how safe is air travel right now

What are the risks of flying during COVID-19?

What are the risks of getting covid-19 on an airplane, what are tips to follow for flying during covid-19, how are airlines dealing with covid-19.

• Is flying safe if I've been vaccinated?

Bottom line: is it safe to fly?

• A sample of airlines' current COVID-19 policies
• More reporting on whether it's safe to travel right now

Is it safe to fly? Experts share risks to consider, precautions to take, and how vaccines may affect air travel.

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• While some aren't yet considering air travel amidst the pandemic, others are eager to resume flying.
• Before booking any cheap ticket, it's important to be aware of the risks of flying during COVID-19.
• We talked to doctors, pilots, and other industry experts about whether it is safe to fly right now.

Vaccine rollouts are underway and to date,  1 in 6 Americans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 . The CDC has also issued new guidelines saying that domestic travel is safe for vaccinated individuals . As such, it may finally be reasonable to feel optimistic about a return to travel.

Some will start small, with safe vacation alternatives during COVID such as renting a car to take regional road trips , and booking private Airbnbs , or hotels with  new cleaning policies .

Others may now feel ready to board a plane again given the latest news. But just how safe is air travel during the pandemic? Is it safe to fly right now during COVID-19? 

To break down the answers, we reached out to an array of experts, including an infectious disease doctor, an ER doctor, a pilot, a medical advisor for an aviation trade association, and frequent flyer founders of popular flight deal platforms.

Here's what they have to say about the risks of flying during COVID-19, encountering airplanes and airports, the precautions you should take to mitigate risk if you decide to fly, and whether or not they consider it safe to fly at all in this stage of the pandemic. 

Remember that most air travel — with the exception of private flights, or public charters like JSX that fly through private terminals — requires not just the airplane flight itself, but also the full airport experience. As we all know, that means lots of lines and crowds. 

We also know that the virus is generally transmitted directly between people. Therefore, people-to-people interactions pose the greatest risk among the factors present in airports.

"Airports have constant traffic going through them with travelers coming to and from various locations around the globe," said Dr. Neil Brown, an emergency medicine physician and K Health 's chief diagnosis officer. "We cannot be sure everyone is using the same precautions as we are, nor if they have been advised to."

But you might be able to reasonably manage your risk of exposure to people in an airport. Dr. Thomas Russo, chief of the division of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo, said, "I would think that you could control spacing and time that you might be exposed to individuals who might be infectious unbeknownst to you more easily as you're entering the airport and during the boarding process, than when you're on the flight."

Airports are also trying various tactics to minimize contact between people and promote social distancing. For instance, Seattle-Tacoma International removed many of the seats at its gates. At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, passengers can use facial recognition technology to bypass various points of human contact prior to boarding.

Airplanes are known to filter air quickly and effectively.

In fact, airplane travel has many built-in safety features that are well suited to the age of the novel coronavirus, explains Dr. David Powell, a medical advisor for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a trade group that represents most of the world's major passenger airlines and cargo carriers.

"Customers sit facing forward and not toward each other, seat backs provide a barrier, and the limited movement of passengers once seated adds to the onboard protection," he said. "Moreover, airflow is less conducive to droplet spread than other indoor environments: flow rates are high, directed in a controlled manner (from ceiling to floor), to limit mixing, and the use of High Efficiency Particulate Air filters ensures that the air supply is pure."

Pilot and aviation author Brett Manders explains that these filters are able to capture 99.9 percent of virus particles. "The other thing to note is aircraft air is replaced at a rapid rate," he says. "If you filled the aircraft with green smoke for demonstration purposes, it would be all 100-percent clear within two minutes."

But while these features may help reduce risk, they do not change the fact that commercial airplane travel means flying in a confined space with other people, and for more than a fleeting period of time.

Manders notes that while planes' airflow and filtration systems are effective, they can't do everything to prevent spread between passengers, even those who may be asymptomatic.

"COVID-19 transmits by droplets in the air and whilst the systems refresh cabin air at a rate of about 90 seconds, it isn't a linear flow from ceiling to floor," he said. "Unfortunately, air will mix and tumble and it only takes a droplet in the air from a passenger's cough, speech, or sneeze to your personal space."

Indeed, Dr. Russo underscores that airplanes' airflow systems may be good — but they're not magical. "The air handling in a plane is pretty good, but it's still a closed space. And depending on how long your flight is, you're going to be in proximity of a fixed number of people for a prolonged period," he says. "Once you're on the flight, you've been dealt a hand. Hopefully, everyone around you isn't infected, but you just don't know for sure. A longer flight is going to be a greater risk even though the air is handled pretty well because it's a close space, exposed to other individuals, and the time of exposure is longer."

Russo puts the risk of infection coming mainly from other passengers next to you or within a couple of rows. It's "a lot less likely [from passengers] 10 or 15 rows back."

As it is known that the virus spreads primarily through direct person-to-person contact, inanimate objects are much less of a concern, according to CDC guidance.

"It's really proximity to people," Dr. Russo said. "This would be a time to use your best masks. If you have an N95 mask, that's ideal," he says."Bring your own wipes if you want to be sure, and wipe down your tray tables, all your audio, TV remote knobs, and all that sort of stuff."

Dr. Brown also suggested sanitizing the seat, armrests, headrests, and sidewalls if you have a window seat. "If you are flying or planning to, I highly recommend everyone to take certain precautions to lower your risk of being exposed to the coronavirus such as making sure you are up to date with your routine vaccinations, wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, steer clear from people who are visibly sick, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth," he said.

Dr. Brown considers it "generally safe" to use the airplane's lavatory as long as you socially distance as much as possible from other passengers if waiting in line. "I would advise travelers to avoid directly touching the door, bathroom faucet, the slider to lock the lavatory, and the handle to flush the toilet."

Also, consider that eating and drinking on planes may be another possible transmission trigger. As airlines reintroduce food and drink service, proceed with caution and limit the amount of time your mask is off. 

Airlines previously announced a patchwork of new policies designed to reduce the risk of virus transmission and reassure would-be travelers. The government also issued a national mask mandate earlier this year requiring face masks in airports and on planes .

Dr. Powell noted changes within airports that include airport staff and passengers wearing masks, provision of hand sanitizer dispensers, frequent and thorough disinfection of premises, and physical distancing measures where practicable.

Some airports, including London Heathrow and Puerto Rico's San Juan airport, also conducted passenger temperature checks using thermal cameras. Of course, much has been made of the novel coronavirus' ability to transmit through asymptomatic passengers, who would not be detected in such a screening.

On the planes themselves, airline policies vary widely. Delta was among those announcing it would cap seating capacity to guarantee distancing and block middle seats, but recently ended those policies, and was one of the last airlines to do so.

Additionally, Dr. Powell said, "We are seeing measures being introduced such as wearing of face masks and coverings by passengers and crew, simplified catering that reduces interactions between passenger and crew, reduced mobility on board, more frequent and deeper cabin cleaning, and new boarding procedures to eliminate crowding on the air bridge and in the cabin."

However, the policies are constantly changing. "There's been a bit of confusion," says Scott's Cheap Flights founder and flight expert Scott Keyes. "Some airlines are blocking middle seats, some are limiting the number of passengers on board, some are warning passengers ahead of time if it'll be a full flight, and some are doing none of that. It's difficult to keep straight which airline is taking which step, if any. Generally speaking, airlines are adhering to their stated policies, but those policies vary widely."

And not everyone is as convinced the airlines are faithfully doing what they promise. Alex Miller, the founder and CEO of UpgradedPoints.com , says they can only "sort of" be trusted. "Many airlines promised blocked seats, but later revealed that if flight loads dictated, they would release these seats for passengers. So, blocked seats really weren't blocked after all. This said, most airlines are implementing rigid cleaning procedures and most airlines are abiding by these new, strict standards."

Our own reporter found that United was choosing not to block middle seats  and instead was offering free flight changes for passengers on crowded flights. Similarly, American also stopped blocking middle seats .

Most airlines have already abandoned the policy entirely and opted to fill aircraft to capacity, citing US Department of Defense and Harvard School of Public Health studies that show the effectiveness of mask-wearing and high-efficiency particulate air filters in limiting the onboard spread of COVID-19. 

For his part, Dr. Russo is not convinced that seat-blocking policies are necessarily adequate to fully mitigate risk in all situations anyway. After all, a window seat is hardly six feet from the seat on the aisle, even if the middle seat is vacant.

Is flying safe if I've been vaccinated?

The first important factor here is that you've been fully  vaccinated. Whether you receive one dose or two depends on which vaccine you get, but according to the CDC , you need to wait at least two weeks after receiving your final dose to be considered fully vaccinated.

If you are indeed fully vaccinated, the CDC says it is safe to travel within the US . The European Union also announced it will be open to fully vaccinated travelers from the US this summer .

Dr. Russo also agrees with the recommendation. "Though we're still learning about the vaccine, it offers an extraordinary degree of protection against developing symptomatic disease, and if it does develop, it will likely be a very mild case," he said. "Although the vaccines are very good at preventing transmission to others, there is still a small but finite chance you could be infectious even if vaccinated. If you had COVID-19, that offers a degree of protection, but it's even more robust protection if you've been vaccinated." 

However, he also notes that you still need to wear a mask on planes and when in public areas like airports, even after getting vaccinated. "The vaccines are very good, but they're not perfect. While you're much less likely to transmit the disease or get it, there is still a chance," says Dr. Russo. 

As for when we can all feel safe hopping on planes without masks again like pre-pandemic times, Dr. Russo says we are still at least a few months away, if not more, and notes that many areas still have high infection rates. "We would need to reach herd immunity levels and have cases be at, or very close to, zero," he says. 

The IATA's Powell reports encouraging data about the risk of virus transmission on flights. "The risk of transmission of COVID-19 from passenger-to-passenger onboard an aircraft appears already to be very low, based on our communications with a large number of major airlines during January through March 2020, and a more detailed IATA examination of contact tracing of 1,100 passengers [during the same period] who were confirmed for COVID-19 after air travel." He attributes this to the seating configuration, airflow and filtration systems, and those other traits unique to flying.

But according to medical experts unaffiliated with aviation, there continues to be an inherent risk in flying. "Safe is a relative term," Dr. Russo said. "Particularly for longer flights, even with good mask usage, you're getting into the more moderate risk zone as opposed to low risk" environments you might find with grocery store outings or jaunts to a local beach with social distancing. 

"On a plane, all bets are off as far as likelihood of who could be infected," he said. "It could be different people from different parts of the world, and different prevalence of disease. So even if you're flying out of an area where everything looks good, you just don't quite know who's on that plane, where they've been, and what their state is. The mask affords a certain degree of protection, but there's no question there's going to be some risk with this situation, particularly the longer the flight is and the more crowded it is." 

Dr. Brown puts it simply: "It is best to avoid any unnecessary travel at the moment."

Whether or not to fly remains an individual choice, best undertaken after serious considerations of the risk-versus-reward ratio until there is a vaccine. For his part, Dr. Russo said he would fly for a significant family event he deemed worthy of exposure to some amount of risk.

Keyes agreed. "I think it's safe enough that if I had an important trip like visiting a sick family member, I'd feel confident getting on board."

A sample of airlines' current COVID-19 policies

• Air Canada : Mandatory masks for passengers. Issuing contact-free infrared temperature screenings. Passengers with elevated temperatures will be denied boarding.
• Air France : Mandatory masks for passengers. Issuing contact-free infrared temperature screenings on some flights.
• American Airlines : Seats are no longer blocked and flights may be filled to capacity. Mandatory masks, and reduced food and beverage service is continuing. If a flight is booking up, American may notify passengers and offer the option to change flights free of charge. No change to boarding process.
• Allegiant : Flights may be filled to capacity and masks are mandatory.
• Delta : Mandatory face masks, reduced food and beverage offerings, and new boarding by row procedure from back to front. Reducing the total number of passengers per flight depending on aircraft type.
• Emirates : Mandatory masks, food offerings reimagined in bento-box style to reduce contact during service, and option to buy extra seats when at the airport for onboard distancing.
• Frontier : First US airline to announce screening all passengers with temperature checks and denying boarding if found to be elevated. Mandatory masks, plexiglass partitions are being installed at ticket counters, all passengers checking in must accept a health acknowledgment. No food and drink service and no change to boarding process.
• Hawaiian : Seats are no longer blocked and flights may be filled to capacity and masks are mandatory.
• JetBlue : First airline to make masks mandatory for passengers and crew. Mandatory masks, plexiglass partitions are being installed at ticket counters, all passengers checking in must accept a health acknowledgment. Seats are no longer blocked and flights may be filled to capacity. Limited food and beverage service and back to front boarding.
• Southwest : Mandatory masks for the crew, and airline-provided masks for passengers without them, limited food and beverage service of ice water and a snack mix. Seats are no longer blocked and flights may be filled to capacity. No change to boarding process.
• Spirit : Flights may be filled to capacity and masks are mandatory. Food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, are available for purchase.
• Sun Country : Flights may be filled to capacity and masks are mandatory.
• United : Seats are no longer blocked and flights may be filled to capacity, but United will allow passengers with full flights to make a change free of charge. Masks are mandatory and boarding is from back to front. Service is suspended on short flights, but on flights longer than 2 hours and 20 minutes, United will distribute amenity bags with a sanitizing wipe, water bottle, and snacks, and offer soft drinks.

More reporting on whether it's safe to travel right now

• Is travel safe? We interviewed experts on risks associated with flying, booking hotels or Airbnbs, renting cars, and more, plus ideas on safe vacations during COVID-19
• Are Airbnbs safe? We spoke to experts, a company representative, and an Airbnb host to share everything you should know before booking someone's home.
• Is it safe to stay in a hotel right now? An infectious disease doctor, a cleaning expert, and hotel reps all share what you should know before you check-in.
• Which is safer: Airbnb or hotels? Here's what doctors say
• Are rental cars safe to drive right now? We talked to 3 leading experts to find out.
• Is it safe to travel by train during a pandemic? Doctors and cleaning experts weigh in, plus details on new protocols from Amtrak to minimize risks.
• Staying in a hotel will be very different post-pandemic — here are new safety and cleaning plans and precautions being implemented by every major hotel brand
• 6 safer, expert-backed ways to take a vacation during the pandemic, from road trips to private vacation homes and remote campsites
• Everything to know about vacation rentals, including the best booking platforms, COVID-19 safety info, and the best places to go in the US

Tom Pallini, Hannah Freedman, and David Slotnick contributed reporting to this article.

• Main content

• COVID-19 travel advice

Considering travel during the pandemic? Take precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19.

A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine can prevent you from getting COVID-19 or from becoming seriously ill due to COVID-19 . But even if you're vaccinated, it's still a good idea to take precautions to protect yourself and others while traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, you're less likely to become seriously ill or spread COVID-19 . You can then travel more safely within the U.S. and internationally. But international travel can still increase your risk of getting new COVID-19 variants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you should avoid travel until you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses.

Before you travel

As you think about making travel plans, consider these questions:

• Have you been vaccinated against COVID-19 ? If you haven't, get vaccinated. If the vaccine requires two doses, wait two weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel. If the vaccine requires one dose, wait two weeks after getting the vaccine to travel. It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination.
• Have you had any booster doses? Having all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, increases your protection from serious illness.
• Are you at increased risk for severe illness? Anyone can get COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 .
• Do you live with someone who's at increased risk for severe illness? If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the COVID-19 virus to the people you live with when you return, even if you don't have symptoms.
• Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Even if you've had all recommended vaccine doses, you must follow local, state and federal testing and travel rules.

Check local requirements, restrictions and situations

Some state, local and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring people to wear masks, get tested, be vaccinated or stay isolated for a period of time after arrival. Before you go, check for requirements at your destination and anywhere you might stop along the way.

Keep in mind these can change often and quickly depending on local conditions. It's also important to understand that the COVID-19 situation, such as the level of spread and presence of variants, varies in each country. Check back for updates as your trip gets closer.

Travel and testing

For vaccinated people.

If you have been fully vaccinated, the CDC states that you don't need to get tested before or after your trip within the U.S. or stay home (quarantine) after you return.

If you're planning to travel internationally outside the U.S., the CDC states you don't need to get tested before your trip unless it's required at your destination. Before arriving to the U.S., you need a negative test within the last day before your arrival or a record of recovery from COVID-19 in the last three months.

After you arrive in the U.S., the CDC recommends getting tested with a viral test 3 to 5 days after your trip. If you're traveling to the U.S. and you aren't a citizen, you need to be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination.

You don't need to quarantine when you arrive in the U.S. But check for any symptoms. Stay at home if you develop symptoms.

For unvaccinated people

Testing before and after travel can lower the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 . If you haven't been vaccinated, the CDC recommends getting a viral test within three days before your trip. Delay travel if you're waiting for test results. Keep a copy of your results with you when you travel.

Repeat the test 3 to 5 days after your trip. Stay home for five days after travel.

If at any point you test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 , stay home. Stay at home and away from others if you develop symptoms. Follow public health recommendations.

Stay safe when you travel

In the U.S., you must wear a face mask on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation. The mask must fit snugly and cover both your mouth and nose.

Follow these steps to protect yourself and others when you travel:

• Get vaccinated.
• Keep distance between yourself and others (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) when you're in indoor public spaces if you're not fully vaccinated. This is especially important if you have a higher risk of serious illness.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
• Avoid crowds and indoor places that have poor air flow (ventilation).
• Don't touch frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons and kiosks. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterward.
• Wear a face mask in indoor public spaces. The CDC recommends wearing the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly and that fits. If you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, wear a mask in indoor public places and outdoors in crowded areas or when you're in close contact with people who aren't vaccinated.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water aren't available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
• Don't eat or drink on public transportation. That way you can keep your mask on the whole time.

Because of the high air flow and air filter efficiency on airplanes, most viruses such as the COVID-19 virus don't spread easily on flights. Wearing masks on planes has likely helped lower the risk of getting the COVID-19 virus on flights too.

However, air travel involves spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people. Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask when traveling can help protect you from COVID-19 while traveling.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has increased cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment, including bins, at screening checkpoints. TSA has also made changes to the screening process:

• Travelers must wear masks during screening. However, TSA employees may ask travelers to adjust masks for identification purposes.
• Travelers should keep a distance of 6 feet apart from other travelers when possible.
• Instead of handing boarding passes to TSA officers, travelers should place passes (paper or electronic) directly on the scanner and then hold them up for inspection.
• Each traveler may have one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces (about 350 milliliters) in a carry-on bag. These containers will need to be taken out for screening.
• Personal items such as keys, wallets and phones should be placed in carry-on bags instead of bins. This reduces the handling of these items during screening.
• Food items should be carried in a plastic bag and placed in a bin for screening. Separating food from carry-on bags lessens the likelihood that screeners will need to open bags for inspection.

Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds directly before and after going through screening.

Public transportation

If you travel by bus or train and you aren't vaccinated, be aware that sitting or standing within 6 feet (2 meters) of others for a long period can put you at higher risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 . Follow the precautions described above for protecting yourself during travel.

Even if you fly, you may need transportation once you arrive at your destination. You can search car rental options and their cleaning policies on the internet. If you plan to stay at a hotel, check into shuttle service availability.

If you'll be using public transportation and you aren't vaccinated, continue physical distancing and wearing a mask after reaching your destination.

Hotels and other lodging

The hotel industry knows that travelers are concerned about COVID-19 and safety. Check any major hotel's website for information about how it's protecting guests and staff. Some best practices include:

• Enhanced cleaning procedures
• Physical distancing recommendations indoors for people who aren't vaccinated
• Mask-wearing and regular hand-washing by staff
• Mask-wearing indoors for guests in public places in areas that have high cases of COVID-19
• Vaccine recommendations for staff
• Isolation and testing guidelines for staff who've been exposed to COVID-19
• Contactless payment
• Set of rules in case a guest becomes ill, such as closing the room for cleaning and disinfecting
• Indoor air quality measures, such as regular system and air filter maintenance, and suggestions to add air cleaners that can filter viruses and bacteria from the air

Vacation rentals, too, are enhancing their cleaning procedures. They're committed to following public health guidelines, such as using masks and gloves when cleaning, and building in a waiting period between guests.

Make a packing list

When it's time to pack for your trip, grab any medications you may need on your trip and these essential safe-travel supplies:

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
• Disinfectant wipes (at least 70% alcohol)
• Thermometer

Considerations for people at increased risk

Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness. This may include people with cancer, serious heart problems and a weakened immune system. Getting the recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses can help lower your risk of being severely ill from COVID-19 .

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19 . If you're unvaccinated, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 . If you must travel and aren't vaccinated, talk with your health care provider and ask about any additional precautions you may need to take.

Remember safety first

Even the most detailed and organized plans may need to be set aside when someone gets ill. Stay home if you or any of your travel companions:

• Have signs or symptoms, are sick or think you have COVID-19
• Are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test
• Have been diagnosed with COVID-19
• Have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past five days and you're not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines

If you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 , get tested after at least five days. Wait to travel until you have a negative test. Wear a mask if you travel up to 10 days after you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 .

• How to protect yourself and others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Domestic travel during COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Requirement for face masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• International travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• U.S citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and immigrants: Travel to and from the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Non-US. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: Air travel to the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• People with certain medical conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Stay up to date with your vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Pack smart. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Travel: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) information. Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• WHO advice for international traffic in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/who-advice-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-the-sars-cov-2-omicron-variant. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• VRHP/VRMA Cleaning guidelines for COVID-19. Vacation Rental Management Association. https://www.vrma.org/page/vrhp/vrma-cleaning-guidelines-for-covid-19. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Safe stay. American Hotel & Lodging Association. https://www.ahla.com/safestay. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Khatib AN, et al. COVID-19 transmission and the safety of air travel during the pandemic: A scoping review. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 2021; doi:10.1097/QCO.0000000000000771.

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U.S. travel resources

• Check CDC recommendations for travel within the U.S.
• Review testing requirements for travel to the U.S.
• Look up restrictions at your destination .
• Review airport security measures .

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• Travel Tips

Is It Safe to Fly Right Now? Here's What Experts Have to Say

We spoke with medical, aviation, and travel experts to answer the question of whether or not it’s safe to fly during the pandemic. The answer is complicated, full of caveats, and, ultimately, a personal decision.

Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer.

Last summer, after months of stay-at-home orders and closed borders, cities around the world began the process of reopening , travel restrictions started to soften, and leisure travelers were itching to hit the road again. We saw travelers dip their toes back in with road trips , daylong excursions, and camping getaways , while others headed back into the sky.

As we look toward summer travel this year, you might be wondering: Is it safe to fly right now? According to the medical, mathematical, aviation, and travel experts we spoke with, the answer is complicated and comes with numerous caveats. While it may be safe to fly, that doesn't mean it's without risk. Ultimately, flying during the pandemic requires weighing the many variables and deciding how comfortable you feel getting back on a plane. Here's what the experts have to say.

How clean is the plane?

While specific cleaning procedures and the frequency with which they're carried out vary by airline, most major carriers are disinfecting planes between flights, giving extra attention to high-touch surfaces and bathrooms. Additionally, airlines like United , JetBlue, Hawaiian, Delta, and Southwest have implemented electrostatic antimicrobial sprays to thoroughly disinfect every nook and cranny of the cabin, either overnight or between certain flights.

However, some fliers we spoke with have noted a slump in enhanced cleaning practices on board over time, particularly in the cabin, citing leftover wrappers, crumbs, or smudges in their seating area, though this depends on the specific airline and flight. Luckily, any lack of visible cleaning is something passengers can rectify on their end by wiping down their personal area as soon as they board. Most airlines offer disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer, though all of the experts we spoke with suggested bringing your own just to be safe.

Many airplanes also use HEPA filters , which completely refresh the cabin air throughout the flight and work to filter out over 99% of airborne viruses, bacteria, and other contagions. However, as reported in an August 2020 National Geographic article, that's only effective for air that has made it through the filtration system. If you're sitting next to someone who is shedding the virus and not wearing a mask, you run the risk of inhaling virus particles before they can be filtered through the HEPA system. Plus, some airplane filtration systems do not start running at full capacity until the aircraft is airborne, meaning the air is not being recycled and filtered at the same rate when the plane is taxiing or grounded. That's why wearing masks as much as possible for the duration of a flight is imperative.

Is it safer to fly domestically or internationally?

Travelers should consider the same factors — safety protocols, seat spacing, aircraft cleanliness, and flight time — for both types of flights. The main differentiating points to look at when deciding whether to fly domestic or international don't actually have to do with the flights themselves but focus rather on external variables, such as where you're going, infection levels at your destination, what precautions are in place, if you'll have access to adequate health care, and any travel restrictions or quarantine rules.

Dr. Winfried Just , a researcher in mathematical epidemiology and professor at Ohio University, and Dr. Georgine Nanos , a board-certified physician specializing in epidemiology, both agreed that a long-haul flight could be riskier, but only because it leaves the door open that much longer for potential exposures. Longer flights mean more people using the bathrooms, more instances of masks being removed (even if just temporarily for eating and drinking), more exposure to anyone nearby who might be shedding the virus, and so on. Since both domestic and international flights can last anywhere between one hour and double-digits, it's safer to choose destinations with shorter overall flight times.

Flying internationally carries a few pros that many domestic flights do not, namely due to the entry requirements of several overseas destinations. Many times, proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken preflight or an on-site PCR test at the airport is required to board the plane. While pretesting functions as a way to keep any COVID-positive passengers from boarding flights, it's not a foolproof method.

When it comes to flying during the pandemic, safety is measured on a sliding scale. Dr. Just cautions that "safe is never 100% safe," since it's impossible to completely eliminate risk.

Consider safety protocols and enforcement.

There is evidence that wearing a face mask is key to preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, making this one of the easiest ways to help mitigate risk while traveling. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) came out with a statement saying that masks not only protect the wearer, but also people around them .

Following a federal ruling in April 2022 , the mask mandate for planes, trains, and airports was voided. U.S. airlines and airports no longer enforce mask-wearing, but the ruling may not apply if you are flying internationally. Although many countries have also lifted their mask rules for travel, you should confirm which rules are in place with your airline before your trip.

Is it safer in business or first class?

For travelers wondering whether it's worth splurging for a seat in business or first class for added safety, it depends. While the experts agreed that there is likely to be more overall space, especially between passengers in first class, it's probably not going to make much of a difference, unless you're in a particularly secluded seat or suite. It's also worth noting that food and drink service has made its return with meal selections that go beyond snack boxes and drink options that include beer and wine.

Expect changes in flight schedules.

While flights are operating at much higher percentages than a year ago, some airlines are still operating fewer routes. Fewer available flights mean a smaller breadth of options when it comes to choosing what time or day to fly. Ideally, you should aim for nonpeak flight times, but it may just come down to what's available. As demand rises and airlines test their legs and schedules, domestic flights are more likely to ebb and flow, so expect disruptions , sudden changes, and/or flight consolidations. Depending on demand, the airline may change, cancel, or rebook you.

Is it safe to fly with family or friends?

If you're traveling with anyone else — be it, family, friends, or a significant other — consider yourselves as one unit. "Family should sit together," said Dr. Just. "Significant others and close friends, they should sit together — and away from others." Splitting up or dispersing around the plane only increases the amount of exposure of the unit.

Are there alternative options to commercial flights?

For those who can afford it, private charters offer a safer space, control over the details, and overall less risk than commercial flights. Andy Christie, global private jets director at Air Charter Service , a global charter brokerage service that helps connect travelers with private charter flights, said taking a private charter flight can almost "completely minimize the risk of transmission," simply by reducing the number of contact points and exposures. Private charters eliminate the need to wait in lines, share a plane with strangers, or even step foot inside a terminal.

The hop-on, short-haul jet service JSX offers a compromise: a private jet experience at near-commercial prices (fares include checked bags, seat assignments, snacks, and drinks, including alcohol). Their flights operate out of private hangars and terminals, and planes have been reconfigured from 50 seats down to 30, giving passengers around 36 inches of seat pitch — or a similar experience to business class seats on a major domestic airline. CEO Alex Wilcox said JSX has also implemented new pandemic-focused safety features and procedures, like enhanced cleaning.

What about airports?

When we talk about flying, we also have to assume the risks of being in the airport. Overall, airports are doing their part to create safe, clean spaces for travelers. Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst and principal at Atmosphere Research, said some precautions include touchless kiosks, frequent cleaning, hand sanitizer stations, self-removal of personal items during security checks, and plexiglass shields in front of traveler-facing employees, from gate agents to shop cashiers.

"Airports are required to follow local laws or guidelines," explained Harteveldt. "So, if there's a state or local guideline that says that face coverings are required, you are required as a passenger to keep your face mask on." He noted there are exceptions, like if you're eating or drinking, or going through TSA and need to pull down your mask to show identification.

Still, Dr. Nanos urges travelers to make a comparative risk assessment. "Take the same precautions that you would be indoors, whether you're going to a restaurant or movie theater," she advised.

Is flying safer now that more people are vaccinated?

Now that vaccines are available throughout the United States, more people may feel comfortable flying again. Bryan Del Monte, an aviation industry expert and president of The Aviation Agency, said, "As more people get vaccinated, flights are undoubtedly going to be safer." He added, "The vaccinated are less likely to transmit illness, less likely to contract any serious illness, and their vaccination helps negate the challenges of the two biggest factors in getting people sick on an aircraft: duration of exposure and proximity. Thus, as vaccination rates increase, I would conclude that airline travel becomes less and less likely a significant source of COVID-19 transmission." Note that booster shots are also now readily available which help strengthen the protection your vaccine provides. You can get your booster shots five months after your second dose of the vaccine.

It is important to note with new variants, spreading COVID-19 can happen whether or not you are vaccinated. Per the CDC, wearing a well-fitting mask while you travel can help protect you and others.

Is it safe to fly if you have pre-existing conditions or are in the at-risk category?

Unfortunately, rules and risks shift when it comes to travelers with pre-existing conditions or those who are in the vulnerable category for the novel coronavirus. "COVID-19 is not over," said Dr. Just. "So, think about it in these terms: If you are in that category and you want to take a risk, consider how important it is for you." Dr. Nanos echoed this advice, saying, "It's probably best for those people to kind of lay low for a little while, but again, it's that level of personal risk that everyone is willing to assume."

What about flying during the holiday season or summer vacation?

For the most part, assessing the risks of flying during the holidays or summer vacation season isn't much different than any other time. However, these are traditionally high volume travel periods, and statistically, there has been a spike in COVID-19 cases after long weekends and holidays.

Understand the studies.

There have been multiple studies conducted on the safety of flying during the pandemic — and while some academic studies tout relative safety, other reports of airplane super-spreader events indicate that it is possible for the virus to spread on flights.

The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle. Each flight will present its own variables and level of risk. In September 2020, after tracing 1,600 flights in which someone on board may have had COVID-19, the CDC reported to CNN that nearly 11,000 people were possibly infected from taking flights connected to these cases. The truth is, the lack of contact tracing and the virus' long incubation period make it tough to undoubtedly link cases to flights.

Reduce your overall risk.

The number one thing is to recognize your responsibility. When determining whether or not to fly, consider your fellow passengers. "Start by wearing a face covering," said Harteveldt. "It's a critical step travelers can take to reduce their potential to spread the virus. Remember, you may have the virus and be asymptomatic." His sentiment was echoed by nearly everyone we spoke with. Harteveldt also recommends taking advantage of any and all mobile apps or contactless versions of the process, like using your own personal device to stream in-flight entertainment, avoiding checking bags, and planning your trip so you spend as little time as possible in the airport.

Dr. Just urges travelers to opt for direct flights whenever possible. "It is much safer to take one flight," he said. "If you're taking several legs, you will sit next to several passengers." Direct flights mean fewer airports and exposures overall. In addition to wearing a mask, he also advocates for speaking up "for your own interest and the interest of your fellow passengers" whenever you see someone who is not wearing a mask. Kelly notes that you can also enlist the help of a flight attendant if you don't feel comfortable calling someone out on your own.

Kelly also recommends that travelers reduce their risk by driving themselves to the airport, wearing sunglasses for the duration of the flight to help prevent touching their face, investing in a face covering that will not easily fall down or slip, and packing their own snacks since in-flight service and airport vendors may be minimal.

Other expert tips include opening the in-flight air vent to help circulate the air around you, bringing your own stash of hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes and wiping down your entire seating area, packing your own blanket and pillow (provided you wash them between uses), and immediately sanitizing your hands every time you touch any surfaces or possible contaminants.

"If you want to wear a contraption or scrub down your seat, I would say that judgment is no longer there," said Kelly. "Self-admittedly, I was not a big seat scrubber — not that I judged people who did — but now it's the norm. So have at it, and don't feel bad about having your own cleaning processes or your own food on the plane."

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Is it safe to fly right now? What to know about air travel and COVID-19

Airports are preparing for a crush of passengers as holiday air travel in 2021 is expected to approach pre-pandemic levels.

More than 6 million people are expected to fly between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2., with airlines projected to see a 184% increase in passengers from 2020, according to AAA , which called it a "dramatic bounce-back."

"With vaccines widely available, conditions are much different and many people feel a greater level of comfort with travel," said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, in a statement.

Holiday bookings for Christmas and the New Year's holiday have been coming in "very, very strong," Ed Bastian, the CEO of Delta Air Lines, told CNBC. United has been flying its largest schedule since the start of the pandemic, adding more than 200 daily domestic flights to meet the increased demand.

More than 2 million people passed through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints on Dec. 16, 2021 — more than double the passenger volume on the same day in 2020.

But the rapid spread of the omicron variant may have many people wondering: Is it safe to fly right now?

'Very low' risk

There's not a one-size-fits-all answer to that question — it all depends on a person's risk tolerance and their own risk factors for severe disease, said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security in Baltimore and a spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Masks are required on planes and at airports, and as long as people are complying, there's not a major risk from flying, he noted.

"Transmission on a plane of COVID-19 is not very common because of the (air) circulation and because of the mask wearing," Adalja told TODAY.

"(But) there's always going to be some level of COVID risk with any activity you do, whether it's flying, riding the bus or going to the post office... for most people, I think it's an acceptable risk."

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The more vaccinated passengers and crew are on a plane, the safer air travel is, Adalja added, so he was a fan of airlines mandating vaccinations as a condition of employment, the way United Airlines has .

Masking and vaccines are the best tools we have against both the omicron and delta variants, he said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people to delay travel until they were fully vaccinated. If that's not possible, they should get tested one to three days before their trip.

Given the high quality of cabin air and the various safety measures in place, there is "very low" risk of contracting COVID-19 on board a plane, according to the International Air Transport Association , which represents airlines around the world.

What studies have found:

United Airlines and the Department of Defense teamed up on a six-month study that found the risk of contracting COVID-19 on commercial flights was low when passengers wore masks for the entirety of the flight. The highest risk was associated with sitting in the same row, or a row in front of or behind, an infected person. This study didn't take into account the risk associated with being in a crowded airport or boarding a flight.

Researchers have said factors that may prevent transmission on planes include the airflow in the cabin from the ceiling to the floor and all passengers wearing face coverings.

But if everyone took off their masks at the same time for a one-hour in-flight meal service, the average infection probability increased by 59%, a study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine in May 2021 found.

Health & Wellness Current COVID-19 boosters are enough to fight the omicron variant, Fauci says

Still, most viruses don’t spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on planes, the CDC noted.

Carriers like American Airlines have been touting the use of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters on board that capture “at least 99.97% of airborne microbes by circulating the cabin air once every 2 to 4 minutes.”

Airlines have also implemented enhanced cleanings and traveler health acknowledgments during check-in.

A paper by Arnold Barnett, a statistics professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management in Cambridge, Massachusetts, looked at the probability of an air traveler contracting COVID-19 from a nearby passenger while sitting in economy class on a two-hour domestic U.S. flight. He assumed everyone was wearing masks.

Barnett calculated the risk at 1 in 4,300 for full flights, which went down to 1 in 7,700 when middle seats were kept empty.

It's not clear that two hours spent on a plane involved a higher COVID-19 infection risk than two hours doing any other everyday activities during the pandemic, Barnett concluded in the study.

"You don't get sick on airplanes any more than anywhere else," wrote Joseph Allen, an assistant professor of exposure assessment science at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, in The Washington Post . "The required aircraft systems do a really good job of controlling airborne bacteria and viruses."

Danger on the ground

Experts have been more worried about coronavirus spread before flights.

“My concern has really been in the airports funneling people through hallways and jet ways and metal detectors,” said Dr. Michael Mina, an epidemiologist at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, during a briefing in 2020. “The whole process of airports… and squishing people together. We know that this virus can be airborne and it can linger for a little bit.”

Any part of the trip where you can’t social distance is more risky since the virus transmits most efficiently when people are in close contact together, including at the airport food court and standing at the gate before boarding, Adalja added. He also believed people’s behavior at the destination was usually riskier than the journey itself.

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If you plan to fly soon, Adalja recommended taking all the usual precautions during the trip: Wash your hands frequently, wear a face covering as required, avoid the crowded parts of the airport and try to stay 6 feet apart from everybody. Always have hand sanitizer with you.

Some studies have found the window seat may be best to avoid getting sick because it offers the least contact with other passengers, but Adalja was skeptical. It all depends on who's sitting beside you since it’s usually 10-15 minutes of close proximity — not fleeting contact — that transmits the new coronavirus virus, he said.

If you’re more likely to get the severe form of COVID-19, consider if it's worth the risk to fly. Don't fly if you're sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick. These are all important things to keep in mind during the holiday travel season.

This article was updated in December 2021 to include the most recent research and statistics.

A. Pawlowski is a TODAY health reporter focusing on health news and features. Previously, she was a writer, producer and editor at CNN.

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What to know about flying during the COVID-19 pandemic

Traveling by airplane during the COVID-19 pandemic carries a unique set of risks and challenges, and the situation is constantly changing. While face masks, vaccines, and testing make travel as safe as possible, they do not fully eliminate the risk of spreading the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The actual risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — depends on various factors. These include a person’s vaccination status, previous infection status, the airline’s precautions, and more.

Most data shows that COVID-19 transmission rates on flights are relatively low . According to guidelines, people are most likely to acquire the virus if they are within two rows or 2 meters of a person who has COVID-19.

Read more to learn about safety precautions to take before, during, and after air travel.

Coronavirus resources

For more advice on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, visit our coronavirus hub .

What to know

The main risk of air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic is sitting or standing close to other people for potentially long periods of time. Risk is particularly high while waiting to board the plane, leaving the plane, and waiting at baggage claim.

However, some aspects of air travel may reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. These include:

• in-flight ventilation systems
• airline and airport policies about physical distancing, masks, temperature checks, and contact tracing
• air filtration systems designed to reduce exposure to viral particles

Additionally, people can take individual precautions to mitigate risk. These include getting vaccinated and wearing a face mask .

However, in the close quarters of an airplane — and potentially crowded airports — it is impossible to eliminate the risk of spreading COVID-19.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has adopted several policies to reduce transmission risks. These include :

• wearing face masks, even in states and cities that do not require them
• allowing passengers to take one 12-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer on board
• requiring TSA agents to replace their gloves each time they pat down a passenger
• creating barriers and reminders of physical distancing

Before travel 

Before flying, a person can research the airline and country’s travel regulations. If they have questions or concerns, they can contact the airline for assistance. Most airlines list detailed information and rules on their websites.

Flying when sick — even if the illness is minor — can potentially spread COVID-19. People who have any symptoms should contact the airline about rescheduling their flight.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend delaying travel until a person is fully up to date with their vaccines. Additionally, people boarding an international flight to the United States must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof that they have recovered from COVID-19. Many other countries have similar regulations.

Various airlines may also require passengers to complete a pre-travel checklist. This can include submitting proof of a negative COVID-19 test, performing a temperature check, and more.

During travel 

The TSA and individual airlines require mask-wearing both in airports and on planes. While face mask mandates are ending, airports and airlines seem to be continuing to require their use.

When traveling, it may also be useful to bring multiple face masks. People can replace them periodically throughout a long travel day, which can make their experience more comfortable.

A person can improve their own safety by observing TSA reminders about physical distancing. They can sit with their travel companions, keep a safe distance from others, and practice frequent handwashing.

After travel 

Several strategies after travel may help minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Some regions require a quarantine period after travel. For example, as of March 2022, Hawaii requires people who are not fully vaccinated or who do not provide proof of a negative test to quarantine for 5 days .

A person can help protect themselves and others by taking additional precautions, such as:

• avoiding people who are high risk of developing serious illness and unvaccinated individuals for at least 5 days after flying
• getting tested for COVID-19 or self-isolating if a person develops symptoms
• consider testing for COVID-19 about 5 days after a flight

When to avoid travel 

According to the CDC , a person should avoid travel if:

• they have symptoms of COVID-19
• they have had or have had a positive COVID-19 test in the last 10 days
• they had close contact with a person with COVID-19
• they are unvaccinated

How safe is flying during the COVID-19 pandemic? 

The virus spreads easily in close quarters. A person is more likely to contract the virus when they are close enough to a person to inhale aerosols containing viral particles. This can happen on airplanes when people sit close to one another, in busy airport lines, and in close airport seating.

However, airplanes and airports have not proven to be locations of “superspreader” events. This may partly be due to the many precautions TSA and airlines are taking.

Even early in the pandemic, COVID-19 transmission on flights was relatively low.

For example, a March 19, 2020 flight included 241 passengers. Of those, 18 were primary cases, and 11 were secondary cases. It is likely that most of the secondary infections spread on the flight.

It is important to note that no public activity is fully safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the more layers of protection a person adds to their COVID-19 prevention strategy, the lower their chances of contracting the virus.

Some important protection strategies include:

• getting vaccinated and getting a booster shot when eligible
• wearing a high quality N95 or KN95 mask over the mouth and nose
• avoiding crowded places before and after flying
• avoiding traveling if a person has any symptoms

Flying during the COVID-19 can be overwhelming, but taking certain precautions can make the experience safer and more enjoyable.

Vaccinations, masks, distancing, and testing can minimize the risks of spreading the virus. People with medical conditions should consider consulting a doctor before flying to assess their risk and weigh the benefits and risks of taking a flight.

Last medically reviewed on March 28, 2022

• Immune System / Vaccines

How we reviewed this article:

• About COVID-19. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/about-covid-19.html
• Bhuvan, K. C., et al . (2021). Safety of air travel during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8180446
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ. (n.d.). https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/faq
• COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). (n.d.). https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/covid-19-updates
• Khatib, A. N., et al. (2020). Navigating the risks of flying during COVID-19: A review for safe air travel. https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/27/8/taaa212/5976283?login=true
• TSA: What to know before you go. (n.d.). https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/covid-19_infographic.pdf

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How risky is air travel in the pandemic? Here’s what the science says.

The airline industry says getting on a plane is safe. But nothing is perfectly safe when it comes to Covid-19.

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According to the airline industry, it’s safe to fly during the Covid-19 pandemic. United Airlines boasts that the “risk of exposure to Covid-19 is almost non-existent on our flights.” Southwest Airlines has opened up middle seats for passengers, saying the odds of catching the coronavirus on a plane are “similar to the odds of being struck by lightning.”

Airline companies clearly have an interest in selling more tickets. But should we buy their confidence?

At the beginning of the pandemic, people who were infected with the virus boarded planes and rapidly seeded outbreaks all over the world. But whether planes themselves are a dangerous place to become infected, and infect others, has been more of an open question.

The truth is we don’t really know the answer yet. There are few high-quality studies on transmission on airplanes, and they all come with important caveats and uncertainties.

But the best research available provides some clues.

Here’s where things stand: Flying is not the most dangerous activity during the pandemic. It’s safer than, say, going to a crowded bar for drinks . But safer does not necessarily mean safe. There have been credible instances of transmission on planes, particularly on longer flights and earlier on in the pandemic (when the current guidelines for masking and other risk-reducing actions weren’t in place).

In ideal conditions — for example, everyone wears a mask, there’s staggered seating, and the aircraft’s ventilation system runs all the time — yes, flying is a relatively low-risk activity.

But there are many gray areas — situations that arise in an airport and on a plane — that probably increase the chance of virus spread but aren’t well understood. For example, while scientists have looked at the risk of viral transmission in flight, they haven’t studied the transmission dangers posed by crowding during boarding or deplaning.

Flying may be a relatively low risk, but we must ask ourselves: Should we really be traveling in the first place? Getting on a plane might not even be the most dangerous part about travel — it could be the new exposure potential when you get to your destination.

Even though there isn’t one simple answer here, there are many, many ways both passengers and airlines can reduce risk.

Let’s dive in.

Why we don’t know exactly how risky flying is

“How safe is air travel during the Covid-19 pandemic?” sounds like a simple question, but it’s deceptively hard to answer scientifically.

To know with reasonable certainty, you’d need to run a study that involves something like isolating passengers for weeks before a flight and then testing them to make sure they do not have Covid-19, while also blinding them to the reason they’re submitting to testing. Then you’d put them on a plane with another passenger or crew member (or both) who is infectious. David Freedman , an infectious disease specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, told Vox it’s the flight crew members who are most likely to be infected via air travel. They’re the ones spending a lot of time interfacing with the public. “The airlines don’t like to talk about this,” Freedman said.

Of course, no ethics review board would ever approve such an experiment — and the level of risk is different on a plane with zero or two cases versus five or 10.

“[A] long-haul flight is more risky than short-haul flights, since there’s more passenger and crew movement. A full flight is more risky than a half-full flight, where hopefully they space you,” said Anthony Harries, a senior adviser at the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease who authored a review of the research on the safety of flying during the pandemic.

We don’t have comprehensive real-world data on these travel scenarios because public health agencies and airlines don’t track down every passenger to see if they became sick after a flight.

And it’s not just the planes, either. Airports are also potentially dangerous places for swapping microbes. “They’re closed in, no open windows. You don’t know what the ventilation is like, if they’ve got decent filters like on airplanes,” Harries added.

What we have instead is imperfect research evidence that’s mostly taken one of two approaches.

The first is an engineering approach: using controlled experiments or mathematical modeling to try to figure out the likelihood of the virus spreading in the airplane environment.

The second involves detective work: using contact tracers to track a cluster of cases involving one or more infected people who were on a plane and spread the virus to others. The best of these studies also use genome sequencing to confirm the virus is genetically linked in the passengers who became ill.

Modeling and experimental studies show that airplanes are pretty safe — under ideal conditions

Let’s first look at the modeling studies.

Planes have an important built-in safety measure when it comes to the spread of respiratory viruses: air filtration and ventilation systems. To help stop the spread of infectious diseases like the flu, air quality experts have long recommended that air in an indoor space be filtered — where it’s passed through a membrane that catches virtually all of the tiny aerosols or droplets that might contain the virus — or replaced by fresh air around six times per hour . In practice, planes have an air exchange rate closer to 20 or 30 times per hour . (Federal Aviation Administration regulations require each passenger be provided 0.55 pounds of fresh air per minute.)

The airflow in the plane is also designed to keep any droplets spewed by a passenger from floating around the cabin. The air flows from the top of a passenger’s head and is collected down by their feet, which keeps whatever we exhale from spreading too far horizontally.

In ideal circumstances, this air filtration system should work very well. One study from the Department of Defense (which was, in part, sponsored by the airline industry, so take that into consideration), fitted an aircraft with mannequins equipped with nebulizers to mimic real human breathing. In the experiment, the “breath” from the mannequins was marked with a fluorescent tracer so that researchers could see what happened in real time.

The study concluded that due to the high air-circulation rate, the risk of being infected even while sitting next to an infectious person was very, very low: According to the test results, it would take 54 hours for someone sitting next to an infected passenger to be exposed to an infectious dose of the virus.

This number sounds precise — and encouraging — but the study had numerous limitations. The researchers assumed only one person aboard the plane was infected, that everyone was wearing masks at all times, and that the infected passenger never turned their head and sat facing forward for the entire flight.

The study also looked at only the spread of aerosolized particles that can linger in the air — it didn’t consider the spread of the larger viral-laden droplets that fall to the ground more quickly. If you’re sitting next to a person who’s coughing out lots of big droplets, that could still be a problem.

A final caveat: The study makes an assumption about what constitutes an infectious dose of the coronavirus, though virologists haven’t determined that yet.

Meanwhile, researchers at Harvard also developed a mathematical model on Covid-19 transmission risk on airplanes, based on what’s known about ventilation systems. They arrived at similar conclusions: The risk of infection while flying is very low because of those ventilation systems. (The Harvard study, published independently by the university and not in a peer-reviewed journal, was partially funded by Airlines for America, an industry trade association.)

But the authors of the study acknowledge they can’t account for all the behaviors that may occur on a plane, including walking up and down the aisles, eating, and drinking. And they can’t account for the behaviors of other passengers, either.

“All these systems can be defeated if people are not wearing masks,” Ed Nardell , a professor of immunology and infectious diseases and a co-author of the Harvard analysis, said during a press call. He pointed to other gray areas as well, like the risk of people standing less than 6 feet apart while boarding, waiting to use the bathroom, and deplaning. “That’s going to be an important thing, that people are not ganged up ... on the bridge, or standing in the aisles for a long period of time,” he said.

These models also account for the plane’s ventilation systems running at full speed mid-flight. But the ventilation systems aren’t always turned on at full blast while a plane is being boarded, taxiing, or sitting at the gate — again, the precise moments during a flight when people are most likely to crowd together.

“We made a recommendation that the ventilation system be turned on when planes are on the ground,” Lenny Marcus , another co-author of the Harvard paper, said on the press call. But they’re not guaranteed to be. In the worst-case scenario, you could be stuck for hours at the gate, stewing in less than perfectly filtered air.

In contact-tracing studies on flights, there are several documented examples of coronavirus spread

Even better than modeling studies is the evidence we have from real-world examples where Covid-19 (almost certainly) spread on planes. Freedman, the infectious disease specialist, co-authored one of the most comprehensive papers on the subject — a review of studies looking at flights with possible transmission, published in the Journal of Travel Medicine in late September.

He and co-author Annelies Wilder-Smith studied peer-reviewed research and public health publications from January to September to identify instances of Covid-19 spread on flights, then ranked them by the certainty with which we could trust the results.

Let’s look at the four strongest case studies, all of which were considered “mass transmission events,” or flights that generated at least two additional Covid-19 cases.

Two of those studies used the “ genetic detective” approach mentioned previously: whole-genome sequencing to tease out whether cases that seemed to originate in flight were, in fact, genetically linked.

1) In the first paper, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases , 11 people were PCR positive and symptomatic on a March flight from Sydney to Perth, Australia — nine of them having recently disembarked from a cruise ship where there was an outbreak. They infected 11 others on the flight — none of whom had been on the cruise ship — with a strain of the virus that hadn’t yet been identified in Australia. Masks weren’t mandatory at the time, and in interviews, passengers said mask-wearing was rare (though two passengers who got the virus in flight did wear masks, though not for the entire journey).

2) In another genetics study, also published in Emerging Infectious Diseases , researchers traced four Covid-19 cases recorded in Hong Kong backward to an international flight from Boston in early March (when masking wasn’t required). Not only were these four cases on the same flight, the authors of the paper concluded that each case had a virus with a genetic sequence that had never been documented in Hong Kong before. The researchers deduced that two of the passengers on the flight must have acquired the virus with this particular genetic sequence in North America, then boarded a plane where they likely transmitted the virus to two flight attendants.

In both of these studies, it’s very difficult to prove that transmission happened in flight. But the whole genome sequencing linking the cases with a strain of the virus — that wasn’t circulating in the places the passengers boarded the flights — tells us that’s very likely.

3) Two of the other four highest-quality papers didn’t use genetic sequencing, but they also offered compelling evidence of virus spread on planes. In one, also published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases , a symptomatic business-class passenger with Covid-19 boarded a London-Hanoi flight and appears to have infected 15 people (12 in business class, two in economy, and one flight attendant). The authors reasoned that at the time of the flight — March 2 — neither the UK nor Vietnam had more than a handful of Covid-19 cases, so it’s very likely the transmissions occurred in the air.

4) The final example was essentially a slightly pared-down real-world version of the unethical experiment described earlier. Since April in Hong Kong, air travel passengers are required to submit to PCR testing upon landing and then quarantine for 14 days. The information on cases can tell us how many people on a flight are positive when they arrive at a destination, and how many go on to develop Covid-19 — suggesting they probably picked it up in the air.

The flight described in the paper was a virtual hotbed of Covid-19: An astonishing 27 passengers had the virus upon arrival in Hong Kong from Dubai, meaning they were probably already infectious when they got on the plane. The researchers determined that they likely passed the virus on to two other people (both people were negative upon landing but tested positive by day 14). Notably, this was a flight where mask-wearing was mandatory, which may explain why the 27 index cases only generated an additional two cases.

Given all the flying that’s happened during the pandemic and these relatively few well-documented examples of virus spread, the airline industry has been arguing that this means there’s a “low incidence of inflight COVID-19 transmission.”

Freedman sees it a different way: “The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” Since the burden of proving a Covid-19 case was generated in the air — and not through contact just before getting on the plane or just after — is really high, and not all passengers are followed up with, there’s probably a lot we’re missing, he reasoned.

What this suggests about the risk of flying in the pandemic

Together, the modeling studies and contact tracing studies tell us a few things about flying in the pandemic: Covid-19 definitely spreads on planes, seemingly mostly to passengers who are seated near index cases, though it’s not clear how often this happens. And there’s some good news: Masks seem to help.

So what does this mean for the people who want to go home for the holidays or visit loved ones across the country? There are a few things we can take away from the research.

1) Mask-wearing probably reduces your risk of catching the virus . Three of the mass transmission events — where more than one person got infected — Freedman’s study uncovered happened on flights early in the pandemic, when masking wasn’t mandatory. In contrast, in the flight from Dubai to Hong Kong, which carried 27 passengers who were coronavirus positive, there was universal masking in place and only two people got infected. (One of them was seated in a row with five people who tested positive for the virus on arrival.)

“The circumstantial evidence is extremely strong that these [mass transmission] incidences we know about really stopped happening after the airlines started implementing some form of masking,” Freedman said. Wearing glasses or a face shield to cover your eyes too is probably even more protective (though face shields are not a substitute for masks ).

2) Proximity matters. In all four real-world examples mentioned above, most of the cases were clustered near the person who was sick — and a minority happened more than three rows away from an index case. According to the Harvard report authors , when more than 60 percent of seats on a plane are occupied, “it is no longer possible to rely on physical distancing alone to mitigate the risk of virus transmission.”

3) You’re subjected to other people’s behaviors on a flight in a way you can’t escape. Even with universal mask-wearing, people might remove their mask to eat or talk. Or they might not wear their mask properly. And flying is different from other activities we do that involve some coronavirus risk: If someone started coughing in a meeting or restaurant, you could simply walk away, but the same isn’t true for an airplane. People “don’t want to take a chance on being a prisoner in a circumstance they can’t control,” Freedman said.

Overall, the risk of getting the virus on a plane is probably low, he noted, lower than going to a crowded bar or restaurant. But it’s not zero. What’s more, “Travel is a process that is more than just the flight itself. Passengers need to weigh their tolerance of risk in this context.” You may wind up in a line for boarding or the bathroom, where it’s harder to distance.

“When you’re traveling, I think you’re more at the hands of those around you in terms of how safe are they being,” said Saskia Popescu , an infectious disease epidemiologist and assistant professor with George Mason University. “And that kind of leaves you in a bit of a vulnerable position. So there’s only so much we can control when we’re traveling. And that’s the first step in really understanding the risks at hand.”

So: Should you fly?

Even if flying is perfectly safe — and, by now, we know it’s not — it’s worth being really cautious about travel. “Travel is one of the things, ideally, we’d be trying to minimize right now,” said Julia Marcus , an epidemiologist at Harvard, while recognizing that’s not going to be possible for a lot of people who have to travel for work or a family emergency.

But think hard: Do you really need to go? Because travel, overall, is how this disease spreads between regions. “Airplanes are certainly vectors of disease, efficiently transporting infectious people around countries and the globe,” Joseph Allen, a public health researcher at Harvard, wrote in the Washington Post. “This is obviously critical in terms of outbreak control for Covid-19.”

The Covid-19 outbreaks grew to pandemic proportions because of air travel, but it’s not necessarily because of the planes themselves — it’s because of travelers’ behavior once they arrived at their destinations. You might, for example, end up at a gathering in a friend’s home with people who aren’t wearing masks.

So be especially cautious if you’re flying from an area with an uncontrolled or rising outbreak to an area with lower levels of infection, or vice versa. You run the risk of exposing a community to the virus, or catching the virus yourself.

There’s also your individual risk profile and tolerance to consider. Someone flying home to see a beloved family member perhaps for the last time simply has a different risk calculus than someone whose family members are all likely to be around for years to come. People who are in higher-risk groups for serious Covid-19 illness might also be more hesitant than people who aren’t.

It is “helpful to think somewhat long term because we are in a long-term situation here,” Marcus said. “One of the ways that we can adapt is to have some flexibility around our traditions and rituals that are really important in our lives.”

If you decide to fly, how can you minimize your risk?

First and foremost: Check the airline’s policy before you go. Some airlines are still practicing physical distancing and spacing out passengers, but others aren’t.

Harries, who co-wrote a review of the research on the safety of flying , had some useful advice to reduce your risk of getting sick on the plane or transmitting to anyone else.

• Wear a mask and bring extra masks in case the one you’re wearing gets dirty or breaks.
• Consider shielding your eyes with sunglasses, goggles, or a face shield.
• Do all the usual pandemic hygiene things you’ve gotten used to: Take alcohol-based sanitizers on the flight and wipe surfaces around you, regularly wash or sanitize your hands, and don’t touch your face.
• Stay away from other people as much as possible — so don’t congregate in the bathroom, or in a lineup to board or deplane.
• Try not to talk or yell (that’s how droplets spread).
• If you’re near someone who is coughing, ask to be moved away.
• Snag a window seat (since people seated in window seats have less contact with other people).
• Minimize eating or drinking, since you have to de-mask to do these things.
• Minimize going to the bathroom on the plane (again, where you’ll have contact with others and their germs).
• If there’s an air nozzle above you, keep it on maximum and point it at your head to keep air flowing from above you to your feet.

Harries also suggested thinking about how you get to the airport — taking a taxi or your own car instead of a crowded bus, for example. And, of course, distancing while at the airport, boarding, or deplaning, too.

So, if you have to travel, do everything you can to reduce your risk of catching or spreading anything, and that’ll go a long way even if you can’t control what others on the plane are doing.

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Is it safe to travel yet? Current travel guidelines for COVID-19

Travel restrictions are still prominent across the US and other countries.

Are you dreaming about getting on a plane and traveling after a year of being stuck at home during the pandemic ? You're not alone. With the vaccine rolling out , we are getting closer to that reality. But whether or not you've already been vaccinated, widespread travel for everyone is going to take time.

In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that travelers boarding international flights to the US will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test . This includes US citizens returning to the US after a trip, not just foreign travelers coming for a visit. 

The CDC also recommends that international travelers returning to the US test again three to five days after arrival and stay at home for seven days post-travel.

As countries keep changing and adding travel restrictions, many people with cabin fever are wondering: Is it safe to travel yet? The pandemic is not over, so the obvious answer is no, not really, but it's worth discussing the caveats in light of the CDC's recent air travel announcement. 

Is it safe to travel right now?

Even with enhanced safety protocols, it's not 100% safe to travel.

It's still not 100% safe to travel domestically or internationally, despite the ongoing rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine . While the vaccine offers a shred of hope, not enough people have been vaccinated to bring the US to herd immunity, and there's still risk of contracting the virus abroad. 

Becky Liu-Lastres , a professor of crisis management and risk management in tourism at Indiana University, explains that "the sense of perceived safety is highly subjective." 

"How an individual evaluates the situation is largely influenced by their personal experiences, their surroundings and their knowledge on the issue," Liu-Lastres says, so "people should take a look at the evidence, such as the number of cases [where they're going and coming from] and the potential health consequences of COVID-19, and then make the judgment."

Keep in mind that COVID-19 isn't the only risk of traveling right now. If you travel to an area with low ICU capacity because of high numbers of coronavirus cases and get in an accident that requires medical treatment or have some other life-threatening emergency, you may not be able to go to a hospital for treatment. Some states, including California, have issued warnings regarding ICU capacity and non-COVID-19, out-of-state travelers for those exact reasons.

When can we expect it to be safe to travel again?

It may not be truly safe to travel again, especially internationally, until the majority of countries reach herd immunity.

Most experts agree that it won't be 100% safe to travel domestically until the US reaches herd immunity , and that it won't be 100% safe to travel internationally until the country of origin and the destination both have herd immunity.

The vaccine rollout will help expedite the long road to herd immunity, although there's no telling when enough of the population will be vaccinated to actually reach it. (Dr. Anthony Fauci has said it could take until the end of 2021 to vaccinate all American adults, although President Joe Biden has promised vaccines for every American adult by May .)

It's not realistic, however, to ban all travel until all countries have herd immunity. That said, "as long as the situation is being managed, meaning that people are recovering and no new cases are being reported nationwide or globally, then we are probably safe to travel again," Liu-Lastres says. 

Can I travel internationally from the US?

It depends. Although the total number of international flights has been reduced during the pandemic, international travel is still happening -- but the fact that airlines are running flights doesn't automatically mean it's safe to travel out of the US. 

As with domestic travel , it's up to each traveler to weigh the risks of their situation, Liu-Lastres says, as well as check the safety protocols of the country you wish to visit.

Many countries have established their own policy on COVID-19 upon entry:

• The UK requires travelers from the US to undertake a 14-day quarantine, unless they're an exempt traveler, which includes "high-value" travelers  (e.g., elite athletes, performers), students and health care professionals. Travelers must also present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of travel. Right now, it's still illegal for people living in the UK to travel abroad for leisure. 
• Other European countries still prohibit entry by tourists and other nonessential travelers from the US and other places. Before you travel, check the websites of US embassies and consulates in the area, as well as tourism and travel resources from the country you wish to visit. 
• Across Asia, many countries are gradually opening to international travelers with restrictions. China, for example, requires all travelers to take COVID-19 tests and these tests have to be taken in specific labs, which are examined and approved by the Chinese authority. They are also required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival and take additional tests. Other popular destinations, such as Korea, Indonesia and Thailand, require travelers to have a negative COVID-19 test to board a plane to the country and a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. As of Jan. 15, short-term travel to Japan for tourism and other reasons is prohibited for US citizens.
• South America is in the process of reopening to tourists, although recent fears of a new coronavirus variant originating from Brazil have sparked other countries to ban travelers from South America . For North American travelers, most destinations in South America  still don't permit travel for tourism. If travelers must go, most countries require them to present negative COVID-19 test results, normally recorded within 72 hours of boarding their final flight. Some South American countries also require 10 or 14 days of self-isolation upon entry.

No matter where you go, follow the country's COVID-19 rules and guidelines upon entry, for the entire duration of your visit and upon departure. After you travel internationally, follow CDC guidelines to keep your family and community safe .

What's the safest way to travel right now?

Consider taking trips by car instead of by train or plane.

The absolute safest thing to do is to not travel, but if you must travel, go by car. Traveling in your own vehicle allows you to control factors that affect your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19, Liu-Lastres says. For example, you can keep hand sanitizer and antimicrobial wipes in your car and travel with your own food to avoid eating at crowded restaurants. 

If you've been bitten by the travel bug and absolutely must cure cabin fever, "consider domestic destinations and carefully plan your trips," Liu-Lastres says. "You need to search for information related to your transportation as well as destinations … What self-protective measures can you take? For destination, where you are going to stay? And what attractions are you going to visit? Are there requirements for COVID-19 tests? Are the attractions still open? Is it safe to visit?" 

These are just some example questions you would need to ask yourself before you take or even plan a trip, Liu-Lastres says.

Read more :  10 activities that expose you to coronavirus, from most to least risky

What are the risks of traveling?

When considering travel, think about the risks posed to you and your family, as well as the risks you pose to others. 

"Sometimes, without noticing, asymptomatic travelers may spread the virus to local communities," Liu-Lastres says. "That is one of the main reasons why travel bans are in place as a direct response to manage the pandemic."

Additionally, travelers risk catching COVID-19 and bringing it back to their home country, which can have severe health repercussions for themselves, their family and friends and their community as a whole.

For the destination and its residents, being in touch with travelers may expose residents to the risks of getting infected, which may further affect the destination community and stress local health care facilities.

So, not only does traveling expose you to new people and places that could increase your risk of catching the virus, but you could expose others to the virus without knowing it or become a burden on the hospital system of a country already struggling to treat residents, Liu-Lastres explains.

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Places the U.S. Government Warns Not to Travel Right Now

You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.

Do Not Travel to These Countries

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Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.

In 2024, tourism across the globe is “well on track” to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.

Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

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Simple Flying

How flying today is safer than at any time in the past.

Becoming safer with every year that passes.

It's been said that all aviation safety regulations are written in blood, but how true is that?

Every year, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) releases its global safety report. In its most recent iteration, findings showed that in 2022, the aviation industry saw a nearly 10% decrease in accidents compared to 2020—furthermore, fatalities resulting from aircraft accidents dropped by over 65%.

Interestingly, these numbers have fallen despite the number of scheduled flights increasing. The ICAO attributes the improvements in safety to the safety commitments shared across the industry. In fact - the trend across many years of aviation is that today, flying is safer than ever.

Improving safety over time

According to research by Harvard University, flying in the US, Europe, and Australia is significantly safer than driving a car. Your odds of being in an accident during a flight is one in 1.2 million, and the chance of that being fatal is one in 11 million. Comparatively, your chances of dying in a car crash are over 200,000 times higher, averaging around one in 5,000.

Harvard is far from the only US academic institution researching this topic. Indeed, a 2020 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study tracked how airline safety has improved in recent years. Between 2008 and 2017, there was one fatality for every 7.9 million passengers who boarded a flight, while between 1998 and 2007, it stood at closer to one death per 2.7 million passengers.

Love aviation history ? Discover more of our stories here

The trend is even more apparent in the pre-9/11 era of lowered safety standards, limited security, and airport vending machines offering airline insurance. From 1988 to 1997, there was one fatality for every 1.3 million passengers, and from 1978 to 1987, that decreased further to one per 750,000 boardings. 1968 to 1977 saw an abysmal record of one fatality for every 350,000 passengers. Adjusted to 2023 traffic figures, that would account for at least 18 aviation-related deaths every day.

Arnold Barnett, the author of the MIT paper, summarized the findings, outlining the astounding work the aviation industry has done to limit fatal accidents,

“The worldwide risk of being killed had been dropping by a factor of two every decade… The pace of improvement has not slackened at all even as flying has gotten ever safer and further gains become harder to achieve. That is really quite impressive and is important for people to bear in mind.”

Different rates for different regions

Of course, within the data, geographical differences can be found. The countries where passengers will find the lowest-risk airlines include Europe, China, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel. Across these countries, the fatality rate between 2008 and 2017 was one in 33.1 million passengers. Meanwhile, the higher-risk airlines came from developing countries that typically operate older aircraft or have limited regulatory oversight, such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

In these locations, the overall risk was found to be one fatality per 1.2 million passenger boardings. But, even here, the safety culture had improved dramatically, from one fatality per 400,000 boardings between 1998 and 2007.

What's making aviation so much safer?

A range of factors go into making air travel the safe environment it is today, ranging from engineering overhauls to improved regulation.

Recent technological developments have significantly enhanced aviation safety. Aircraft are no longer manually flown with limited navigational equipment; modern glass cockpits boast state-of-the-art technology to limit human error .

Not too long ago, at least three engines were required to cross the Atlantic due to reliability concerns and ETOPS regulations . In 1980, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) director J. Lynn Helms was quoted as telling Boeing's Engineering Director Dick Taylor that "it'll be a cold day in hell before I let twins fly long-haul, overwater routes," but just eight years later, ETOPS for was doubled from 90 minutes to 180, signaling a significant shift in the industry. Recent advancements in engine technology have seen the introduction of up to ETOPS-370 for Airbus' A350XWB, with many other twin-engine widebodies holding ETOPS-330 capabilities.

On the ground, flight crew, air traffic controllers, and dispatchers all work together to ensure a safe flight, and any changes to the plan are scrutinized by all parties to avoid mistakes.

When you're in the air, you can be confident you're flying with highly trained, certified individuals. In the US, pilots are required to have a minimum of 1,500 flying hours before they can work on a commercial airliner, the equivalent of nine straight weeks in the skies. Cabin crew is also vital to aircraft safety, with large portions of current training programs now related to keeping passengers safe onboard and minimizing risk during incidents .

Read More: 5 Major Air Disasters That Were Easily Preventable

The role of regulation and industry pressure

However, many of these advancements can be attributed to improvements in regulation. Everyone from aircraft manufacturer board members to part-time airline ground employees must adhere to strict governmental oversight. These regulations range from something as simple as minimizing work hours to reduce fatigue to ensuring aircraft parts are made from high-quality, approved materials.

Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here

The strict requirements for maintenance, reporting, training, and operations can extend further than the country in which it's implemented. Flight and airline bans, such as the European Union's Air Safety List, have prompted governments to shape up their act to ensure continued international operations and encourage tourism.

A notable recent graduate of the Air Safety list is Indonesia. Following two fatal crashes in early 2007 and a historically poor aviation safety record, all Indonesian airlines were banned from EU airspace. Gradual advancements by individual airlines saw some carriers slowly removed from the list before the ban was lifted entirely in 2018 amid consultation with the FAA and ICAO.

In a statement by the Government of Indonesia, EU Ambassador Yuri O. Tharmin noted the country's significant investment in improving its aviation industry and complying with global regulations. Tharmin added,

“The lifting of the flight ban for all Indonesian airlines is a form of EU ’ s recognition to the Indonesian Government in improving air safety in the country.”

What are your thoughts on the recent advancements in aviation safety? Let us know in the comments.

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Coronavirus FAQ: How do I avoid catching COVID while flying in 2023?

It's COVID testing time at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, South Korea. Arrivals from China must now submit to a PCR test. Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/Sipa USA hide caption

It's COVID testing time at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, South Korea. Arrivals from China must now submit to a PCR test.

We regularly answer frequently asked questions about life during the coronavirus crisis. If you have a question you'd like us to consider for a future post, email us at [email protected] with the subject line: "Weekly Coronavirus Questions." See an archive of our FAQs here .

COVID is surging in China, a new variant is reportedly the most contagious yet, testing is back in some airports. How do I avoid the virus while flying?

It's been nearly three years since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, but if you head to some airports right now you might think you've returned to the early days of the outreak.

A surge of cases in China has prompted the U.S. to require a negative COVID test for travelers flying in from the Peoples' Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macau. That went into effect on Jan. 5. The European Union recommends the same measures for its member states.

China's COVID vaccines: Do the jabs do the job?

(Meanwhile, some countries never dropped their testing requirements. Venezuela and Seychelles, for example, still require proof of a negative COVID test to board a flight to those countries.)

And in the U.S. a growing number of airports are swabbing noses — of international passengers only. It's for a voluntary program from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to detect new variants in travelers arriving from outside the U.S. Some 7 airports are doing the testing, including LAX and Seattle-Tacoma.

In addition to the China situation, concerns about COVID are rising because of the growing dominance of the omicron variant XBB.1.5, which the World Health Organization calls "the most transmissible variant it has yet detected" – although vaccinations and boosters appear to be holding up when it comes to protection against severe and possibly fatal disease.

"Whether more countries return to mandatory testing because of XBB.1.5 or other variants that emerge is unknown, but also unnecessary since the world is currently swimming in COVID," says Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar in residence at the Center for Health Security at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Adalja says testing is a political rather than public health decision to allay the fear of citizens. Other public health experts have noted that testing didn't prevent variants from moving around the globe – although it often delayed their arrival.

Meanwhile, an individual passenger has personal concerns: It'd be great not to catch COVID during a trip. To reduce your odds of infection, you can turn to the familiar precautions from early in the pandemic – you know, the ones that many people no longer follow.

Boost yourself

Many older adults have not gotten the latest booster, which protects both against the original virus and Omicron variants, says Dr. Preeti Malani , a professor in the department of infectious diseases at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. She calls the shot "an absolute must prior to travel."

Ahead of your flight

Since airline rules regarding precautions could change, when you book you can improve the chance of getting updates by checking the box that allows text messaging to your phone. Downloading the airline's mobile phone app will let you easily search for boarding requirements for your specific flight. Having trouble reaching customer service by phone to ask about flight rules? Direct message the airline over Twitter or use the online chat options many airlines offer.

At the airport

"My advice around international travel is to wear masks if you are in a crowded indoor space — not just on the airplanes but boarding, security lines and anywhere else that it's crowded," says Dr. Malani. "You can take a break from masks to eat/drink while waiting to board but try to find a spot that's away from the crowd."

You'll definitely want to bring your own masks. Any masks available for folks at airports or on board are likely to be paper masks; the CDC recommends "high quality masks or respirators" during travel." Respirators are masks labeled as N95s or KN95s, which provide a tighter fit and better filtration. Respirators are sold online and in stores like pharmacies. Freebies are handed out at some community health centers and public libraries.

And remember distancing? It's still a good idea during boarding and deplaning, "especially now with the highly contagious XBB COVID variant," says Leonard Marcus , co-director of the Preparedness Initiative at Harvard University.

Don't forget your hands

Research has found that bathroom door handles and seat trays and other objects are not a significant route of transmission for the virus, but it's not impossible. You can gain a bit of an edge by using hand sanitizer or an alcohol wipe. Since airlines aren't always handing out wipes these days and in-flight bottles could be depleted, the experts we spoke to advise bringing your own. "These are good public health measures so people who have concerns or heightened vulnerabilities might consider these extra steps," says Marcus. And it's not just to ward off COVID. The flu, respiratory syncytial virus and colds can also spread via droplets.

If you do bring hand sanitizer in your carry-on luggage, limit the bottle to 3.to-4 ounces so your supply doesn't have to be screened by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). If you're thinking of reaching into your cupboard for a vial you you purchased at the start of the pandemic, check the date to be sure it hasn't expired.

Create a protective zone for your airplane seat

A window seat reduces exposure to people who are standing in the aisles "and breathing down" on you, says Marcus. He's one of the authors of a 2021 study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health on COVID 19 and air travel, which that found that the triple combination of masking, air cabin conditions and distancing during boarding and deplaning combine to lower your risk of contracting COVID on a flight.

He also suggests turning on the air vents: "The ventilation pushes clean air from above to the floor. The more of that the better." (Bring a sweater, though, since opening those vents can make your space colder.)

Make a plan just in case

"I would suggest having a plan for what to do if you become ill," says Dr. Malani — including where you would go to get medical care. U.S. embassies and consulates in many foreign countries have lists of doctors and hospitals that treat foreigners.

Malani also advises packing supplies -- including COVID tests and over-the-counter medications to treat symptoms like a runny nose and sore throat and fever if you get COVID-19 or other illnesses.

If your doctor has said you would be a candidate for Paxlovid if you contract COVID-19, ask for advice with regard to the drug before taking a trip.

Coronavirus FAQ: Is Paxlovid the best treatment? Is it underused in the U.S.?

Another recommendation from the experts: Trip insurance and travel medical insurance to help transport you back home (if severely ill in an international setting) is another consideration.

Fran Kritz is a health policy reporter based in Washington, D.C., and a regular contributor to NPR. She also reports for the Washington Post and Verywell Health. Find her on Twitter: @fkritz

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US issues level 3 travel advisory to China amid safety concerns. Here's what to know

Are you thinking about traveling to China to visit or study abroad? The U.S. government suggests reconsidering your trip for now. 

According to the U.S. Department of State , traveling to China is under a level 3 travel advisory , warning Americans to reconsider. The State Department has four warning levels. The fourth is “Do not travel.”

Is it safe to travel to China right now?

The U.S. is asking Americans to reconsider traveling to China due to various reasons, including concerns about health and safety, such as the prevalence of contagious diseases like COVID-19, as well as political tensions or security risks in certain regions.

As of April 12, there are some specific areas that the U.S. is asking people to reconsider travel to. Those areas include:

• Mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including exit bans and the risk of wrongful detentions.
• Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong SAR due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
• Reconsider travel to the Macau SAR due to a limited ability to provide emergency consular services. 

Additionally, the U.S. government may issue travel advisories based on factors like civil unrest, natural disasters, or other hazards that could affect travelers' well-being.

Americans detained in China

Mark Swidan — a man from Houston, Texas — has been detained in China for over 10 years on drug charges. According to The Texas Tribune , Swidan was detained in China in 2012 while on a trip looking for materials for his home and business in Houston. Chinese authorities arrested him after his driver and translator were found in possession of drugs. The driver blamed Swidan, who is accused of trafficking and manufacturing methamphetamine.

A review of Swidan’s case said there were no drugs on him or in his hotel. Last year, the Republic of China’s Jiangmen Intermediate Court denied Swidan’s appeal and upheld his death penalty with a two-year suspended death sentence.

Other Americans considered wrongfully detained include Chinese American businessman Kai Li from Long Island, N.Y., and California pastor David Lin.

What countries have a Level 3 travel warning?

• Trinidad & Tobago
• El Salvador
• South Sudan
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Papua New Guinea
• Saudi Arabia

What countries have a Level 4 travel warning?

• Afghanistan
• Central African Republic
• North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)
• Burkina Faso

Traveling abroad? Here are some safety tips

U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the State Department’s free  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  and to prepare contingency plans for emergencies. 

Safety tips if you're traveling outside the U.S.:

• Don't travel alone.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep a low profile.
• Try not to be flashy.
• Avoid going to places at night, especially by yourself.

Emergency exit slide falls off Delta flight. What the airline says happened after takeoff in NYC

NEW YORK - An emergency exit slide "separated" from a Delta Airlines flight, prompting an emergency return to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport Friday morning. 

Flight 520 to Los Angeles took off from JFK this morning. It returned safely at around 8:35 a.m. "after the crew reported a vibration," according to the FAA.

The crew noticed an indicator light related to the right wing emergency exit, and heard a sound coming from near the right wing, Delta said. 

They declared an emergency and headed back, landing safely. The interaction between the pilot and an air traffic controller was captured by LiveATC.net .

"Delta 520 are you requiring assistance?" an air traffic controller said. 

"Delta 520, negative. Thanks for the assistance in bringing us back in," the pilot said. 

"520 turn right on Bravo for the hotel and let ground know where you're going," the controller said. 

"As nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, Delta flight crews enacted their extensive training and followed procedures to return to JFK. We appreciate their professionalism and our customers' patience for the delay in their travels," Delta said in a statement. "After the aircraft had safely landed and proceeded to a gate, it was observed that the emergency slide had separated from the aircraft. Delta is fully supporting retrieval efforts and will fully cooperate in investigations."

The plane is now out of service and is being evaluated.   

There were 176 passengers and seven crew on the  Boeing 767 . The passengers were able to continue their journey on another jet.    

It's just the latest in a recent series of concerning incidents involving planes. In January, a Boeing jet had a door plug fly off in midair , sparking investigations. Earlier this month, a plane engine covering fell off in Denver during takeoff, and a recent close call at John F. Kennedy nearly involved multiple planes .

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I’m a U.S. Citizen. Where in the World Can I Go?

For Americans eager to resume international travel, here are the countries that currently allow U.S. citizens to enter, though there may be restrictions, including vaccine requirements.

By Paige McClanahan

This list is no longer being updated. Find the latest coronavirus updates here .

Most of the world’s countries are open to travelers from the United States, and many nations are easing their requirements for visitors to test or quarantine. Some countries that had fully closed to foreign tourists — including Israel, Morocco, Bhutan, Australia and New Zealand — have now reopened to U.S. visitors, although they may continue to impose testing, vaccination or quarantine requirements.

In Europe, a growing number of nations — including Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, among many others — have eliminated their Covid-related travel restrictions for the summer travel season. Meanwhile, several Southeast Asian nations that had closed their borders to tourists have now reopened. Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Cambodia are once again welcoming American visitors, although vaccine or testing requirements are in force in most cases.

For its part, the United States has lifted the requirement that inbound passengers, including returning Americans, provide a negative test result taken within one day of departure. The decision to lift the test requirement will be re-evaluated in September; the rule could be reinstated if authorities deem it necessary.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, continues advising Americans not to travel internationally until they are fully inoculated against Covid-19.

Those wanting to learn about the coronavirus risk in a specific country can visit the C.D.C. website where a four-tier ranking system provides guidance. The agency reserves the highest “Level 4” ranking for countries with “special circumstances” that include spiking case numbers, the emergence of worrying variants, or threats to the viability of health care infrastructure. (Levels 1 to 3 are still based primarily on Covid-19 case counts.) At the moment, no countries are classified at Level 4; those at Level 3, which have a “high” incidence of Covid-19, are indicated in the list below. For information on entry requirements like testing and quarantine, as well as curfews and movement restrictions, the State Department’s website offers detailed information by country.

What follows is a list of countries that are open to tourists from the United States. Many require visitors to complete a health form, provide proof of vaccination, and present a recent negative Covid-19 test result. To qualify as fully vaccinated in places such as France, Spain and the Netherlands, a visitor must have received either a booster shot or a second dose within a specified period.

As of May 1, visitors are no longer required to provide a negative test result or proof of vaccination. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Travel to Andorra is over land from Spain or France, so check the entry requirements for those countries first. There are no limits on movement between Spain and Andorra, nor for travelers entering Andorra from France. Travelers 12 and over departing Andorra for France must provide proof of full vaccination, a certificate of recent recovery, or a negative antigen test result from the previous 24 hours. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors must complete a registration form before travel. They must also present a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. test administered no more than 72 hours before departure and pay about $20 on arrival to undergo a rapid antigen test at the airport. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Angola.

All adult visitors must be vaccinated. Arriving passengers must also carry a negative result from a Covid-19 test. The result may be either from a rapid test taken within two days of arrival, or from an R.T.-P.C.R. test, N.A.A.T. test, or other molecular test administered within three days of arrival. Visitors who completed their primary course of vaccination more than six months previously and who have not received a booster are also required to test on arrival, at their own expense. Guests staying for more than eight days may undergo a free test on day 4 of their visit. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

ANTIGUA and BARBUDA

Vaccinated travelers are no longer required to test before travel, provided they are asymptomatic. Unvaccinated visitors must present either a negative result from a P.C.R. test conducted no more than three days before arrival, or a negative result from an antigen test from the previous 24 hours; they must also be without symptoms. On arrival, they must submit to an R.T.-P.C.R. test at their own expense and self-quarantine for 14 days. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Americans may now enter Argentina without testing. Visitors must complete an electronic sworn statement within 48 hours of traveling and provide proof of medical insurance that covers Covid-19 treatment and quarantine. The government recommends that all visitors age 6 and over undergo a Covid-19 test within 24 hours of arrival, regardless of their vaccination status. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

The country has lifted its pandemic-related travel restrictions.

The country is open to visitors from the United States who have finished a primary course of vaccination (two doses of an mRNA vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson). All passengers arriving by air must submit the Digital Passenger Declaration within 72 hours of their departure for Australia; they are no longer required to test before travel. Depending on their final destination within Australia, visitors may have to quarantine on arrival, even if they are vaccinated. Travelers should check the rules of the state or territory they are visiting to find the relevant quarantine requirements. Prospective visitors who are not fully vaccinated must qualify for an exemption . The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

The country lifted all pandemic-related travel restrictions on May 16. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors age 18 and over must present proof of vaccination or a certificate of recovery from Covid-19 infection.

THE BAHAMAS

All travelers age 18 and older must apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa; the cost of the visa includes insurance coverage and varies with the length of stay and vaccination status of the traveler. Health visa applications can take up to 24 hours to process; travelers must present their visa confirmation before departure to the Bahamas. Travelers with valid proof of vaccination may now enter without a negative test result. Unvaccinated travelers age 2 and over must present a negative result from a rapid antigen or R.T.-P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of travel. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

According to the U.S. Embassy, visitors must download the “ BeAware Bahrain ” app before travel. Arriving passengers are no longer required to test or show proof of vaccination. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors must complete a health declaration form within three days of arrival. Vaccinated travelers may enter without a pretest. (A booster is not required to qualify.) Unvaccinated travelers age 12 and older must provide a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of departure. Symptomatic passengers may be subject to testing on arrival.

Vaccinated travelers may now enter without testing. Before departure, visitors should download the BIMSafe app and complete an online immigration and customs form . Vaccinated visitors may enter without quarantine, although they may be randomly selected for testing on arrival. Unvaccinated travelers age 5 and above must obtain a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. test taken within three days of arrival, or from a rapid test taken within one day of entry; they must also undergo a rapid test on arrival. Children under 18 who aren’t vaccinated must follow the guidelines of their accompanying adult. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

U.S. visitors may now enter without testing or proof of vaccination. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Travelers with proof of vaccination may enter without a negative test result. Unvaccinated visitors age 5 and over must show a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of arrival, or from a rapid test taken within 48 hours of arrival. Alternatively, testing is available on arrival at the airport for $50; only cash payments are accepted. All foreign tourists must show proof of having purchased Belize travel insurance ($18 for 21 days). The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

All visitors to Benin must apply online for an eVisa before departure. Predeparture testing is no longer required.

Arriving passengers must show proof of vaccination (booster shots are not required) as well as a negative result from a rapid antigen test taken no more than two days before arrival, or a negative result from a P.C.R., N.A.A.T, T.M.A., or L.A.M.P. test taken within four days of arrival. Children under 2 are exempt from the pretest requirement, while children under 12 are exempt from the vaccination requirement. Visitors must pay $40 to apply for a travel authorization , which they can do up to one month before departure. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Vaccinated travelers must quarantine for five days after arrival; unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for ten days. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Bhutan.

Arriving passengers must present either proof of vaccination or a valid negative result from a Covid-19 test. The test result may be from an R.T.-P.C.R. test taken no more than 72 hours before boarding, or from a rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding. Children under 5 are exempt from the requirements.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The country lifted its pandemic-related travel restrictions on May 26; travelers may now enter without a negative test result or proof of vaccination.

Visitors must have completed at least a primary course of vaccination; they are not required to test. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

U.S. tourists age 12 and older must present proof of vaccination, even if they have recovered from Covid-19; they no longer need to test before travel. Unvaccinated children under 12 who are traveling with vaccinated adults may also enter without testing. Unvaccinated adults must qualify for an exemption to be allowed entry. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Regardless of their vaccination status, all visitors over age 5 must present a negative result from a Covid-19 test (either rapid antigen or R.T.-P.C.R.) taken within 48 hours of arrival. Travelers who have recovered from Covid-19 in the previous 90 days may present proof of recovery in lieu of a negative test result. Anyone arriving without a valid test result or proof of recovery must pay $50 to undergo testing on arrival. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

As of May 1, Bulgaria has removed all pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

BURKINA FASO

Arriving passengers must present proof of full vaccination or a negative result from a P.C.R. or rapid test taken in the previous five days. Travelers who arrive without proof of vaccination or a valid negative test result will be required to pay roughly $45 to undergo a rapid antigen test on arrival. To exit the country by air, travelers must present either proof of vaccination or a negative P.C.R. test dated within three days of their departing flight. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Burkina Faso.

Arriving passengers must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test administered no more than 72 hours before boarding their flight to Burundi. According to the U.S. Embassy, travelers must also pay $100 for an on-arrival test and self-isolate at an accommodation of their choice until they receive a negative result, usually within 24 hours. A negative P.C.R. result is also required to exit the country. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Burundi.

Arriving passengers must present either proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result. The result may be from a P.C.R. test taken no more than 72 hours before departure, or from a rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before departure. Visitors must also register , pay an airport fee, and complete a health questionnaire before travel. Arriving passengers are subject to a temperature check. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors may now enter without testing. Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to quarantine. Those who are unvaccinated must quarantine for seven days at a designated facility at their own expense; they must also undergo a rapid test on the final day before being released. The government encourages all travelers to purchase Covid-19 travel health insurance. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Cambodia.

Visitors from the United States who hold a valid tourist visa may enter Cameroon. Passengers age 5 and above must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test administered no more than 72 hours before arrival; the result must include a QR code.

Vaccinated U.S. citizens and residents may enter Canada for nonessential reasons, including tourism, without providing a negative test result. (A booster is not required to qualify.) All travelers must use the ArriveCAN system to enter their proof of vaccination and other traveler information within 72 hours of entry into Canada. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children under 12 are no longer required to test before travel if they are accompanied by a vaccinated adult. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated minors ages 12 to 17 are subject to testing requirements and a 14-day quarantine. Unvaccinated adults must qualify for an exemption; if approved for entry, they are also subject to testing and quarantine requirements. The current rules are expected to remain in force until at least September 30 . The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

CAYMAN ISLANDS

As of June 30, vaccinated travelers may enter without testing. Unvaccinated visitors age 12 and over will not be allowed entry unless they can prove that they have a close tie to the country. Visitors are encouraged to test themselves daily during their first week in the country. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

A negative P.C.R. test from the previous 72 hours is required for both entry and departure. According to the U.S. Embassy, tourists from the United States must quarantine for 14 days after arrival; employees of international and humanitarian organizations may end their quarantine early if they receive a negative result from a post-arrival P.C.R. test at the local Pasteur Institute. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Travelers with proof of vaccination may enter without a pretest. Unvaccinated travelers 12 and older must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 96 hours of arrival.

Arriving passengers must complete a traveler’s affidavit within 48 hours of boarding and provide proof of travel medical insurance that covers a minimum of $30,000 worth of Covid-19 medical expenses in Chile; they may now enter without testing. Visitors are no longer required to obtain a mobility pass (which requires proof of vaccination) to enter the country, but they may be required to present the pass to enter restaurants, participate in group tours, and attend concerts and sports events. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Arriving passengers age 18 and older must present either proof of vaccination or a valid negative result from a Covid-19 test. The result may be from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of travel or from an antigen test taken in the 48 hours before travel. Incoming passengers must also complete an online form within 72 hours of boarding their flight.

Visitors may enter with a negative result from a P.C.R. test conducted in the 72 hours before travel. A negative P.C.R. result that is no more than 72 hours old is also required to leave the country. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Comoros.

The country has lifted its pandemic-related entry requirements. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

COTE D’IVOIRE

Fully vaccinated travelers may now enter without a negative test result. (A booster is required to qualify if the primary course of vaccination was completed more than nine months previously.) Unvaccinated travelers must carry a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Abidjan. All passengers will have their temperatures checked and must undergo rapid antigen testing on arrival. Departing passengers who are unvaccinated must present a negative P.C.R. test from no more than 72 hours before travel, regardless of the testing requirements of their destination. Land and maritime borders remain closed to U.S. citizens.

Croatia has removed its Covid-related border rules; U.S. visitors may now enter as before the pandemic. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

General tourism is not permitted, but Americans are allowed to visit to see family and under certain professional and humanitarian circumstances. All incoming passengers must complete an online sworn statement before they depart for Cuba. Visitors are no longer required to present proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result. Health authorities will randomly select passengers for Covid-19 screening on arrival.

As of June 1, visitors are no longer required to present proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

CZECH REPUBLIC

The country has removed all pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Before traveling, visitors should register at INRBCOVID.com . All travelers age 11 and older must present a negative result from a Covid-19 test taken within three days of departure. Unvaccinated travelers must undergo another test on arrival at their own expense and self-quarantine until they receive a negative result, generally within 24 hours. Visitors should also have proof of health and medical evacuation insurance and a certificate of yellow fever vaccination. To exit the country, travelers age 11 and over must present a negative result from a Covid-19 test taken at a government-approved lab within three days of departure. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to the D.R.C.

Denmark has lifted all pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Potential visitors must apply online for an eVisa before travel. All arriving passengers 11 and older must provide proof of vaccination as well as a negative result from a Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight, and not more than 120 hours before their arrival in the country. Upon landing, travelers are given another test at a cost of $30. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Djibouti.

As of April 4, arriving passengers are no longer required to complete a health questionnaire before entry. Vaccinated travelers may enter without a pretest, though they may be tested on arrival if they display symptoms. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of arrival or from an antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival. Children aged 12 and under assume the status of their accompanying parent or guardian. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Visitors may now enter without testing or providing proof of vaccination. Passengers age 7 and over may be selected for random testing on arrival; those who can present a valid vaccination certificate will be exempt from the random test. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Aruba allows visitors to enter without a negative test result or proof of vaccination. Arriving passengers are required to purchase Aruba Visitors Insurance and to complete an Embarkation/Disembarkation card before arrival. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Bonaire has lifted its pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Curaçao has lifted its pandemic-related travel restrictions. However, visitors must complete a digital immigration card before travel. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Saba has removed its pandemic-related travel restrictions.

Sint Eustatius has removed its pandemic-related travel restrictions.

Sint Maarten , which is Dutch, and French St. Martin are primarily entered through Princess Juliana Airport on the Dutch side. Visitors must register online at least 12 hours before travel. Vaccinated travelers, those who have proof of recovery from Covid-19 in the previous nine months, and children under 5 are not required to test before entry. Unvaccinated travelers 5 and over must present a negative P.C.R. result from the previous 48 hours or a negative antigen result from the previous 24 hours. Before travel, all visitors must submit a health authorization form , the completion of which includes the purchase of mandatory Covid-19 insurance. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

The country no longer requires a negative test result for entry; however, the U.S. Embassy notes that airlines may impose their own requirements. Passengers who display symptoms on arrival may be subject to testing. The Embassy advises potential visitors to confirm the latest entry rules with the Timorese Embassy in Washington before travel.

All arriving passengers age 3 and over must provide either proof of vaccination or a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. test taken no more than 72 hours before boarding their flight to Ecuador. They must also complete a declaration of traveler health . Visitors may be subject to random antigen testing on arrival. Those traveling to the Galápagos must provide proof of vaccination or a negative R.T.-P.C.R. test result from the previous 72 hours; they must also obtain a transit control card from the government of Ecuador. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

EL SALVADOR

Visitors may now enter without testing or proof of vaccination.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

All arriving passengers must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 48 hours of travel; travelers age 18 and over must also present proof of vaccination. Visitors must quarantine for three days after arrival at an accommodation of their choosing and obtain a negative test result before being released. A negative P.C.R. test result is also required to exit the country.

Visitors must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of entry and submit to an antigen test on arrival. Unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for five days, then obtain a negative test result before exiting quarantine. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Eritrea.

Arriving passengers must complete an online form in the 72 hours before entering the country. Visitors from the United States who are vaccinated or who have recovered from Covid-19 in the previous 180 days may enter without testing. (Travelers who have received two doses of vaccine are considered fully vaccinated for nine months after completing their primary course of vaccination; a booster dose extends the period of validity for one year.) Unvaccinated and unrecovered visitors may enter with a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. or antigen test taken in the 48 hours before arrival. Children under 12 are exempt from the requirements. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Vaccinated visitors and those who have a certificate of Covid-19 recovery from the previous 90 days are no longer required to test before travel. (A booster is not required to qualify.) Unvaccinated visitors over age 12 must carry a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of departure, or a negative result from an antigen test taken within 24 hours of arrival.

All visitors must provide proof of vaccination, proof of travel insurance, and confirmation that they have pre-booked a rapid test to be taken after arrival. (Children under 12 are exempt from the in-country test requirement; children under 16 are exempt from the vaccination requirement.)

The country lifted its pandemic-related travel restrictions on June 30. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Fully vaccinated visitors no longer need to test before arrival. (To qualify as fully vaccinated, arriving passengers must have received their second dose of vaccine within the past nine months; those who have also received a booster dose are not subject to a time limit.) Unvaccinated travelers from the U.S. must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of departure or a negative result from an antigen test from the previous 48 hours. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

FRENCH POLYNESIA

The country is open to fully vaccinated tourists from the United States. Those who have received only two doses of vaccine qualify as “fully vaccinated” for nine months following the date of their second dose; those who have also received a booster face no time limit. Arriving passengers aged 12 or older who are flying to French Polynesia directly from the United States are required to present a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. taken within 72 hours of boarding or a negative result from an antigen test administered within 48 hours of boarding. Those who are unvaccinated must provide a compelling reason for their visit to French Polynesia. If permitted entry, unvaccinated travelers must test before travel and quarantine for seven days after arrival. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to French Polynesia.

FRENCH WEST INDIES

(Most islands consider two weeks after the second injection as full vaccination, and four weeks for Johnson & Johnson.)

St. Barts is open to fully vaccinated travelers without a test requirement. Unvaccinated visitors must present a negative result either from a P.C.R. test conducted no more than 72 hours before departure, or from an antigen test from the previous 48 hours. All visitors must present a sworn statement that they have no symptoms and that they are not aware of Covid-19 exposure in the previous 14 days. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

St. Martin : See Sint Maarten under Dutch Caribbean.

Guadeloupe and Martinique are open to vaccinated travelers, but those 12 and older who are coming from the United States need a negative result from a P.C.R. or antigen test taken in the 24 hours before departure. They may also be subject to testing on arrival. Unvaccinated visitors must show proof of a compelling reason to travel. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

The country has lifted its pandemic-related restrictions. Visitors may now enter without a negative test result.

Fully vaccinated travelers do not need a pretest, but they may be subject to rapid testing on arrival if they display symptoms. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test administered no more than 72 hours before departure.

The country has lifted its pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

The country has suspended its pandemic-related travel restrictions until the end of August. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Non-citizen and non-resident visitors who are 18 or older must show proof of vaccination in order to qualify for an entry visa (a booster is not required). Arriving passengers no longer need to provide a negative test result. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Ghana.

As of May 1, visitors may enter without providing proof of vaccination or recovery or a negative Covid-19 test result. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

The country has removed its pandemic-related travel requirements. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Greenland.

Travelers must present either proof of vaccination (a booster is not required) or a negative result from a P.C.R. or antigen test conducted no more than three days before check-in at the airport or arrival at a land border. Children under 10 are exempt.

The government of Guinea no longer requires pre-departure testing, but the U.S. Embassy recommends that travelers confirm the latest rules with their airline before departure. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; if you are unvaccinated, the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Guinea.

GUINEA-BISSAU

Visitors may enter with a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken in the previous 48 hours. Travelers must also obtain a negative P.C.R. result within 72 hours of their departure from the country; tests can be obtained in the capital city of Bissau for about $45.

Arriving passengers must show proof of full vaccination and carry a negative result from a Covid-19 test administered within 72 hours of arrival. Anyone arriving with an expired test result must pay about $85 to undergo testing at the airport and quarantine until they receive a negative result. Unvaccinated travelers over the age of 12 will not be allowed entry. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors to Haiti must present a negative result from either a P.C.R. or antigen test administered no more than 72 hours before travel. Passengers who have had Covid-19 may present their positive test as well as documentation from their doctor confirming recovery.

Fully vaccinated tourists are not required to pretest, but others must have a negative result from a Covid-19 test taken in the previous 72 hours. Visitors must also complete an online pre-check form before travel.

Hungary has lifted all pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

The country lifted all Covid-related border restrictions on Feb. 25. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Passengers arriving from the United States must submit either proof of vaccination (with or without a booster) or a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of departure. Travelers should upload the relevant documentation to the Air Suvidha portal before departure. Two percent of arriving passengers are randomly selected to undergo testing on arrival. Children under 5 are exempt from testing unless they develop Covid-19 symptoms. All travelers are asked to monitor their health for 14 days after arrival and self-isolate if they develop Covid-19 symptoms.

U.S. travelers are eligible for a visa on arrival if they can show proof of vaccination (with or without a booster; children under 12 are exempt). They must also download the PeduliLindungi app before departure; submit to a temperature screening on arrival; provide proof of health insurance that covers at least $25,000 worth of medical treatment in Indonesia; pay a visa fee of approximately $35; carry a passport with a validity of at least six months; and be able to present either a return ticket or a ticket for onward travel to another country. Covid-19 testing is no longer required. The U.S. Embassy recommends that travelers consult the Indonesian Embassy in the United States for the latest entry rules.

Visitors must apply for a tourist visa , which can be done online. Arriving passengers must present proof of vaccination as well as a negative result from a P.C.R. test conducted within 72 hours of arrival.

Arriving passengers must present either proof of vaccination or a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken in the previous 72 hours. The U.S. Embassy advises that all arriving passengers should be prepared to pay in cash for on-arrival testing at the airport, although this requirement is unevenly enforced. Visitors to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region require a negative P.C.R. result from the previous 48 hours; anyone without a negative test result must test on arrival. Visitors must also pledge to self-isolate for 14 days.

Ireland has removed all pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors must provide a completed incoming passenger form and show proof of insurance covering Covid-19 treatment. Testing is no longer required. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Italy lifted its pandemic-related travel restrictions on June 1. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Jamaica has removed all pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Japan has reopened to U.S. visitors who are pre-booked on package tours. After applying for their visa, visitors must obtain a negative result from a Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure; install the MySOS app and complete the app’s questionnaire; register their information on Visit Japan Web , which will generate a required QR code; and purchase health insurance to cover Covid-19 treatment in Japan. Visitors are required to wear masks in the country. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors age 5 and over must complete an online declaration and present the resulting QR code when boarding. Testing is no longer required. According to the U.S. Embassy, non-Jordanians must present proof of health insurance.

According to Air Astana, the country’s biggest airline, passengers arriving in Kazakhstan are no longer required to present a negative test result or proof of vaccination. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Kazakhstan.

Fully vaccinated visitors may enter without a pretest. Unvaccinated travelers age 5 and above must present a negative P.C.R. result from up to 72 hours before departure; they must also pay $30 to undergo rapid testing on arrival. Visitors should upload their proof of vaccination or negative test result to the Global Haven platform before departure. They must also complete a health surveillance form and present the resulting QR code when traveling.

The country has removed its pandemic-related entry requirements.

The country has lifted its pandemic-related travel requirements. U.S. visitors must apply online for an eVisa before departure. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

The country has lifted its pandemic-related travel requirements. However, the U.S. Embassy notes that the rules may change with little or no advance notice and that airline requirements may differ from those of the government.

Visitors with proof of vaccination may enter without restriction; C.D.C. cards are accepted. Unvaccinated travelers age 12 and over must obtain a negative result from a Covid-19 test within 48 hours of their departure for Laos; rapid tests are accepted. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

As of April 1, visitors may enter without proof of vaccination or a negative test result, provided that their point of departure is not on Latvia’s list of “high-risk countries” (at the moment, no countries are on this list). The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Fully vaccinated travelers may enter without a negative test result. (Visitors who completed their primary course of vaccination more than six months previously must have also received a booster dose to qualify as vaccinated.) Unvaccinated travelers age 12 and over must present a negative result from a P.C.R. or antigen test taken with 48 hours of departure. They must also undergo a P.C.R. test on arrival and avoid public places until they receive a negative result, usually within 24 hours.

Travelers must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken in the 72 hours before departure. All passengers are screened on arrival; those presenting Covid-19 symptoms may be denied entry. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Travelers age 18 and over must show proof of vaccination and complete a health screening form via the Lib Travel app . In addition, all travelers age 5 and over must present a negative result from a P.C.R. or rapid antigen test taken in the 72 hours before departure.

U.S. citizens may enter with a negative result from a P.C.R. test administered no more than 48 hours before travel. According to the U.S. Embassy, visitors from the United States may be required to quarantine; it recommends that travelers confirm the latest rules with the Libyan Embassy in Washington, D.C. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Libya.

LIECHTENSTEIN

See Switzerland.

As of May 1, U.S. visitors are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result on entry; the requirement to complete an arrival form has also been removed. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

U.S. tourists may enter with proof of vaccination or recovery. Travelers are considered vaccinated for nine months following the completion of their primary course of vaccination; a booster extends the validity of their vaccination certificate indefinitely. Recovery certificates are valid for 180 days. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Arriving passengers must present a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. test administered no more than 72 hours before boarding. A second test is required on arrival, at a cost of $20. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Madagascar.

Arriving passengers must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of departure; children under the age of 1 are exempt. A negative result from the previous 72 hours is also required to exit Malawi, regardless of the requirements of the destination country.

Fully vaccinated travelers and children age 12 and under may enter without testing. Visitors who were vaccinated outside of Malaysia must upload their proof of vaccination via the MySejahtera app before departure. Unvaccinated adult visitors must obtain a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within two days of departure; they must also submit to a test within 24 hours of arrival and quarantine for five days. Additional travel restrictions apply for travel to the states of Sabah and Sarawak . The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Arriving passengers no longer need to present a negative test result, but they must complete a Traveler Health Declaration form within 72 hours of departure. They must also carry proof of a booking at a registered tourist accommodation. No quarantine is required for travelers who do not exhibit symptoms. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to the Maldives.

Arriving passengers must present either proof of vaccination or a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken in the previous 72 hours. The same rule applies to those departing the country.

Arriving passengers must present one of the following: proof of vaccination, a certificate of recovery, or a valid negative test result. U.S. travelers should verify their C.D.C. vaccination cards through the VeriFLY app . To qualify as fully vaccinated , travelers aged 18 and over who have undergone only a primary course of vaccination must have received the final dose in the previous 270 days; those who have also received a booster dose are considered vaccinated indefinitely. (Minors are considered vaccinated indefinitely following a primary course of vaccination.) Recovery certificates are valid for 180 days. Negative test results are valid for 24 hours (if from an antigen test) or 72 hours (if from a P.C.R. test). Children under 12 are exempt from the requirements. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors must present proof of vaccination or a negative result from a P.C.R. test conducted within three days of entry. Passengers are subject to a temperature check on arrival. The U.S. Embassy notes that some visitors have reported that their airlines have demanded a negative test result in addition to their proof of vaccination.

Visitors must complete a travel form . Vaccinated travelers do not need to test before departure but must undergo testing on arrival. In addition to the travel form and on-arrival test, unvaccinated travelers age 18 and over must also self-isolate for seven days after arrival in an accommodation of their choice. They must test on day 7 and, if the result is negative, are free to move around the island on day 8. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

U.S. travelers may enter Mexico without testing or quarantine, though they may be subject to health screenings on arrival. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Moldova has lifted all Covid-related entry requirements.

The United States is on the list of “green zone” countries, which means that travelers 16 and over may enter Monaco by presenting one of the following: proof of full vaccination against Covid-19; proof of recovery in the past six months; or a negative result from a P.C.R. or antigen test conducted within the previous 24 hours. To qualify as fully vaccinated, everyone 18 or over must have received a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine no later than nine months following the completion of their first course of vaccination. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

The country has removed its Covid-related entry requirements. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Arriving passengers are no longer required to present proof of vaccination or a negative test result. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Arriving passengers must present a completed health form . They must also provide either proof of vaccination or a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken in the 72 hours before travel. Children under 12 are exempt from the requirements.

Vaccinated visitors as well as children age 11 and younger may now enter without testing. Unvaccinated travelers over the age of 11 must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test administered within 72 hours of their departure for Mozambique; alternatively, they may choose to pay to undergo a rapid test on arrival. The U.S. Embassy encourages U.S. travelers to obtain their visa before departure via the Mozambican Embassy in Washington, D.C. or the Mozambican consulate in New York.

Visitors must carry a valid tourist visa. They must also present either proof of vaccination or a negative result from a P.C.R. test within 72 hours of departure. (Children under 6 are exempt.) In addition, they must carry Covid-19 insurance, complete a health declaration, and pay to undergo rapid testing on arrival.

Passengers who present proof of vaccination may enter without testing. Unvaccinated visitors age 5 and over must provide a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of travel. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors age 5 and over arriving by air must present either proof of vaccination or a negative result from a Covid-19 test (R.T.-P.C.R., N.A.A.T., or Gene Xpert) taken within 72 hours of departure. Travelers who display symptoms may be subject to testing on arrival.

NETHERLANDS

Vaccinated visitors from the United States may now enter without a negative test result. (A booster dose is required if more than 270 days have passed since the traveler completed his or her primary course of vaccination.) Unvaccinated travelers 18 and over are not allowed entry unless they qualify for an exemption . The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

NEW CALEDONIA

U.S. tourists age 12 and over must present one of the following: proof of vaccination, a certificate of recovery from the previous six months; a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of boarding; or a negative result from a rapid antigen test taken in the previous 48 hours. At the time of boarding, they must also present a sworn statement in which they commit to undergo testing within two days of arrival. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to New Caledonia. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is now open to vaccinated visitors from the United States and other “visa waiver” countries. Arriving passengers must complete an online declaration ; provide a negative test result before departure; and self-test on arrival and on day 5 or 6 in the country. Children under 2 are exempt from the pre-departure test requirement; babies under 6 months are exempt from the post-arrival test requirement. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Travelers who can provide proof of vaccination may now enter without testing. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of entry. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Nicaragua.

Travelers must obtain a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken no more than 72 hours before departure and register the result online. A negative test result from the previous 72 hours is also required to exit the country.

Arriving passengers must register online before travel. Fully vaccinated travelers may now enter without testing (a booster is not required to qualify). Unvaccinated travelers must upload a negative result from a P.C.R. test administered within 48 hours of departure; they must also pre-pay for tests on days 2 and 7 and isolate after arrival until they receive a negative result from the second test. Children under 18 are exempt from the requirements. Travelers leaving Nigeria must present either proof of vaccination or a negative result from a P.C.R. test conducted within 48 hours of departure.

NORTH MACEDONIA

Visitors are no longer required to provide a negative test result or proof of vaccination. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Norway has lifted all pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Vaccinated travelers may enter without a pretest. Unvaccinated travelers over the age of 12 must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of boarding. All passengers should download the Pass Track App before travel and should be aware that they may be subject to rapid testing on arrival.

Palau is open to fully vaccinated visitors. Arriving passengers must provide a negative result from a P.C.R., N.A.A.T., R.T.-P.C.R. or other approved molecular test taken within three days of their departure. Alternatively, they may present a negative result from an antigen test taken no more than one day before departure, or documentation of recovery from Covid, including proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from a health care provider or a public health official clearing the person to travel. All travelers will also undergo testing after arrival in Palau.

Travelers are required to submit a completed health affidavit to their airline before boarding. Vaccinated travelers can enter Panama without a pretest (a booster is not required to qualify). Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative result from a P.C.R. or antigen test. If the test result is more than 72 hours old at the time of the traveler’s arrival in Panama, a rapid Covid-19 test will be performed at the airport, at a cost of $50. Accompanied children under 17 are exempt from the requirements. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

U.S. visitors must apply for a tourist visa before travel. Visitors age 18 and over must show proof of vaccination; testing is no longer required. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Foreign visitors with proof of vaccination are no longer required to test before travel. Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R., L.A.M.P., or N.A.A.T. test taken no more than 72 hours before departure; children under 12 are exempt.

Visitors must present either proof of full vaccination or a negative result from a molecular test taken within 48 hours of departure; they must also complete an affidavit of health . Children under 12 are exempt from the testing and vaccination requirements but must be without Covid-19 symptoms at the time of boarding.

PHILIPPINES

Visitors from the United States are allowed entry provided they carry the following documents: proof of vaccination; passports that are valid for at least six months beyond their date of arrival; and a ticket for outbound travel within 30 days of arrival. Visitors must also complete a health declaration card ; they are no longer required to test before entry. Unvaccinated visitors over age 12 will not be allowed entry.

Visitors may now enter without testing, quarantine or proof of vaccination.

Arriving passengers age 12 and over must present a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. or N.A.A.T. test conducted no more than 72 hours before boarding, or from a rapid test from the previous 24 hours. Travelers who carry an E.U. Digital Covid Certificate or proof of vaccination issued in one of several approved countries may enter without a negative pretest. The United States is not among the approved countries; however, some travelers have reported that their airlines have told them that their C.D.C. vaccination cards will be accepted in lieu of a negative test result. There is no official guidance on this point, so the U.S. Embassy “ strongly recommends ” that travelers carrying C.D.C. vaccination cards arrive with a valid negative test result. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors must register online before travel. Fully vaccinated and recovered travelers from the United States and other countries that do not appear on Qatar’s red list may enter with a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 48 hours of departure. In addition to the pretest, unvaccinated travelers from the United States must also quarantine for five days after arrival and undergo a P.C.R. test on arrival and a rapid test on day 5. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Those planning to travel to the Republic of Congo must complete an online form , pre-pay roughly $68 for a Covid-19 test to be administered on arrival, and print the receipt for that payment to carry with them while traveling. Anyone who tests positive on arrival must isolate until they receive a negative result. Departing travelers must present a negative result from a virus test conducted no more than 72 hours before their scheduled departure.

Romania has lifted all pandemic-related travel restrictions.

Before traveling to Rwanda, visitors must complete a passenger locator form and obtain a negative result from an antigen test conducted no more than 72 hours before their flight departure. Visitors must also pay $5 to undergo an additional rapid test on arrival. Travelers leaving Rwanda must obtain a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours of their departing flight. Children under 5 are exempt from testing. Tourists to the national parks may face additional requirements.

ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

All visitors 18 and over must be fully vaccinated, while unvaccinated minors may enter with their accompanying vaccinated adults and follow the same regulations. In addition to their proof of vaccination, arriving passengers must present either a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. or N.A.A.T. test taken within three days of arrival, or a negative result from a rapid antigen test taken within one day of arrival. Each visitor must also complete an embarkation form no later than 24 hours before departure. Travelers who have recovered from Covid-19 are not exempt from the pretest requirement. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors must complete a health screening form before departure. As of April 2, fully vaccinated travelers are no longer required to test before travel. Unvaccinated travelers 5 and over must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test conducted in the five days before arrival. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States no longer need to test before travel; they must complete a health form on landing and may be subject to testing. Unvaccinated travelers must arrive with one of the following: a negative result from a P.C.R. test conducted in the previous 72 hours, or a negative antigen result from the previous 24 hours. They may be subject to testing on arrival; they must quarantine for 5 days and undergo an additional test on day 3 or 4 of quarantine. Minors follow the protocol of their parents or guardians. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

See Italy. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE

The government has lifted all pandemic-related travel restrictions.

SAUDI ARABIA

Visitors must apply for a tourist visa before travel. According to the U.S. Embassy, they must also show proof of insurance that covers illness related to Covid-19.

Arriving passengers must present either proof of vaccination or a negative result from a P.C.R. or R.T.-P.C.R. test taken in the 72 hours before arrival. Children under 2 are exempt.

The country has removed its pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors must apply for travel authorization up to 72 hours before departure. Most applications are processed within 12 hours of submission; expedited processing is available for an additional fee. In applying for authorization, unvaccinated visitors must upload a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. test administered no more than 72 hours before departure or a negative result from a rapid antigen test from within 24 hours of departure. Vaccinated travelers do not need to provide a negative test result. (Travelers age 18 and over who completed their primary course of vaccination more than six months previously must also have received a booster dose to qualify as vaccinated.) Visitors must also submit their accommodation bookings as well as proof of travel insurance with full medical coverage valid for the duration of their stay. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

SIERRA LEONE

Visitors must register online before departure. Vaccinated travelers may enter without testing. Unvaccinated travelers do not need a pre-departure test, but they must pay in advance to undergo both a rapid test and a P.C.R. test on arrival. All passengers are subject to a health screening at the airport. To exit the country, all travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, must obtain a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken between 48 and hours before departure. Children under 5 are exempt from the test requirements.

All visitors must complete an arrival card within three days of entry and install the TraceTogether app. Vaccinated travelers as well as unvaccinated children born in or after 2010 may now enter without testing or quarantine. Unvaccinated travelers born in or before 2009 must apply for permission to enter. If approved, they must obtain a negative result from either a P.C.R. test or an antigen test administered within two days of departure. (Unvaccinated travelers who have a positive test result dated between 14 and 90 days before their departure for Singapore may be exempt from the pre-departure test.) Unvaccinated travelers must also quarantine for seven days after arrival. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Slovakia has eliminated all pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors arriving from the United States are no longer required to test or show proof of vaccination. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors must present a negative result from a Covid-19 test conducted within 72 hours of arrival and submit to a health screening on entry. Travelers to Somaliland may avoid a 14-day quarantine by presenting a negative result from a Covid-19 test taken in the previous 96 hours. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

SOUTH AFRICA

South korea.

Visitors should register their information on the Q-Code website before departure. Arriving passengers must present proof of full vaccination (including a booster shot if more than 180 days have passed since the completion of the traveler’s first vaccine series). Travelers must also complete a health questionnaire and travel record declaration. In addition, visitors must provide a negative result from a supervised rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure, or a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken in the previous 48 hours. In addition, all travelers must undergo a P.C.R. test within three days of entry. Travelers who display symptoms on arrival may be subject to testing at the airport. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

SOUTH SUDAN

Both inbound and outbound passengers must present proof of vaccination and a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken in the previous 72 hours. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

U.S. visitors may enter Spain with one of the following: proof of vaccination; a certificate of recovery from the previous 180 days; a negative result from an N.A.A.T. test performed within 72 hours of departure; or a negative result from a rapid antigen test performed within 24 hours of departure. To qualify as vaccinated, visitors who have completed only a primary course of vaccination must have received their final dose within the past nine months; those who have also received a booster dose face no time restriction. Children under 12 are exempt from the requirements. Before departure, all visitors must complete a health control form , which will generate a QR code that must be presented at the time of boarding and upon entry in Spain. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Fully vaccinated visitors as well as children under 12 may enter Sri Lanka without testing. Unvaccinated travelers age 12 and over must present a negative result from P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of departure, or a negative result from a rapid antigen test conducted within 48 hours of departure. All visitors must purchase Covid-19 insurance at a cost of $12 per month.

Visitors age 8 and over arriving from the United States must present either a certificate of vaccination or a negative result from a P.C.R. test administered no more than 96 hours before arrival. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Sudan.

Travelers who are vaccinated or who can document their recovery from Covid-19 in the previous six months are no longer required to test before entry. Unvaccinated visitors age 12 and over must carry a negative result from a P.C.R. test conducted within 48 hours of travel or from an antigen test from the previous 24 hours. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Sweden has lifted all pandemic-related entry restrictions.

SWITZERLAND

As of May 2, U.S. visitors may enter without testing or providing proof of vaccination. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

All travelers age 3 and over must show either proof of vaccination or a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of their arrival in the country. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Tajikistan.

Visitors to Tanzania must complete a health surveillance form within 24 hours of arrival. (Those traveling directly to Zanzibar should complete this form instead.) Travelers who present a vaccination card that includes a QR code may enter without testing. (The U.S. Embassy advises travelers to look here for information on how to obtain a QR code for a C.D.C. vaccination card.) Unvaccinated travelers must present a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. or N.A.A.T. test administered within 72 hours of travel; the test result must include a QR code. Children 5 and under are exempt from the test requirement.

Fully vaccinated and recovered international visitors may now enter Thailand without quarantine or testing. Travelers must apply for a Thailand Pass before departure and provide proof of health insurance to cover at least $10,000 in medical expenses. Unvaccinated travelers must provide a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. test conducted within 72 hours of departure. They must also apply for a Thailand Pass and provide proof of insurance. Unvaccinated travelers who arrive without a valid negative test result must follow the instructions of the public health officer they meet on arrival. All passengers undergo health screening on arrival, including a temperature check. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

All visitors must complete a travel form and upload a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken no more than three days before their departure for Togo. Visitors must also pay in advance for a second P.C.R. test, to be administered upon their arrival at Lomé Airport; proof of payment for the test must be shown before boarding. Arriving passengers must self-isolate until they receive a negative result from their on-arrival test, usually within 24 hours. Visitors are required to download the Togo Safe app; those who refuse may have to quarantine in a state facility for at least two weeks. Exit testing at the traveler’s expense is required no more than 72 hours before their departing flight.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

As of July 1, visitors will no longer be required to test before entry. They also no longer need to show proof of vaccination or apply for a travel pass. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Arriving passengers must complete an online questionnaire . Travelers who are fully vaccinated do not need to test before travel. Unvaccinated travelers 6 and over must present either a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken no more than 48 hours before departure or a negative result from an antigen test that is no more than 24 hours old. Travelers may be subject to random testing on arrival.

TURKS AND CAICOS

Fully vaccinated visitors may now enter without testing (a booster is not required to qualify). Unvaccinated travelers age 18 and over are not allowed entry. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Fully vaccinated travelers and children age 5 and under may enter without testing. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test conducted no more than 72 hours before boarding.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Vaccinated visitors to Abu Dhabi are no longer required to test before travel. Unvaccinated travelers age 16 and over must present either a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken in the previous 48 hours, or a Covid-19 recovery certificate dated within 30 days of departure; the certificate must have a QR code. Visitors must be fully vaccinated to enter most public places in Abu Dhabi.

Fully vaccinated visitors to Dubai no longer need to test before travel; their proof of vaccination must include a QR code. Unvaccinated travelers age 12 and over must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test from the previous 48 hours; alternatively, they may present proof of recovery from Covid-19 in the previous month. The U.S. Embassy advises travelers to check with their airlines for the latest information on testing requirements. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

UNITED KINGDOM

The United Kingdom has lifted all pandemic-related travel restrictions. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Visitors must complete a health declaration form before departure and carry proof of travel insurance. Vaccinated travelers and those who have recovered from Covid-19 in the previous 90 days may now enter without testing. Unvaccinated and unrecovered travelers age 6 and over must present a negative result from a P.C.R. or antigen test conducted in the 72 hours before departure; in addition, they must either quarantine for 14 days or undergo a P.C.R. test on day 7. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Travelers may now enter without testing or proof of vaccination; they must complete a health screening form on arrival and may be subject to testing if they display symptoms. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Uzbekistan.

Arriving passengers must present either proof of vaccination or a negative result from an R.T.-P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of entry. (A booster dose is required to qualify as vaccinated if more than 270 days have passed since the completion of the first vaccine series.) The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is “Level Unknown”; the agency recommends that those who are unvaccinated avoid travel to Venezuela.

Foreign visitors must present proof of travel insurance worth at least $10,000 and download and use the PC-COVID app while in the country. Travelers are not required to test or provide proof of vaccination, but they are asked to monitor their health for 10 days and inform authorities if they develop any Covid-19 symptoms. The C.D.C. risk assessment for Covid-19 is Level 3: High.

Vaccinated travelers may now enter without testing (a booster is not required to qualify). Unvaccinated travelers must carry a negative result from a P.C.R. test taken in the 72 hours before departure; children under 12 are exempt. All passengers undergo health screening on arrival; symptomatic travelers must isolate for 14 days and may be required to undergo testing.

Vaccinated visitors may now enter without testing. Unvaccinated visitors must present a negative result from a P.C.R. test administered no more than 48 hours before travel.

Heather Murphy, Ceylan Yeginsu, Concepción de León and Karen Schwartz contributed reporting.

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New FAA rest rules to address 'fatigue' issues with air traffic controllers

The Federal Aviation Administration is instituting new rest rules for U.S. air traffic controllers to address fatigue issues that may be degrading air safety.

Controllers will now be required to take 10 hours off between shifts and 12 hours off before a midnight shift. The mandate will take effect in 90 days, FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker said in a statement Friday.

"In my first few months at the helm of the FAA, I toured air traffic control facilities around the country — and heard concerns about schedules that do not always allow controllers to get enough rest," he said. "With the safety of our controllers and national airspace always top of mind for FAA, I took this very seriously — and we’re taking action."

In a statement following the release of the new mandate, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said that while it appreciated the FAA's attempt to address the fatigue issue, it was alarmed that the agency did not coordinate the new rules with them. It also warned said the new rules could backfire given current staffing shortage issues.

"NATCA is concerned that with an already understaffed controller workforce, immediate application of the Administrator’s new rules may lead to coverage holes in air traffic facilities’ schedules," it said. "These holes may affect National Airspace System capacity. Requiring controllers to work mandatory overtime to fill those holes would increase fatigue and make the new policy nothing more than window dressing."

The new mandate comes amid heightened scrutiny of U.S. air safety. On Thursday, the FAA announced it was investigating a near-miss incident at Washington's Reagan International Airport. A string of near-miss incidents last year led acting Administrator Billy Nolen to convene an emergency summit on U.S. air safety systems.

Whitaker, who took over as FAA chief in October, commissioned a study on fatigue within weeks of taking office. The subsequent 114-page report found, among other things, that sleep loss, especially in the context of night work and rotating shifts, "engender known safety and performance decrements that can lead to errors, incidents, and accidents."

Rob Wile is a breaking business news reporter for NBC News Digital.

American Air sees return to profit on summer travel demand

American Airlines Group Inc. expects a return to profit heading into the busy summer travel season after bad weather and delays linked to air traffic congestion weighed on the carrier’s early-year results.

Adjusted earnings will be $1.15 to $1.45 a share in the second quarter, American said in a statement Thursday as it reported a loss for the first three months. The midpoint is above the $1.16 average of analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

The outlook is an early sign that American’s post-pandemic shift in strategy to focus on domestic and near-international routes may pay off. The carrier believes its Sun Belt hubs in the US will benefit from a shift in population to states like Texas and Florida and its regional aircraft network can serve a broader base of smaller cities with little airline presence.

American shares slipped 2.1% at 9:41 a.m. in New York, reversing a premarket gain as the broader market fell. The stock increased 1.3% this year through Wednesday.

Capacity this quarter will climb as much as 9% from 2023, fueled by another summer of strong leisure demand and growing corporate and small business travel. Analyst were expecting 7.6% growth on average. Non-fuel unit costs will rise as much as 3%.

The airline reiterated its full-year profit forecast of $2.25 to $3.25 a share.

The carrier has largely sidestepped fallout from the crisis engulfing Boeing Co., which has slowed deliveries amid manufacturing issues and has struggled to get certification for overdue models. While American has purchased the delayed 737 Max 10, those aren’t scheduled to start arriving until 2028. Chief Executive Officer Robert Isom has encouraged the planemaker to “get its act together.”

Isom reiterated that message on a conference call Thursday with analysts, saying he has talked repeatedly with Boeing’s management.

“Get back to the basics - quality and safety are paramount,” the CEO said about the planemaker. “We’ll continue to work with them, do everything we can to support Boeing.”

Fewer Planes

Manufacturing delays will reduce to 16 the number of 737 Max aircraft American receives this year, down from 20 previously, and 787 deliveries will slide to three from six.

“With our narrowbody fleet and what we’ve projected in the widebody fleet we’re in pretty good shape with aircraft through the end of the decade,” Isom said.

American’s first-quarter adjusted loss of 34 cents a share compared with a 29-cent deficit expected by analysts. Revenue was $12.6 billion. The results for the period were affected by “significant weather events across its network,” American said.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier in February increased the cost to check bags. Global airlines collected $33.3 billion in such fees in 2023, up 15% from a year earlier.

American has delayed until July a change under which most customers will earn AAdvantage miles and loyalty points if they book flights directly with the carrier or certain partner airlines or preferred travel agencies. The shift was to have occurred May 1. It’s part of a broader effort by the airline to push customers and companies to deal directly with American instead of going through online agencies or corporate travel managers.

Fast heart attack care saves Spokane man from a widow-maker

In August 2022, Rick Hosmer was mountain biking in Mount Spokane State Park, one of his favorite hobbies.

Report: U.S. air pollution worst in 25 years as new environmental regulations finalized

Americans are breathing more toxic air now than in the past quarter-century, a new report from the American Lung Association says.

The findings, released Wednesday, show the worst toxic particle pollution in the 25 years the ALA has released its annual “State of the Air” report . The spike in pollution, experts say, is likely the result of climate change, including an increase in wildfires. More than 131 million Americans live in areas that showed unhealthy levels of air pollution, the report showed.

“We're seeing the most days and the ‘very unhealthy’ or ‘hazardous’ air quality level due to spikes in particle pollution,” Paul Billings, ALA ’s senior vice president of public policy, told USA TODAY. “Despite a lot of progress on air pollution cleanup, we're seeing the impacts of climate change, particularly wildfires, overwhelming a lot of cleanup, particularly with respect to these daily spikes of particle pollution.”

Pollution levels: New EPA rule says over 200 US chemical plants must reduce toxic emissions linked to cancer

The report looked at fine particulate matter, with daily and annual averages, and ozone pollution regulated under the Clean Air Act. The report found nearly 2 in 5 Americans live in areas that received a failing grade for at least one air pollution measure. Nearly 44 million people live in areas with failing grades for all air quality measures. The populations living amid the worst air quality are largely people of color, who also tend to have higher rates of chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease, which makes them especially vulnerable to air pollution.

Together, short-term and constant particle pollution contribute to tens of thousands of deaths a year, the report found. Respiratory ailments, such as asthma attacks, can be triggered by high levels of short-term pollution, but longer-term exposure can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

The communities with the best air quality included Bangor, Maine; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Honolulu. Except for Honolulu, most of the cities with the best air quality were majority white.

The report uses new Environmental Protection Agency rules finalized in February for annual fine particulate matter pollution that limits levels from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9. Experts said that better reflects health problems associated with this type of pollution.

“There is no safe level to particle pollution,” Dr. Kari Nadeau, the John Rock professor of climate and population studies at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told USA TODAY. “We were not meant to breathe this in as humans.”

Still, she said, the lower level of allowable particulate matter in the air, even though the limit was reduced by just 3 micrograms, will save lives and health costs. By 2032, it will amount to $46 billion in cost savings and help the U.S. avoid 4,500 premature deaths, 800,000 cases of asthma and 290,000 lost workdays, an EPA analysis found.

Meanwhile, the level of ozone, also known as smog, generally improved across the U.S., the report noted. Ozone is a pollutant driven by warmer temperatures, which climate change has exacerbated. Once in the air, it’s hard to remove. Exposure to ozone creates what the ALA describes as "sunburn" of the lungs. It triggers shortness of breath, coughing and asthma attacks and can shorten the life span of people who are exposed to it.

The western U.S. experienced the bulk of the pollution because of pollution from roadways, agriculture, oil and gas industries and seemingly endless wildfires.

Communities like California’s San Joaquin Valley, long the nation’s agricultural heartland, continue to be overrepresented for taking in the worst pollution in the ALA report. The cities of Bakersfield, Fresno and Visalia – hubs for agricultural production, shipping and warehouses where the population is predominantly Latino – make up the top five cities in each of the report’s measures for 24-hour particle pollution, year-round particle pollution, and ground-level ozone pollution.

Gustavo Aguirre Jr., a Bakersfield resident and associate director of climate and environmental justice at the nonprofit Central California Asthma Collaborative, said the numbers are not new to the community. He likened the air quality findings to reports of the region's record numbers on drunken driving.

“We would not have a sober day,” he said, adding the area hasn't seen clean days in decades. “For us, this is just a continuation of bad news.”

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The collaborative, founded to help educate residents with asthma about health risks, has moved to provide updated air filtration systems to homes, as well as community air monitoring networks to give people a better sense of local air quality levels. The organization also has looked at shifting public policy to regulate burn days, when old orchards are set afire, and electrify big rigs that rely on diesel fuel, a key polluter on the main highways that bring agriculture from the valley to cities in the north and south.

The region also faces unique challenges because of its inland location: Pollution from the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles travels to the valley, where it becomes trapped. Wildfires throughout California contribute to the problem. Efforts to reduce pollution levels over many years in the region appear not to have saved people in the San Joaquin Valley from particulate matter.

“A lot of people feel at this point that there’s not much that they can do to address it or change it,” said Sarah Sharpe, a Fresno resident and the collaborative’s deputy executive director. “It's just kind of a state of where we either have to live, or we choose to live.”

Dr. John Balmes, a professor emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine who provided an academic review on the report’s health section, acknowledged there have been improvements in air quality. Ozone levels have declined in some places. But much of the progress has been wiped out by wildfire smoke and related effects of climate change.

“The same pollutants that affect our health also contribute to climate change,” he said.

The pollutants increase the risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart failure and arrhythmia, as well as respiratory ailments such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Breathing in high levels of particulate matter in the long term has been linked to brain damage that puts people at higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias.

The report used only data from 2020 to 2022. It did not include the impact of the historic wildfires across Canada in 2023 that choked many eastern U.S. cities, turning skies orange. These circumstances were thought to be unique to the West Coast fire seasons.

The wildfires in Canada awakened New Yorkers to toxic air quality levels Black and Latino residents in the South Bronx already knew well. Apartments in the South Bronx sit near several intersecting freeways, power plants and waste management facilities that create some of the worst air quality in the region. Before the wildfires, the South Bronx had some of the highest asthma rates in the U.S. And now things are worse.

“Our community is suffocating on a daily basis,” said Leslie Vasquez, clean air project organizer for the environmental justice nonprofit South Bronx Unite . “When they go home, that air is also breathed in on a daily basis.”

The group has installed dozens of air monitors across the South Bronx to record pollution levels and the wind, heat and humidity that contribute to people getting sick from pollutants. Combined heat and humidity, especially during the summer, can trigger additional deaths as temperatures and severe weather increase amid climate change.