COVID-19 has brought about the need for additional consideration when planning international travel. Each country has its own rules about COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and other entry requirements. These rules also change frequently, so knowing where to go for the latest information is important.
International travel organizations, the United Nations, and the Department of State can all be reliable sources of information about COVID-19 and travel.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must follow the public health guidelines of where you are, and antiviral treatments can reduce the severity of your illness.
Public health guidelines
The public health guidelines at your destination can give you specific recommendations about what you need to know about COVID-19. In addition to listing any visitor requirements, public health advisories can tell you if guidelines mandate the closure of certain businesses or facilities.
You can visit the State Department’s website and select your destination for further information about the latest public health advisories.
You might also consider looking at the official government resources of your destination, including region-specific websites.
Vaccine rules
You might consider staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination recommendations, including booster shots. The public health guidelines for your destination country might require a recent vaccination. Even if there is no requirement, a current vaccination can help reduce the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 and prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a destinations page where you can find information about all vaccinations you may need to travel to a specific place, including vaccines for COVID-19. You can also discuss options with a primary care physician.
If your destination requires a vaccine, be sure to note the type of vaccine they accept. Different countries have different vaccines, and it is important to ensure the one you receive meets their requirements.
COVID-19 testing rules
Each country will have individual requirements on whether you need a recent COVID-19 test or a vaccine to visit. For the latest information, consider using the United Nations (UN) Destination Tracker. This resource is a combined initiative of a UN agency and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA also has a COVID-19 travel regulations map that color-codes countries according to present restrictions. The organization’s travel document news page includes information on regulations and documents that you may need before international travel.
What should you do if you test positive?
If you test positive for COVID-19, you should follow local health guidelines. These guidelines might require you to stay at your hotel for a certain number of days or to wear a mask in public. The CDC guidelines if you test positive for COVID-19 in the United States are:
- stay at home for at least 5 days
- wear a mask around others for at least 10 days
- get medication if you might get very sick from COVID-19
The CDC has other recommendations specific to isolating from others who live in your household, such as staying in your own room and using a separate bathroom if possible.
If you do get COVID-19, several antiviral treatments can help. These medicines won’t cure COVID-19, but they can reduce the risk of hospitalization or serious complications.
You might consider an antiviral treatment for COVID-19 if you have underlying health conditions that put you at greater risk. This might be the case if you:
- are 50 years of age or older
- are unvaccinated or not up to date with the latest COVID-19 vaccine booster
- have a weakened immune system
- have a chronic medical condition such as lung or heart disease
In the United States, the antiviral treatments available for COVID-19 are:
- nirmatrelvir with ritonavir (Paxlovid): Paxlovid is an oral medication that you must start within 5 days of getting symptoms. It’s approved for use in adults and children ages 12 and older.
- molnupiravir (Lagevrio): Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) is also an oral medication that you should start taking as soon as possible, at least within 5 days of your first symptom. This medication is for adult use only.
- remdesivir (Veklury): If you are not staying in the hospital, you will typically receive Remdesivir (Veklury) by intravenous infusion (IV) at a clinic or other outpatient setting, once daily for 3 days. In case of hospitalization, you will receive the same IV infusion once per day for up to 10 days. The treatment is for adults and children and should start within 7 days of symptom onset.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
