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​Health Information for Travelers

Welcome to our safe travel webpage, where we are committed to providing you with the latest information and guidelines to ensure your travels are as safe and healthy as possible.

With the COVID-19 emergency declaration ending, many people are excited to resume their travel plans, but it's important to remember that the threat of COVID-19 is still present. While vaccinations and other preventive measures have helped to decrease the spread of the virus, it's crucial to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect yourself and others while traveling.

Whether you're traveling within Pennsylvania or venturing outside of the state, it's important to take steps to protect your health and the health of those around you. This page is designed to provide helpful tips and resources on preventing the spread of illnesses and diseases, including COVID-19, during your travels. By following best practices and staying informed, you can help ensure your travels are safe and enjoyable.

Planning a trip? Before you go, make sure you are up to date with all your vaccinations. Traveling can increase your chances of getting sick and international travel increases your chances of getting and spreading diseases that are uncommon in the United States. Stay informed about your destination's specific health risks and recommended vaccines by checking the CDC's destination page and travel vaccines page

Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster: Text your ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find a location near you or visit COVID-19 Vaccine.

If you have any questions about vaccinations, contact 1-877-PA-HEALTH or your local health department.

Get Tested: Widely available at-home antigen tests can help you detect a COVID-19 infection and prevent you from unknowingly spreading the virus.  You can get free COVID-19 tests mailed right to your door. Order today at covidtests.gov

Check to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended:

The CDC's Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) Program

The CDC's TGS program, initially focused on COVID-19, is now expanding to test for flu, RSV, and other respiratory viruses in international air travelers. This program involves collecting nasal swab and wastewater samples at six major U.S. airports, such as Boston Logan, San Francisco International, Dulles in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles International, Newark, and New York's JFK International. The goal is to quickly identify and track new virus variants and pathogens, providing important data for public health responses. Participation in this program is voluntary and anonymous.

Safe Travel Bulletin

A quarterly bulletin focusing on health news that may impact your travel plans:

Sign up to receive The Safe Travel Bulletin


Resources

Request a Free Public Health Consultation  

If you are looking for support from the experts, the Bureau of Epidemiology's Safe Travel Team is a free resource developed to support Commonwealth travelers and the institutions that serve them.

Travel team members are available to:

  • Provide the latest health and safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the PA Department of Health (PA DOH) to help curb the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases while traveling.
  • Collaborate with transportation providers, community organizations, Institutes of higher education, and public health agencies to provide educational products.
  • Answer questions concerning alerts to existing, new, and emerging public health threats affecting travelers.

Reach out with questions to: ra-pwsafetravel@pa.gov