Chicago currently has no COVID-19 related vaccination, mask, travel and gathering restrictions or requirements.
Some individual businesses may still require proof of vaccination or masks.
Make sure to check your destination for COVID-19 related vaccination, mask, travel, and gathering restrictions or requirements.
The CDC provides updated travel assessments for domestic and international travel.
Dr. Allison Arwady, Commissioner
Chicago Department of Public Heath
COVID-19, one of the worst pandemics of this century, brought global tourism to a standstill. Thanks to vaccines, countries around the world re-opened for travel as more people became vaccinated. It’s a cautionary reminder: Everyone is exposed to numerous infectious risks which may occur during travel. Having a plan to protect yourself and loved ones along every step of your journey is important.
Here, you’ll find current COVID-19 travel guidance and information on emerging health risks impacting Chicago. Incorporating these straightforward recommendations can help you prevent illness and spread. Keep in mind, depending on your travel destination, it’s not just COVID-19 that you may need protection from. For comprehensive resources, visit CDC Travelers’ Health or explore the Helpful Links below.
Did you know that you can sign up at CDC Travelers’ Health to get travel notices, clinical updates, and healthy travel tips?
Travelers’ Health
COVID-19
Additional Resources
The most important thing that you can do to stay protected, especially when traveling, is to make sure you are up to date on all routine vaccinations. Vaccines protect travelers against serious diseases. Depending on your destination, additional vaccines may even be required to travel to certain places.
You can get your COVID-19 primary series vaccine or the new, updated bivalent booster at the same time as your annual flu shot.
The CDC recommends that you visit your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist at least one month before you leave. This will give the vaccines time to start working, so you’re safe while traveling. The vaccines you need will depend on varying factors such as your age, medical condition, vaccine history, and destination.
Combining these simple tools can reduce your risk of getting infected and spreading COVID-19.
The most important thing a person can do to protect themselves anywhere, but particularly during travel, is to get your influenza vaccine AND a COVID-19 primary vaccine or new updated bivalent booster. The influenza and COVID-19 vaccines can:
Yes. This updated COVID-19 vaccine was designed specifically to target the omicron subvariants – the dominant virus currently circulating in the U.S. – in addition to the original circulating strain. It is very different from the boosters previously offered – the vaccine gives us a chance to try and get ahead of the virus, by protecting individuals from the dominant variant currently circulating in the U.S.
Yes. It is safe to receive both vaccines at the same time, and it is important to consider both vaccines as soon as possible, before peak respiratory season, which starts in November.
For those outside of Chicago who need help finding a nearby location to receive the flu vaccine, the COVID-19 primary series vaccine, or the bivalent booster, Vaccines.gov is a free online service that you can use to search for pharmacies and other providers.
If you are located in Chicago, visit Vaccine Finder in Chicago.
Wearing a mask can protect you and your family from COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. Federal guidance recommends that all travelers ages 2 and up wear a well-fitting mask or respirator while at indoor transportation facilities or while on public transportation. Some locations in Illinois, like healthcare facilities and private businesses, may require masks.
Anyone, including people who are up-to-date on vaccination, should consider getting tested at the following key times and points along your journey.
Learn how you can request free at-home tests here. Be sure to pack at-home COVID-19 tests in case you develop symptoms while traveling. If you develop symptoms while in Chicago and need help finding a COVID-19 test, visit our COVID-19 testing page for Chicago testing locations. Testing sites in Illinois can be found here.
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick from respiratory viruses.
To prevent the spread of germs, you should wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds:
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands.
If you test positive for COVID-19 or are experiencing signs of respiratory illness, isolation is the best way to avoid spreading the illness.
If you must travel for treatment and use public transportation, wear a tight-fitting mask, and maintain 6 feet of social distance from other passengers.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of developing severe disease, please consult with your physician as soon as possible to see if treatment is right for you.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Community Levels are a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be Low, Medium, or High and are determined by looking at COVID-19 hospital beds being used by COVID-19 patients, new COVID-19 hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.
The CDC’s website allows users to search for counties to identify the current risk level. ALL travelers, regardless of vaccination status, should check the map so you know whether the areas you are traveling to are Low, Medium, or High risk for COVID-19.
ALL travelers (Low, Medium, and High) are advised to:
If the areas are Medium Level (yellow):
If the areas are High Level (orange):
The CDC provides information about a variety of diseases that could impact you while traveling.
In addition to COVID-19, CDPH recognizes heightened awareness for the following health risks:
