What are some guidelines for traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Wear a mask over your nose and mouth.

Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you.

Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).

Can flying on an airplane increase my risk of getting COVID-19?

Yes. Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes. However, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and you may have to sit near others (within 6 feet), sometimes for hours. This may increase your risk for exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Do I have to wear a mask when traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic?

All travelers should continue to wear a mask, stay 6 feet from others and avoid crowds, wash their hands often, and follow state, local, and international recommendations and requirements for their destination and along their route.

Can traveling to visit family or friends increase my chances of getting and spreading COVID-19?

Yes. CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated, because travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s Domestic Travel or International Travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.

Can COVID-19 be transmitted on airplanes?

We conclude that the risk for on-board transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during long flights is real and has the potential to cause COVID-19 clusters of substantial size, even in business class–like settings with spacious seating arrangements well beyond the established distance used to define close contact on airplanes.

As long as COVID-19 presents a global pandemic threat in the absence of a good point-of-care test, better on-board infection prevention measures and arrival screening procedures are needed to make flying safe.

Am I required to quarantine after domestic travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?

CDC does not require travelers to undergo a mandatory federal quarantine. However, CDC recommends that unvaccinated travelers self-quarantine after travel for 7 days with a negative test and for 10 days if they don’t get tested.

Check CDC’s Domestic Travel pages for the latest recommendations for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.

Is it safe to hang out with friends during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Spending more than 15 minutes within 6 feet of another person increases your risk of catching and spreading COVID-19 — especially if that person is being less cautious than you are.

Does interaction with others affect the spread of COVID-19?

The more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spreading.

How does COVID-19 mainly spread?

Spread of COVID-19 occurs via airborne particles and droplets. People who are infected with COVID can release particles and droplets of respiratory fluids that contain the SARS CoV-2 virus into the air when they exhale (e.g., quiet breathing, speaking, singing, exercise, coughing, sneezing).

Why is the risk of getting COVID-19 higher in crowded spaces?

The risks of getting COVID-19 are higher in crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected people spend long periods of time together in close proximity. These environments are where the virus appears to spread by respiratory droplets or aerosols more efficiently, so taking precautions is even more important.

Can COVID-19 spread through HVAC systems?

While airflows within a particular space may help spread disease among people in that space, there is no definitive evidence to date that viable virus has been transmitted through an HVAC system to result in disease transmission to people in other spaces served by the same system.

How long does COVID-19 survive on clothes?

Research suggests that COVID-19 doesn’t survive for long on clothing, compared to hard surfaces, and exposing the virus to heat may shorten its life. A study published in found that at room temperature, COVID-19 was detectable on fabric for up to two days, compared to seven days for plastic and metal.

Should I avoid indoor spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic?

• Avoid indoor spaces that do not offer fresh air from the outdoors as much as possible. If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible.

Does going to bars and restaurants increase risk of catching COVID-19?

Many new clusters of infection have been traced back to dining and drinking experiences. These activities are actually particularly risky because a mask can’t be worn while eating or drinking.

What is the recommended social distance to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Maintain at least a 1-metre distance between yourself and others to reduce your risk of infection when they cough, sneeze or speak. Maintain an even greater distance between yourself and others when indoors. The further away, the better.

How does ventilation help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Improving ventilation is an important COVID-19 prevention strategy that can reduce the number of virus particles in the air. Along with other preventive strategies, including wearing a well-fitting, multi-layered mask, bringing fresh outdoor air into a building helps keep virus particles from concentrating inside.

How can I increase ventilation in my home to reduce the risk of COVID-19?

• Open windows and screened doors. Do not open windows and doors if doing so poses a safety or health risk to children or other family members (e.g., risk of falling or triggering asthma symptoms).
• Operate a whole-house fan, or an evaporative cooler, if your home has one.

What are the CDC recommendations for hosting gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The size of the event should be determined based on whether attendees from different households can stay at least 6 feet (2 arm lengths) Physical distancing at events can reduce transmission risk—for example, blocking off seats or modifying room layouts.

Why would you need a ventilator in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?

When your lungs inhale and exhale air normally, they take in oxygen your cells need to survive and expel carbon dioxide. COVID-19 can inflame your airways​​​​​​​ and essentially drown your lungs in fluids.

A ventilator mechanically helps pump oxygen into your body.

Can COVID-19 spread through breathing and talking?

The study reported that even breathing or talking could possibly release tiny particles (Bioaerosols) carrying the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID 19. The team explained that the virus can stay suspended in the air in the ultrafine mist that is produced when infected people exhale.

How many guests can safely attend a conference, concert, or other community event during the COVID-19 pandemic?

CDC does not provide specific numbers, including maximum or minimum numbers, of attendees for events and gatherings. Event organizers should work with local public health officials and follow applicable local laws and regulations, including those related to privacy, to determine the prevention strategies needed in their area. Event organizers should also monitor levels of community transmission (low, moderate, substantial, or high) and local COVID-19 vaccination coverage.