can stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters.

Read about how COVID-19 vaccines work.

COVID-19 vaccines are free to everyone living in the United States.

Vaccine providers can bill your health insurance (if you have any), but they can’t charge you money for the vaccination.

Yes. Children 6 months and older can get the vaccine. Read more under the question Can young children get the COVID-19 vaccine? under the Children and Families section of these FAQs.

We do not know the level of antibodies in the blood that indicates protection from COVID-19. Therefore, it is recommended that you be vaccinated even if you have antibodies in your blood.

If you recently had COVID-19, you must wait until you are cleared from isolation to protect staff and other individuals at the vaccination site. You also must not be under quarantine after COVID-19 exposure.

Yes. We do not know how long someone is protected after getting sick and recovering from COVID; this is called natural immunity. More studies are needed to understand how long natural immunity to COVID-19 will last. It is recommended to get the vaccine for the best chance of protection from COVID-19 in the future.

May 2022 data from the CDC shows the unvaccinated age 5 and over have twice the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 and 6 times the risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to people who had at least a primary series of vaccine.

However, if you recently had COVID-19, you must wait until  at least 10 days have passed since first developing symptoms, symptoms have improved, and fever has resolved for at least 24 hours. You may need to isolate longer if you are severely ill or immunocompromised. You also must not be under quarantine after being in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

If you were treated for COVID-19 illness with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you do not need to wait to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Please talk to your doctor if you have questions about the treatments you received.

Learn more about myths and facts about COVID-19 vaccines.

Researchers have seen a decrease in vaccine effectiveness against infection after 6 months, although the vaccine continues to show significant effectiveness against severe illnesses. Experts speculate this may be caused by COVID variants’ increased ability to evade our immune system. Therefore, it’s more important than ever for those eligible to receive their booster shots.

The CDC has recommended that everyone age 5 and above who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine should get a booster dose 5 months after completing the primary series. People who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a booster dose after 2 months.  However, if you are immunocompromised or in a certain age group, you should receive the second booster shot. Please check with your provider for further details.

Read more guidance from the CDC about booster eligibility and the CDC Vaccine Schedule at a Glance (PDF).

The safety of a vaccine is determined by watching for side effects or complications in people who have received immunization with the vaccine. Post-vaccination observation for side effects occurs both during the research studies and when the vaccine is in widespread use. After many years of studying vaccine science, we know that almost all vaccine associated adverse events that are associated with vaccines occur within 6 weeks following the immunization.

There is also continued monitoring for very rare side effects when the vaccine is in widespread use both by passive monitoring (reporting from the public and health care providers) and active monitoring (mining electronic health records data to look for safety signals). Long term side effects are not expected since the code to make the virus protein in the vaccine is only used for a short time before breaking down. This code cannot enter the nucleus core of our cells or change the DNA of a person.

Having a safe and effective vaccine is a top priority in Philadelphia. Approving vaccines as safe, and making sure they work, is the responsibility of the FDA and CDC. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and other groups look at information about a vaccine and make informed decisions about the risks and benefits of using it. In addition to these groups, the Health Department is also committed to making vaccine available only after we are confident that it is safe and effective.

Learn more about ensuring COVID-19 vaccine safety.

The large clinical trials for Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines included about 3,000 Black or African American participants each, about 10% of the total. The Johnson & Johnson trials had about 6,500 Black or African American participants, or just under 20% of the total. There were also a large number of Hispanic/Latinx and other participants of color.

See the breakdown of racial and ethnic categories below for each vaccine:

• Pfizer
• Moderna
• Johnson & Johnson

In these trials, efficacy of the vaccine was consistent across demographic groups and there were no safety concerns when these groups were individually analyzed.

No. The COVID-19 vaccine will not give you COVID-19 infection. There is no living COVID-19 virus in the vaccines now available. Receiving the vaccine, however, will greatly reduce your chances of getting sick from COVID-19 in the future.

Read information from the CDC about possible side effects and helpful tips to treat them.

If you’ve lost your COVID-19 vaccination record card, please see How to request your immunization record.

If you have further questions, call the Health Department at (215) 685-5488 or covid@phila.gov.

No. COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory in Philadelphia. If you have concerns about receiving the vaccine, please discuss them with your healthcare provider.

While there is no mandate in Philadelphia requiring everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated, individual organizations and businesses may require employees to get vaccinated in order to work at these establishments. In addition, all healthcare workers and students and employees at institutions of higher education must be vaccinated. If you have concerns about receiving the vaccine, please discuss them with your healthcare provider or contact the Health Department.

• Get vaccinated. Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
• Screen yourself and other travelers in your group for symptoms of COVID-19. Do not travel if you are feeling ill or have any COVID-like symptoms, which you can find in the questions below.
• Test yourself before and after traveling to screen for infection.  Although not required, testing can help ensure your infection is identified early and does not spread to those around you.
• Check your airline carrier for individual requirements prior to travel for additional information. Your carrier will have the most up-to-date information for your trip. Any links provided are subject to change.
• Wear a face mask completely covering your mouth and nose. The Health Department strongly recommends wearing a mask.

As a result of a court order, masks are no longer required on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs. However, the CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings. Masks should completely cover the mouth and nose and fit snugly against the sides of the face.

As of June 12, 2022, air passengers are not required to have a negative COVID-19 test to enter the United States.

Non-U.S. citizens traveling to the United States as visitors are required to have proof of vaccination to enter the country, but this requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens.

Read more about travel from a foreign country to and from the United States.

Prior to flying out of the U.S, travelers should review all local, state, and federal COVID-19 guidance of their destination. You can find notices and news for your destination country under “Additional travel resources” below.

Please visit the CDC website for information about quarantine requirements related to travel.

Check with your destination’s Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health, or the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information, for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers.

For most domestic travel, passengers are not required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. However, certain travel destinations may require additional documentation. Consult with local ordinances prior to travel. See “Additional travel resources” below to review all relevant state and local guidance of your destination prior to travel.

The CDC recommends individuals get tested 3-5 days after returning from travel. All travelers should self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and get tested if they develop symptoms.

CDC travel guidance

• Requirement for face masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs
• Recommendations for domestic travel
• Travel planner to check recommendations and requirements for domestic destinations
• Recommendations for international travel
• Requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for international travel into the U.S.
• Notices and news for your destination country

CDC mask guidance

• Who needs to wear a mask and what kind of mask to wear
• Requirement for face masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs

Individual airline requirements

• Air Canada
• Alaska
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Delta
• Frontier
• Jet Blue
• Lufthansa
• Qatar Airways
• Southwest
• Spirit
• Sun Country Airlines
• United

Pennsylvania travel restrictions

There are no longer any travel restrictions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On March 1, 2021, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam signed a termination of mitigation measures.