Communicable Disease Service

Traveler’s Health 

It is important to stay aware of circulating diseases while traveling. Our goal is to ensure healthy travel and keep you informed with the latest travel-related updates and alerts. Policies and practices may change regularly, so be sure to check this website for updated information.

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Keep you and your loved ones safe during holiday takeoff by following these travel safety tips. 

As of May 3rd, 2022, CDC recommends that everyone aged 2 years or older including passengers and workers properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator over the nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation (such as airplanes, trains, buses, ferries) and transportation hubs (such as airports, stations, and seaports). When people properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator, they protect themselves and those around them, and help keep travel and public transportation corridors safer for everyone. 

Ebola is caused by an infection with a virus and is primarily spread through contact with blood or bodily fluids of a person infected with Ebola. It can also spread through contact with contaminated objects or infected animals such as infected fruit bats or nonhuman primates. Symptoms of Ebola include fever, muscle pain, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising. For more information, click here.  

There is currently an Ebola outbreak in Uganda and it is advised to avoid travel to affected regions unless essential. This current outbreak is of the Sudan ebolavirus, different than the Zaire ebolavirus outbreak of 2014. Travelers should follow the guidelines below when traveling to and from an affected region. 

During travel: 

• Avoid contact with sick people  
• Avoid contact with all body fluids from all people 
• Avoid contact with dead people or animals 

After travel: 

• Monitor yourself for 21 days after travel 
• Travelers should isolate immediately and seek medical care if they develop signs or symptoms such for 21 days after travel 
• You may also contact your local health department to find out where to seek care. Be sure to tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms 
• See useful links for additional information on Ebola: 
  • NJDOH Ebola Webpage 
  • CDC Ebola Webpage 
  • List of current Ebola outbreaks  

Cases of monkeypox (hMPXV) have been reported in several countries that don’t typically report monkeypox (hMPXV), including the United States. Cases are rare among travelers though they have occurred. Veterinarians and wildlife professionals may be at risk if they work with infected animals when traveling. See travel advice below and visit the NJDOH Monkeypox website for case counts and key facts. 

It is advised that travelers:

• Do not travel if you have monkeypox (hMPXV)
• Avoid close contact, including sexual contact with sick people including those with skin lesions or genital lesions.
• Exercise caution when visiting places and taking part in activities associated with higher risk sexual behaviors.
• Avoid contact with contaminated materials used by sick people such as clothing, bedding, or healthcare materials.
• If you have been exposed, monitor symptoms for 21 days after exposure and follow the steps here.
  • Symptoms of monkeypox (hMPXV) include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, respiratory symptoms, and a rash that may be located on or near the genitals or other places such as hands, feet, mouth, chest, or face.
  • You may experience all or only a few of these symptoms.
• If you are sick and could possibly have monkeypox (hMPXV), delay travel until symptoms have resolved, lesions have healed, and a new layer of skin has formed.
  • If you returned from travel and think you might have monkeypox (hMPXV), speak with your healthcare provider who will discuss testing and treatment. Isolate at home away from others while you are awaiting your test results.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• When traveling to areas where monkeypox (hMPXV) has historically been reported (Central or West Africa)
  • Avoid contact with dead animals.
  • Avoid contact with live wild animals including rodents such as rats and squirrels and non-human primates such as monkeys.
  • Avoid eating or preparing meat from wild game or using products created from wild animals.
  • Wear appropriate protective equipment and take additional precautions if traveling to work or care for animals.
• See the CDC Travel Notices website, CDC Monkeypox Global Map, and CDC Monkeypox website for additional information.

COVID-19 has changed travel plans for many. Our goal is to ensure healthy travel and keep you informed with the latest travel-related updates. Policies and practices may change regularly, so be sure to check this site for updated information.

It is recommended to delay domestic travel until you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. Be sure to use the domestic travel checker to help you follow all state and local recommendations and requirements. If traveling by air, check airline requirements prior to your flight. It is recommended to get tested with a viral test no more than 3 days before travel. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should be sure to follow steps to continue to protect others during travel. 

• For those traveling to New Jersey, domestic travel is defined as lasting 24 hours or longer to states or US territories other than those connected to New Jersey, such as Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware.
• Check the current COVID-19 Community Levels at your destination prior to departure. 
• After returning to New Jersey:
  • Get tested with a viral test if you were in high risk situations such as being crowded places without wearing a well-fitting mask. 
  • If you have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, see these specific testing recommendations. 
• Domestic Travel Requirements 
• Domestic Travel Checker

It is recommended to delay international travel until you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. If you have proof of vaccination, take it with you. Some destinations require proof of vaccination to enter, so please check your destination prior to travel. You can upload your vaccination card to your phone via the secure Docket App. Consider getting tested with a viral test before you travel to limit the further spread of COVID-19. This test should be no more than 3 days before travel. If you have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, see these specific testing recommendations.

• Effective June 12, 2022, persons boarding a flight to the United States will no longer need to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19.
• Non-U.S. Citizens and Non-U.S. Immigrants must be fully vaccinated with a primary series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to travel to the United States by plane. 
• After returning to New Jersey:
  • Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel and self-monitor for symptoms.
  • If you have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, see these specific testing recommendations.

• International Travel Checklist
• International Travel Checker

It is now recommended to delay cruise travel until you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. 

• Cruise Ship Information
• All air passengers to the United States will be required to provide basic contact information to airlines before boarding flights. This will facilitate public health action in the event of an exposure to a communicable disease, such as COVID-19. 

We are aware that many universities have international students along with students that depart to study abroad. Students and faculty may also be planning trips both internationally and domestically. Use the tools and infographics on our site to help prepare yourself for travel and inform you with what you need to know. Be sure to use the Destination Checker above to see the risk associated with your travel destination. 

• Effective February 25th, 2022, CDC has released new guidelines for masking on buses or vans operated by public and private school systems. See the changes here.  
• If you are coming to New Jersey as an international student or are a faculty, staff member, or student returning from international travel, your institution may require that you get tested for COVID-19 prior to returning to campus. Check your institution’s specific policies as they may have free testing on campus. Click here to locate other free COVID-19 testing sites near you.
• Free or low-cost treatment is also available to at Community Health Centers also known as FQHC’s. This treatment is available to you regardless of immigration status and whether you have insurance or not. Click here to locate a FQHC near you.
• If you are not yet vaccinated, consider getting vaccinated prior to travel.