(CNN) — Martin Luther King Jr. was born and raised in the American South, but his dream of racial equality and social justice reverberated out of his region, into the whole country and around the world. And it wasn’t just his vision that spanned the globe – the man himself embarked on travels far and wide.

You can honor him on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 15) – or any other time of year – by walking in his footsteps figuratively or literally.

From his homeland in the heart of the South to unexpected destinations far beyond America’s shores, here are the places that shaped and inspired the man:

Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia’s busy capital city is King’s birthplace and his final resting place. As such, it probably has the biggest claim on his legacy and MLK-related sites.

Many of them are clustered together at the MLK Jr. National Historical Park in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood of downtown Atlanta, including the tombs for MLK and Coretta Scott King.

Some of the highlights include:

• Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church: This is where MLK was baptized and where he co-pastored with his father starting in 1960. It’s been magnificently restored inside and out to how it appeared in the 1960s and is an ideal place for prayer and quiet reflection. 407 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30312.

• MLK Birth Home: You can tour the two-story house where MLK was raised, when Sweet Auburn was the epicenter for African American life in Atlanta. 501 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312.

• The King Center: Coretta Scott King established the The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in 1968. Almost 1 million people would visit annually pre-pandemic to learn more about the Kings’ public and private lives and to pay their respects at their tombs, the reflecting pool and the eternal flame. 449 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30312.

Just a few miles away, prestigious Morehouse College is King’s alma mater. (In fact, MLK Jr. was one of numerous King family men to attend college there). The campus grounds are a lovely place to take a stroll where the young collegian walked. 830 Westview Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30314.

Memphis, Tennessee

For a city of its size, Memphis has an outsized influence on the nation’s musical, cultural and political history. The United States was deep in turmoil and scarred by violence when King came to Memphis in March 1968 in support of striking sanitation workers.

King and his group were booked at the Lorraine Motel, a safe and welcoming place to stay for black travelers at the time. On April 4, King was standing on the balcony outside of room 306 when he was shot and killed.

Today, the Lorraine is the site of the National Civil Rights Museum, where you can learn about the broad sweep of civil rights history as well as see the room where the man who changed America spent his final living hours.

On the Monday holiday, the museum is hosting an all-day celebration that will include children’s activities and live entertainment as well as a food drive. Admission to the museum on Monday will be free from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A new exhibition, “Tarred Healing,” featuring photography by Cornell Watson, opens on Monday. 450 Mulberry St., Memphis, TN 38103.

If you would like to also eat where King often broke bread, visit the soul food restaurant The Four Way. Opened since 1946, it serves Southern favorites such as fried chicken, turnip greens and lemon meringue pie (said to be an MLK favorite). 998 Mississippi Blvd., Memphis, TN 38126.

Montgomery, Alabama

It’s difficult to overstate the impact of King’s time in the segregated capital of Alabama during the mid-1950s. His coordination of the long bus strike after Rosa Parks famously refused to yield her seat put him on the national and international map.

Today, Montgomery has numerous must-see civil rights attractions, including:

• The outdoor National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which explores the history of lynching, Jim Crow laws and more. 417 Caroline St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

• The indoor Legacy Museum, about 1 mile away from the memorial. It’s situated on a site where Black people were forced to labor in bondage. 400 N.Court St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

Both were founded by the Equal Justice Initiative and will be open on Monday for MLK Day with free admission.

• The Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University, which is dedicated to Parks’ legacy and the lessons of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. 252 Montgomery St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

• Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church: This church was founded in 1877 in a slave trader’s pen and was originally called Second Colored Baptist Church. King served as its pastor from 1954 to 1960. It was from here he planned the bus boycott and other efforts to dismantle segregation. Tours of the church are by appointment; you can visit on Sunday morning for worship. 454 Dexter Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104.

• Dexter Parsonage Museum: This is the clapboard house where King lived – and which was bombed several times during the civil rights struggle. Open Fridays and Saturdays; otherwise by appointment. 309 S Jackson St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

• Enjoy some food and history at Brenda’s Bar-Be-Que. During the Montgomery bus boycott, organizers gathered at the restaurant and Black people were taught how to read and write there so they could pass literacy tests and vote. Menu favorites for locals include ribs and a pig ear sandwich.1457 Mobile Road Montgomery, AL 36108.

Birmingham, Alabama

The industrial powerhouse of the South and a bedrock of integration opposition in the mid-20th century, Birmingham also figured prominently in King’s life.

It was from Alabama’s largest city, after all, that he penned his famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” in 1963, in which he passionately defended nonviolent civil disobedience to skeptical white ministers who questioned his tactics and perceived impatience at the pace of change.

You can see the actual door from his jail cell at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute as well as important documents and oral histories from the civil rights movement. 520 16th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203; +1 205 328 9696

Kelly Ingram Park, which was a gathering spot for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and other groups in the civil rights movement, has sculptures depicting the struggle. 5th Avenue N & 16th Street.

Washington, DC

It now seems inevitable that King’s march for justice took him beyond the Deep South to the nation’s capital. Here are some places you can visit:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial: The first memorial to honor an African American individual on the National Mall, it opened to the public in 2011 and features a powerful 30-foot statue of King emerging from boulders. You can also read inspirational quotes made in carvings on the site. 1850 West Basin Drive SW, Washington, DC 20024 (closest Metro station is the Smithsonian)

• The Lincoln Memorial: Fittingly, it was from the steps of this beloved memorial that King gave his most famous speech – “I Have a Dream.” Sit on the steps, close your eyes and just imagine the atmosphere there on August 28, 1963, as more than a quarter of a million people filled the National Mall to hear what became one of the most important speeches in US history. 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20037

• The National Museum of African American History And Culture: The museum made an excellent addition to the capital’s many fine institutions when it opened in 2016. The museum contains artifacts directly related to King as well as a sweeping look at the contributions and tribulations of Black Americans. 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560

Boston, Massachusetts

While several cities in the South claim part of the King legacy, it may surprise some folks to know that Boston, that bastion of New England, also was a key place in shaping his life.

Before returning to the South, King attended Boston University in the early 1950s. Just as you can walk in the undergraduate’s footsteps at Morehouse in Atlanta, you can do the same for grad student King at BU. 771 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215.

You may want to go to the grounds of the impressive Massachusetts State House, where King addressed a joint session of the legislature in April 1965. 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133

You can also see a 22-foot memorial called The Embrace in Boston Common park that commemorates MLK and Coretta Scott King. This is the city, after all, where they met and where they began married life.

Bimini, Bahamas

Combine a gorgeous island getaway with some MLK history on Bimini, the western most outpost of the Bahamas and just 50 miles off the coast of Florida.

King would come here to relax and craft his speeches, including notes for his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech he gave in Oslo, Norway, in 1964.

CNN Travel’s Lilit Marcus reported in a 2018 article that “there are two busts of King on the island – one in front of the Straw Market in the center of Alice Town and one among the very mangroves where King spent so many peaceful afternoons.”

Ghana

The civil rights struggles in the United States and the end of colonialism in Africa came at the same time and naturally the movements dovetailed.

In 1957, the Kings went to Ghana in West Africa to attend its independence ceremony from Britain, according to the King Encyclopedia at Stanford University. In the capital of Accra, he met then-Vice President Richard Nixon, among others.

His first overseas trip, Ghana had a profound effect on King. Upon his return to the United States, he said, “Ghana has something to say to us. It says to us first, that the oppressor never voluntarily gives freedom to the oppressed. You have to work for it.”

Before the pandemic, Ghana was emerging as a prime tourist destination not just in West Africa but the entire continent. While many people come for the beaches, wildlife and food, it also holds important historical sites.

Those include Cape Coast Castle, which was a hub of the transatlantic slave trade. A visit there is a somber reminder of centuries of oppression and its ramifications during MLK’s time up to today. Victoria Road, Cape Coast, Ghana, +233 57 710 1707

India

Mahatma Gandhi’s crusade of nonviolent resistance to liberate India from British rule deeply influenced King.

In February and March of 1959, King embarked on a five-week tour of India to learn more about the movement that inspired him. In Delhi, he met with Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, among others. He talked with students at New Delhi University.

Eventually he made his way to Calcutta (now called Kolkata), India’s intellectual center. Martin Luther King Sarani, a street named for him in the heart of the city, is not far from the Victoria Memorial.

In Bombay (now called Mumbai), King visited Mani Bhavan, which is where Gandhi worked and lived for 17 years. Today, it’s a museum where you can see artifacts from Gandhi’s life. 19, Laburnum Raod, Gamdevi, Mumbai-400 007, India.

Online

If you’re simply not able to make it to any of these places in person this year, trace the journeys of King online at Stanford University’s extensive King Institute. It’s a deep dive into his life, yet easy to navigate.

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CNN) — Air travelers in the United States hoping for clear skies on Tuesday following a disastrous week of weather-related flight cancellations and delays will have to extend their patience a few more days — particularly if they’re flying with troubled Southwest Airlines.

More than 3,000 flights within, into or out of the United States have already been canceled for Tuesday as of 5 p.m. ET, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.

Of those canceled flights, just over 2,600 were those of Southwest. That was almost two-thirds of all Southwest flights for Tuesday and a stunning 85% of all canceled flights in the United States.

By contrast, competitors Alaska Airlines had only 9% of its flights canceled and United Airlines had only 2%.

Airports most affected by the Tuesday cancellations are Denver International, followed by Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Chicago Midway International, Baltimore/Washington International, Nashville International and Dallas Love Field.

There were almost 5,200 delays as of 5 p.m. ET Tuesday.

Tuesday’s cancellations follow a full day of post-Christmas travel chaos, with 3,989 flights canceled on Monday — 2,909 of those being Southwest flights.

And Southwest’s Christmas struggles come during a year of troubles for the airline industry. Over the summer, nearly a quarter of US flights were delayed and thousands were canceled.

Southwest: Expect more days of cancellations

Southwest warns that this week’s cancellations and delays are expected to continue for several more days, with representatives saying the Dallas-based airline is planning to dial back its flight schedule in order to get operations on track.

Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan told The Wall Street Journal the company plans to operate just over a third of its schedule in upcoming days to give itself the ability for crews to get into the right positions.

According to WSJ.com, Jordan added that reduced schedule could be extended.

“We had a tough day today. In all likelihood we’ll have another tough day tomorrow as we work our way out of this,” Jordan said in an interview Monday evening with WSJ.com.

“This is the largest scale event that I’ve ever seen.”

Multiplying problems

Southwest was hit particularly hard because of a cascade of issues.

The storm slammed two of its biggest hubs — Chicago and Denver — at a time when Covid and other winter ailments were stretching staff rosters. Southwest’s aggressive schedule and underinvestment have also been blamed.

The winter storm that swept across the country was ill-timed for travelers who had started pushing Christmas week flying numbers back toward pre-pandemic levels.

On Christmas Day, 3,178 flights were canceled and 6,870 were delayed, according to FlightAware.

On Christmas Eve, there were a total of 3,487 flights canceled, according to FlightAware.

Friday was the worst day of this streak with 5,934 cancellations, while Thursday saw almost 2,700 cancellations.

What can stranded passengers do?

At the Southwest ticket counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Tuesday morning, long lines were already building up as travelers waited to try to rebook flights or make connections.

And at Chicago’s Midway International, huge buildups of unclaimed bags piled up as passengers struggled to reclaim their luggage. There were similar scenes at other airports including Harry Reid in Las Vegas and William P. Hobby Airport in Houston.

Passenger Trisha Jones told CNN at the airport in Atlanta that she and her partner had been traveling for five days, trying to get home to Wichita, Kansas, after disembarking from a cruise at Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

After her flight out was canceled, she stayed with relatives then rerouted to Atlanta to pick up a connecting flight.

“We were fortunate, because we were in Fort Lauderdale — my family lives in the Tampa bay area so we were able to rent a car to go see my family for Christmas,” Jones said. “We’ve seen a lot of families who are sleeping on the floor, and it just breaks my heart.”

Calls made Monday afternoon by CNN to Southwest’s customer service did not go through, so customers couldn’t even get in the queue to speak to a representative. Southwest told CNN it is “fully staffed to answer calls.”

The airline also says, “those whose flights have been canceled may request a full refund or receive a flight credit, which does not expire.”

If you’ve been left in the lurch and your efforts to reach a customer service agent are going nowhere, the founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights suggests trying an international number.

“The main hotline for US airlines will be clogged with other passengers getting rebooked. To get through to an agent quickly, call any one of the airline’s dozens of international offices,” Scott Keyes said.

“Agents can handle your reservation just like US-based ones can, but there’s virtually no wait to get through.”

Click here to get international numbers that Southwest has previously posted.

Southwest spokesperson: ‘Take care of yourself…keep your receipts’

A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines said the recent winter storm is to blame for the cascade of thousands of flight cancellations Monday and advanced cancellations Tuesday.

“As the storm continued to sweep across the country it continued to impact many of our larger stations and so the cancellations just compiled one after another to 100 to 150 to 1,000,” Jay McVay said in a press conference at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport on Monday night.

“With those cancellations and as a result, we end up with flight crews and airplanes that are out of place and not in the cities that they need to be in to continue to run our operations.”

McVay said that the company’s first priority right now is safety. “We want to make sure that we operate these flights safely and that we have the flight crews that have legal and sufficient time to operate these flights,” he stated.

“We will do everything that we need to do to right the challenges that we’ve had right now,” he said, including “hotels, ride assistance, vans … rental cars to try and make sure these folks get home as quickly as possible.”

He promised that all customers, even those who had already left the airport or made alternate arrangements on their own, would also be taken care of.

“If you’ve already left, take care of yourself, do what you need to do for your family, keep your receipts,” McVay relayed. “We will make sure they are taken care of, that is not a question.”

An announcement made in the terminal prior to the news conference apologized to customers, and said the next available SWA seats are on Saturday, December 31 and later. The agent said Southwest would be providing buses to area hotels and assured that “we will have sufficient rooms for all customers who are affected by this disruption.”

US government ‘concerned’ by cancellations

The US Department of Transportation issued a statement on Monday’s massive flight cancellations by Southwest Airlines, saying the agency is “concerned.”

“USDOT is concerned by Southwest’s unacceptable rate of cancellations and delays and reports of lack of prompt customer service. The Department will examine whether cancellations were controllable and if Southwest is complying with its customer service plan,” the agency tweeted.

Speaking to CNN on Tuesday, the vice president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, Capt. Mike Santoro, said the problems facing Southwest were the worst disruptions he’d experienced in 16 years at the airline.

He described last week’s storm as a catalyst that helped trigger major technical issues.

“What went wrong is that our IT infrastructure for scheduling software is vastly outdated,” he said. “It can’t handle the number of pilots, flight attendants that we have in the system, with our complex route network.

“We don’t have the normal hub the other major airlines do. We fly a point-to-point network which can put our crews in the wrong places, without airplanes.”

He added: “It is frustrating for the pilots, the flight attendants and especially our passengers. We are tired of apologizing for Southwest, the pilots in the airline, our hearts go out to all of the passengers, they really do.”

Santoro, who said his association had been pressing the airline for some time to solve its structural problems, complained that pilots had also been affected by the current disruption.

“We have, over 10,000 pilots, not all flying at the same time, but imagine everyone is in the wrong city, without hotel assignments, and trying to find hotels?”

In other developments

• In hard-hit western New York, Buffalo International Airport said in its most recent tweet that it does not plan to resume passenger flights before 11 a.m. ET Wednesday, pushing back the expected reopening by another 24 hours later than previously anticipated.

• Greyhound, the largest provider of intercity bus service, issued a service alert on Tuesday morning stating many of its scheduled services in the upper northeast continued to be disrupted until further notice due to winter weather. Affected cities include Buffalo, Cleveland and Syracuse.

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 (CNN) — It’s enough to give anyone already nervous about the chaos in the skies yet another reason to pop an antacid: the prospect of delayed, lost or damaged baggage.

The concern is valid. Especially when an epic winter storm sweeps across the land the week before Christmas. Handing over checked suitcases can almost feel like a leap of faith in circumstances like that.

Scott Keyes, the founder of flight deals and travel advice site Scott’s Cheap Flights, said he’s encouraging people not to let news of baggage issues put them off their flights and vacations.

“Every bag that gets lost is a huge disruption for the people whose bag that is — and I certainly don’t want to downplay that — but I do want folks to have the proper perspective that in the vast majority cases, your flight is going to fly and your checked bag is going to arrive,” he told CNN Travel.

In the meantime, you’re not totally powerless. There are things you can do and strategies you can take to help avoid or at least minimize the impact of lost and delayed luggage.

Before you go to the airport

Book nonstop flights: If you’re really concerned about your checked luggage, prioritize nonstop flights or at least layovers with a generous amount of time, Keyes said.

“Bags are most likely to get lost in that transfer between planes at connection, especially if there’s a tight connection.” And he said that’s doubly so for international flights with tight connections.

Consider discount airlines: He said full-service airlines are more likely to lose your bags than the discount airlines, which tend to have more nonstop flights that have a lower likelihood of losing a bag in transit.

Legacy airlines tend to have more connecting flights. Keyes said he wouldn’t make a booking decision based solely on this, but it’s “an interesting side factor to consider.”

Take pictures of your luggage and its contents: Jo Hoban, a travel agent in Spanish Fork, Utah, about 50 miles south of Salt Lake City, told CNN Travel that she advises her clients to “take a picture of their bags because the first things airline offices will ask you is what is the brand name of the bag, what is the color of the bag, the size of the bag and the contents of the bag.”

She also said people should lay out what they are planning to pack on the bed and take a picture of that, too. If the bag is lost, that helps create a content record.

Use baggage tracking: “Many airlines allow you to see the status of your bags in their apps, which can help give you peace of mind that your bag is on the flight with you — or at least give you insight into your bag’s location should it get delayed,” Scott’s Cheap Flights said in an email news release.

You can set up independent tracking yourself. Paula Twidale, senior vice president of travel for AAA, said one option is called AirTag, and it connects with an Apple device so you can track the tag’s location.

Properly ID your suitcases on the inside, too: The consumer advocate group Travelers United says put your info on the inside, too, in case your outside tag gets torn off. Hoban makes the same suggestion.

“I have had a bag taken off the carousel at the airport in Salt Lake [City]. Luckily, I knew the people who took my bag so it was easy to exchange it,” she said. “But again, what if I did not know those people? What if they were total strangers and got my bag home? Hopefully, they’re good, honest people and see that I have a name and phone number in the bag that they can call me and let me know the mistake.”

The power of carry-ons: The airlines can’t lose baggage you never check in. Twidale suggests packing as light as you can and use just carry-ons. You’ll save time leaving the airport and have more peace of mind.

Review your credit card coverage: Before you buy extra travel insurance, Keyes suggested you check your credit card policy for travel protection.

You might get supplemental compensation (for what the airlines don’t cover) not only for lost bags, but also for reimbursements for things you may need to buy while you’re waiting for your bag.

At the airport before you fly

Check your bags in a timely manner: Travelers United says last-minute baggage check-ins can lead to a greater chance of trouble.

“Don’t push the system. The smallest delay can have serious consequences when your luggage is cruising down the conveyor belt and selected for security examination with little time to spare,” its website says.

Work that phone camera again: Keyes suggested that just before handing over your checked suitcases, open them up and take a picture.

“If your bag does get lost, and you’ve got any valuables in there … having a photograph of what was in there is really going to bolster your case to get compensation after the fact.”

Check your baggage tag’s destination: Travelers United also advises you double-check your airline luggage tags and make sure they’re going to where you are going, especially if you’re doing curbside check-in. And the North Carolina Consumers Council reminds people to keep hold of their the baggage claim ticket or sticker.

If your baggage is delayed

Scope out other spots at the airport: If your suitcases aren’t on the designated pick-up carousel, The Points Guy travel advice website suggests checking nearby carousels and if you don’t see them there, try the airline’s baggage office. This is also a good time to put those aforementioned tracking apps to work.

Report your issue and fill out forms at the airport: If your bags haven’t shown up, let the airline know.

“Many times, airline personnel will explain that the luggage has been located but will be delayed until the next flight,” Travelers United says. “If you have the time, wait. If not, fill out the appropriate lost luggage forms at the airport.”

Let the airline deliver your bags: Keyes said if an airline can locate your suitcases but it’s going to be hours before they arrive, make sure the reps have the address where you’ll be and use the airline’s delivery service.

Keep receipts: “If you buy anything to get you through the days without your luggage — from a new swimsuit to toothpaste — keep the receipts. You may need these to get reimbursed,” Scott’s Cheap Flights advises.

If your luggage is lost

Check your airline’s claims and compensation policy: Each airline should have website information on what to do if your bag is lost. For example, this is Delta Air Lines’ page. This is American Airlines’ page. And this is Southwest Airlines’ page. And airlines based outside the United States have their own systems. This is what to do if flying British Airways.

If the airline isn’t being helpful: “If the airline is dragging its feet on compensation … don’t be afraid to complain to the Department of Transportation, Keyes said regarding US airlines. You can file a complaint here.

“They’ve got a special aviation enforcement office where they’re being much more pro-active about protecting consumers and trying to clamp down on airlines when they’re not providing customers with the type of compensation or reimbursement that they’re required to do under federal laws.”

For information of making claims for UK flights, click here. And check the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority’s site here. Get more information on Canadian flights here.

Liability limits: There’s fine print, exceptions and paperwork / documentation hurdles, but you can eventually get cash for your lost bags.

For US domestic flights, the maximum liability amount allowed by DOT regulation is $3,800. Airlines are free to pay more than the limit, but are not required to do so. For international flights, that figure is $1,780. Find out more from the DOT here.

Damaged bags: If you see your luggage is damaged while still at the airport, report it there. Airlines aren’t required to pay for damages to items caused by improper packing, according to the DOT, nor are they responsible for “certain categories of items (for example: fragile items, electronics, cash, perishable items …)”

They are liable for damage to wheels, handles and straps.

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(CNN) — Last week’s winter weather travel mess is lingering like a hangover into this week — and the headaches are migraine-proportioned for Southwest Airlines and its frustrated passengers on Monday.

More than 3,600 flights within, into or out of the US had already been canceled by 4:10 p.m. ET Monday, according to flight tracking website FlightAware, while almost 5,800 flights had been delayed.

But Southwest accounts for a whopping share of those. None of the other US carriers have canceled nearly as many flights or as much of their schedule as Southwest.

The Dallas-based airline had canceled roughly two-thirds of its flights — about 2,700 total — as of 4:10 p.m. Monday, according to FlightAware. At one point, it canceled around 300 flights in the span of a half hour Monday afternoon.

On social media, customers are complaining loudly about long lines to speak with representatives, problems with lost bags and excessive wait times or busy signals on the airline’s customer service telephone lines.

CNN’s Carlos Suarez spoke with frustrated passengers in line at the Southwest ticket counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday.

He’s reportedthat about 150 customers were waiting in a long line at one point to rebook, with the line snaking around the back of the ticket counter.

‘Disruptions across our network’

Southwest responded to the massive cancellations in an emailed statement Monday afternoon:

“With consecutive days of extreme winter weather across our network behind us, continuing challenges are impacting our Customers and Employees in a significant way that is unacceptable,” the statement read.

“We’re working with Safety at the forefront to urgently address wide-scale disruption by rebalancing the airline and repositioning Crews and our fleet ultimately to best serve all who plan to travel with us.

“On the other side of this, we’ll work to make things right for those we’ve let down, including our Employees.”

In an earlier statement to CNN on Monday, Southwest Airlines said it is “experiencing disruptions across our network as a result of (the winter storm’s) lingering effects on the totality of our operation.”

Some of the airports seeing the biggest issue are Denver, Las Vegas, Chicago Midway, Baltimore/Washington, and Dallas Love Field where Southwest operates.

Calls to Southwest’s customer service attempted Monday afternoon by CNN did not go through, so customers couldn’t even get in the queue to speak to a representative. Southwest told CNN it is “fully staffed to answer calls.”

The airline also says, “those whose flights have been canceled may request a full refund or receive a flight credit, which does not expire.”

A tweet from Southwest directing customers to self-service options had more than 870 replies — many of them angry — around 4:30 p.m. ET

One of the replies in part read: “Stop blaming the WEATHER! Had to buy a first class ticket on another airline but it TOOK OFF ON TIME! You still have our luggage with medication inside! Can’t get through on the phone!”

Meanwhile, in hard-hit western New York, Buffalo International Airport said in its most recent tweet that it plans to resume passenger flights at 11 a.m. ET Tuesday.

The temperature at the airport was 19 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 7 Celsius) around 4 p.m. ET, with light snow falling on top of the huge amounts the area has already seen.

What can stranded passengers do?

If you’ve been left in the lurch and your efforts to reach a customer service agent are going nowhere, the founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights suggests trying an international number.

“The main hotline for US airlines will be clogged with other passengers getting rebooked. To get through to an agent quickly, call any one of the airline’s dozens of international offices” Scott Keyes said.

“Agents can handle your reservation just like US-based ones can, but there’s virtually no wait to get through.”

Click here to get international numbers that Southwest has previously posted.

Any relief in sight?

It could be next week before this is all completely sorted out.

“When there’s more than 10,000 flight cancellations over the past week, it takes time for airlines to work through and reaccommodate the backlog of travelers,” Keyes told CNN Travel in an email.

“While it will depend on the weather forecast (which looks promising for much of the country) and what number of travelers wind up canceling their holiday plans, I’d expect that by next week, things will have largely returned to normal,” Keyes said.

And why are so many people having trouble rebooking?

“One complicating factor for people hoping to get reaccommodated is the fact that there are so few available seats this season,” Keyes said.

“That’s both because Christmas and New Year is one of the most popular times of year for travel, and because the number of flights on the schedule this year is still down 15-20%, making the challenge even steeper for those needing to get rebooked.”

Bad road conditions

Road travel remained treacherous in parts of the US because of extreme wintry conditions.

In New York state’s western Erie County, emergency restrictions on driving were lifted in some communities but remained in place in Buffalo, County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Monday.

“The City of Buffalo is impassable in most areas, while mains may have a lane open for emergency traffic or two, most secondaries as well as side streets have not been touched yet,” Poloncarz said.

He adding that the cleared main roads are primarily for the use of life-saving measures to open up areas around hospitals and nursing homes.

A rough past week

A winter storm that swept across the US was ill-timed for travelers who had started pushing Christmas week flying numbers back toward pre-pandemic levels.

On Christmas Day, there were 3,178 flights canceled and 6,870 flight delayed, according to FlightAware.

On Christmas Eve, there were a total of 3,487 flights canceled, according to FlightAware.

Friday was the worst day of this streak with 5,934 cancellations, while Thursday saw almost 2,700 cancellations.

This megablast of winter weather across the eastern two-thirds of the nation is forecast to slowly moderate this week.

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(CNN) — It has been a tough slog for some air travelers here at the winter holidays rush — and it may not be over soon.

Citing the spike in Omicron variant cases and in some cases bad weather, airlines have been canceling and delaying thousands of flights since December 23.

The trend continued into the early days of the new year, with thousands more flights canceled. As of 10 a.m. ET Tuesday, airlines had canceled more than 1,000 US flights after a winter storm hit Virginia and Washington, DC, hard.

Airlines continue to grapples with crews unavailable for work or stranded out of place, and several signaled the disruptions will persist.

While most flights are still proceeding, what if you’re one of the unlucky passengers? Here are some tips to help travelers navigate the system when flights are delayed or canceled whether by staff shortages, weather or other issues:

Avoid getting trapped at the airport

As bad as it is to find out your flight has been delayed for a long time, or worse, canceled, it’s better to find out from the comfort of home or a hotel room and make new arrangements from there.

“Check your flight status before you go the airport. Most of these notifications are not happening at the last minute,” said Scott Keyes, the founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights. “Save yourself the drive to the airport.”

Keyes told CNN Travel in an interview on Monday that you should sign up for airlines’ free text alerts on the status of flights when you buy your ticket. You should also download your carrier’s app.

You can also put your airline and flight number directly into a Google search bar to retrieve the status that way. That’s also handy for friends or family who are on standby to pick you up.

Keyes also suggested checking the website FlightAware to track larger flight trends across country.

If you’re at the airport already

Sometimes, the delays and cancellations happen after you’ve arrived at the airport. Once the bad news has been delivered, what should you do?

Keyes said to head fast as you can to the airline agents’ desk — and get ready to multitask while you’re in line.

Fast is a key word here. “It’s going to make a difference who arrives first. It’s first-come, first-serve. Positioning yourself close to the desk can pay off,” Keyes said.

Then call up your carrier while you’re waiting. Depending on your spot in line, it might be faster to get through to a call center. “Whatever happens first, great,” he said.

Calls to US domestic numbers might have really long waits. Keyes suggested trying an international call center for your carrier instead.

“Most US-based travelers aren’t thinking to call the Canadian help line for Delta. You might get through to an agent much quicker. They can all handle your reservations just the same.”

You can also use a self-serve kiosk, American Airlines says. “Scan your boarding pass or enter your record locator to see your updated trip details. From there you can also switch your flight and print your new boarding passes.”

Attitude and research matter

Whether you’re dealing with an agent in person or over the phone, how you approach things can make a big difference. That starts with attitude.

“Honey attracts more flies than vinegar,” Keyes said. “Look at this from the airline agents’ perspective. They’ve been dealing with irate customers really since the pandemic began. The agent is the one who has the most ability to help you.

“Asking nicely and sympathetically is far more likely to get what you want than being a jerk about it.”

He had another tip when it’s your turn to talk to an agent about making new arrangements: “Come prepared to offer your own options already. Doing your own research is absolutely helpful.”

Your agent can expedite things if you’ve already looked up new routes and possible suggestions while you’ve been waiting. Be ready to explain what you want.

If you’ve booked through Expedia or another third-party site, you’ll have to deal through them when there’s a cancellation.

If price is the same, Keyes suggested you book directly with the airline. In case something goes wrong, “it makes it much more complicated with multiple sets of policies” when you booked via a third party.

US PIRG, a consumer advocacy group, suggests you avoid layovers when booking if possible. The more times you stop, the more chances for something to go wrong.

The group also backs up the advice from Keyes to be nice and polite to agents but also says consumers should be persistent in trying to get the situation resolved satisfactorily.

Trapped for the night

What do you do if it looks like you’re not going to be able to fly out until the next day and you’re not in your home city?

“Ask the airline to put you up in a hotel or give you a hotel voucher. They might do it; they might not. It’s not required by law,” Keyes said.

They’re less likely to do it if it’s weather related, he said, than if the problem is a mechanical issue with the plane or staffing issues.

Keyes noted staffing is a big issue in this most recent wave of cancellations, with the spread of Omicron making employees unable to work. What you might get depends on the airline itself and the specific circumstances on why a flight was canceled.

Get to know policies. For instance, Delta Air Lines says it will provide a hotel voucher in some circumstances if travel is interrupted for more than four hours after the scheduled departure time when the delay is between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Whatever you do, at least ask, Keyes said. A voucher for hotels and even ground transport and meals aren’t likely to just be offered.

You should also look up your credit card information. Keyes said your card might have passenger protections, including free hotel rooms if you’re stranded and perhaps even cover your food and taxi to the hotel. Look up what do you need to do to get reimbursed.

If your flight is delayed instead of outright canceled, you might want to weigh whether to wait at the airport. Depending your personal circumstances, hunkering down there for five or six hours might be easier than going to and from a hotel. Also, Keyes said, check whether there is a hotel within the airport.

The Points Guy advises trying to get into an airport lounge if you can, where you can recharge your phone and rest more easily.

Cancel your trip and fly later

“If you are scheduled to fly in the next week and worried about Omicron, airlines are offering free changes to your flight,” Keyes said. “If you’d like to switch your travel dates, you can change without penalty.”

He also noted that if the new travel dates are cheaper, you can get a travel credit. (Conversely, you’ll pay more if the flight is more expensive.)

“By switching a flight from the holidays to February, you’re less likely to encounter this Omicron situation. You might save yourself a couple of hundred of bucks.”

Refund entitlements for your flight

The US Department of Transportation says you are entitled to a refund of your ticket cost because of a cancellation or “significant delay” and you choose not to travel.

This is the policy regardless of the reason the airlines cancels or delays the flight. However, what “significant delay” remains open to interpretation.

According to the DOT website, “it has not specifically defined what constitutes a ‘significant delay.’ Whether you are entitled to a refund depends on many factors — including the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances. DOT determines whether you are entitled to a refund following a significant delay on a case-by-case basis.”

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Just when we thought US travel rules were starting to stabilize, along comes Omicron.

The dominoes fell quickly after South African health authorities informed the world of their discovery of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in late November.

The Biden administration rolled out controversial travel bans on arrivals from eight nations in southern Africa. Travelers found themselves unexpectedly stranded. And now US officials have said they will be tightening travel regulations again.

Things are changing by the day and even by the hour, but here are some of the questions people have about US travel rules — and answers we have as of December 2:

Are testing rules for entry into the US changing?

Yes, according to President Joe Biden’s announcement on Thursday of new measures aimed at curbing the pandemic.

All inbound international travelers will soon be required to test within one day of departure for the United States.

This new time frame will apply to everyone, “regardless of nationality or vaccination status,” the plan outlined on the White House website says.

According to the plan posted, the tightening of the testing protocol will happen “early next week.”

Currently, vaccinated travelers are required to test within three days of their departure. There is a requirement for foreign travelers arriving in the United States to be fully vaccinated.

Unvaccinated Americans and legal permanent residents are allowed to enter the country with a test taken within one day of departing for the United States. The new rule will make the testing time frame one day for everyone.

Biden also announced that the federal mask mandate requiring travelers to wear masks in airports, on planes and on other modes of public transportation such as trains and buses has been extended through March 18.

Is there a post-arrival testing or quarantine requirement?

There is not. “We’re not announcing any steps on post-arrival testing and quarantine,” a senior administration official said in a press briefing on Wednesday evening.

“I will say — look, if additional measures are recommended, if additional measures can be implemented well and are effective, we won’t hesitate to take them, but we’re not taking them today,” the official said, according to a White House transcript of that briefing.

What countries fall under the new US travel ban?

The travel bans announced on November 26 bar entry into the US of noncitizens coming from eight countries in southern Africa. They are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

On November 27, the CDC placed them all at Level 4 “very high” risk for Covid-19. (Botswana was already at Level 4 because of its caseload — more than 500 per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days.)

Citizens of those nations and citizens of other nations who have been traveling there in the past 14 days are currently not allowed entry into the United States.

Can US citizens already in those nations return?

Yes they can.

Per the White House proclamation, the CDC says that “citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States, certain family members, and other individuals who meet specified exceptions, who have been in one of the countries listed above in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter the United States.“

As of December 2, they still had to follow the rules already in place to re-enter: A negative result from a Covid-19 test within three days of travel if fully vaccinated and within one day of travel if unvaccinated.

Can US citizens still travel to the banned nations?

Technically, yes.

At least two US carriers are still flying back and forth from South Africa. Delta Air Lines is still offering Atlanta-Johannesburg service, and United Airlines is still offering Newark-Johannesburg service.

United Airlines is also resuming nonstop service between Newark and Cape Town, according to a news release from South African Tourism. The release also said, “we would like to emphasize that our country remains open for all those travelers who wish to visit.”

Whether it’s advisable to go is another matter. The CDC advises against it.

You might also encounter new travel barriers. For instance, Zimbabwe imposed a lockdown and mandatory quarantine on Tuesday, November 30, for travelers, state-run news agency NewZiana reported.

Going to southern African nations while bans are in place around the world might cause you to be banned from going to other countries. For instance, the United Kingdom is not allowing anyone who has been to “red list “countries — which include Angola and Zambia as well as the eight discussed above — from entering except its own returning citizens.

Argentina, Canada, Italy and other nations also have put bans in place, each with their own specific parameters.

What is the US doing to detect the virus?

The CDC said it would expand Omicron surveillance at four major US international airports.

The CDC also confirmed to CNN on Wednesday that officials have directed airlines carrying passengers that have been to certain southern African nations to share those passengers’ contact information with the agency.

Airlines have already been gathering contact information from passengers under a CDC contact tracing order that has been in effect since November 8.

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Eight nations in southern Africa — seven new ones plus one holdover — are listed at the CDC’s highest travel risk level for Covid-19. The countries are under various travel bans worldwide because of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention placed seven of those nations at Level 4 (highest travel risk) on November 27, a day after President Joe Biden made his proclamation on the travel ban.

Those destinations are:

• Eswatini
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• South Africa
• Zimbabwe

An eighth nation in that group — Botswana — had already been at a Level 4 travel warning since July 6.

Typically, the CDC places a destination at Level 4 when more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents are registered in the past 28 days. That’s what happened to Germany and Denmark on the November 22 update.

However, the southern African nations were added to Level 4 and put on Biden’s travel ban because of Omicron, not their case numbers.

“The travel restrictions were implemented due to concerns about the Omicron variant, and unknowns surrounding the variant,” the CDC said in an email to CNN Travel on Monday afternoon. “There is enough evidence to act to restrict travel and slow the spread of the variant, while still learning more about the degree of threat posed by this variant.”

The other CDC risk levels:

Level 1 is “low risk” with fewer than 50 new cases per 100,000 residents logged over the past 28 days.

Level 2 is “moderate risk” with 50 to 99 new cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days.

Level 3 is “high risk” with 100 to 500 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days.

Before the news of the Omicron variant swept the world, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe were at Level 1. Namibia was at Level 2, and Lesotho was at Level 3.

Those southern African nations were the only changes in the CDC’s November 27 update prompted by Omicron. Because of the holiday period, the CDC said it did not have another update for Monday but will update its list later in the week.

Other nations on Level 4

The eight destinations in southern Africa are hardly alone on Level 4. Before the Omicron alarm rang late last week, much of the Covid-19 focus had been on a surge of cases in Europe.

Some of the popular tourist destinations in Europe — and elsewhere in the world — still at Level 4 on Monday included:

• Austria
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Costa Rica
• Czech Republic
• Iceland
• Netherlands
• Singapore
• Switzerland
• Turkey

In all, more than 80 destinations are now at Level 4.

Should I stay or should I go?

A question on many of our minds: How should I be thinking about Omicron in terms of travel safety?

There’s still a lot scientists don’t yet know about the new coronavirus variant, but the best thing anyone can do right now is to get vaccinated, according to Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Getting vaccinated is essential for two reasons, he said.

The first is the Delta variant. “That’s the virus that’s here, right now, in each and every community, spreading,” Schaffner said. “But No. 2, and this has to do with Omicron, it is likely that our vaccines will provide at least partial protection. And partial protection is always better than no protection.”

The other essential safety measure is still wearing a mask when you’re out in public.

Schaffner’s advice on traveling is largely the same as it was before the discovery of the new variant.

Make sure you’re vaccinated, wear a mask, socially distance as much as possible while you’re traveling and carefully consider what you’re going to do when you get there, which likely puts you at greater risk than the journey itself.

Level 3 entries

The Level 3 category had five updates last week, with a big showing in the Caribbean. These five destinations moved to Level 3 on November 22:

• Aruba
• Curaçao
• Guadeloupe
• Israel
• US Virgin Islands

The move was actually good news for all five destinations, which had been at Level 4. You can view the CDC’s risk levels for global destinations on its travel recommendations page.

In its broader travel guidance, the CDC has recommended avoiding all international travel until you are fully vaccinated.

“Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread Covid-19. However, international travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some Covid-19 variants,” the agency said.

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This more transmissible variation of the coronavirus was first detected in India in February, just when the United States and some other places around the world were starting to gear up their vaccination efforts. It turned out to be a race against time: shots in arms vs. Delta’s spread.

Delta infections are climbing as we enter August, particularly among the unvaccinated. Just like all other waves of the pandemic, travel feels the Covid impact quick and hard.

From the latest travel news to recent Google searches on the topic in the past few days, it’s clear the Delta variant is causing increasing worry and disruptions for governments and would-be travelers. Here’s a quick round-up:

UK green list update

The entire world seems to have the United Kingdom on its collective hive mind. In the past 24 hours, worldwide searches for various terms surrounding the United Kingdom’s “green list” have risen anywhere from 450% to 200%.

The official announcement is to come Thursday, August 5, that Austria, Germany, Latvia, Norway Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia will be added to the green list.

A traffic light-based travel system — red, amber and green — is in place in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Non-UK residents from red list countries are currently refused entry to the UK. British residents arriving home from red list destinations must undergo a 10-day hotel quarantine at their own expense.

You can read England’s list here. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have their own rules but tend to follow suit. You can click links on the England site to see the latest from those places.

You can also read CNN’s guide to Unlocking the UK here, updated weekly.

As of August 4, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had a warning of “Level 4: Very High Level of Covid-19” for the UK. Level 4 is its highest level and advises avoiding travel.

Mexico wants to know about a neighbor

Meanwhile, Mexicans are more interested in travel restrictions to Costa Rica, a favorite of tourists in Central America.

The is one nation not yet putting up any barriers because of Delta: As of August 4, tourists from any country can still visit and arrive via air, land or sea (but only on yachts and sailboats in specific ports). There aren’t even any Covid-19 tests or quarantines in place. But you are still required to fill out a health pass.

You can find out more at the Visit Costa Rica website and CNN’s guide to Unlocking Costa Rica.

As of August 4, the CDC had a warning of “Level 4: Very High Level of Covid-19” for Costa Rica.

New York City: Get vaccinated for the full experience

New York City, on the other hand, is responding to rising cases of the Delta variant in the United States. It’s keeping out the welcome mat to tourists, but they’ll find more rules to follow soon.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced August 3 that vaccines will be mandated for employees and patrons of New York’s indoor dining, fitness and entertainment venues.

The “Key to NYC pass” will launch August 16 and begin being enforced September 13, he said. Final details of the program are expected to be announced the week of August 16.

Discover more at CNN’s guide to Unlocking New York City.

Chicago responds to the Delta variant

While the state of Illinois has no travel restrictions, the city of Chicago does.

Chicago has a separate system that advises Covid-19 testing or quarantine if the unvaccinated visitor comes from a state with a significant infection rate.

As of August 3, there were 19 states and two US territories on the “orange list” that asks for testing or quarantine. Some of the states falling into the orange category included Georgia, Florida, Texas and Missouri.

See all the states and details on Chicago’s travel advisory site.

China cracks down again

Your dreams of seeing the Great Wall and other sites of China soon will most likely have to be postponed.

Because of the Delta variant, China is grappling with its worst Covid-19 outbreak in months. The country now has 144 medium- and high-risk areas, the most since the initial outbreak in early 2020, the National Health Commission said Wednesday.

Chinese immigration authorities have vowed to “strictly restrict non-urgent, unnecessary cross-border travel,” including tightening the issuing of passports for Chinese citizens.

The speed and scale of the spread has also spurred mass domestic travel restrictions, with all inter-city coach, taxi and online car hailing services suspended in medium- and high-risk areas.

Find out more from CNN’s Nectar Yan here.

As of August 4, the CDC had warning of “Level 1: Low Level of Covid-19” for China, but that could possibly change soon given the latest reports.

More destinations moved to Level 4 this week

On Monday, the CDC added 16 destinations to its “very high” Covid-19 risk level, including Greece, Ireland and the US Virgin Islands. In its overarching guidance, the CDC recommends against all international travel until you are fully vaccinated. You can find out the other 13 new “very high” risk destinations here.

Other popular destinations that were already on Level 4 before Monday’s announcement included Brazil, the Maldives, Portugal, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.

You can look up the CDC’s risk level of any destination on its travel recommendations page.

Highlights from the previous week

— US restrictions to stay in place: On July 26, the White House decided to keep existing coronavirus travel restrictions in place, press secretary Jen Psaki said.

“We will maintain existing travel restrictions at this point for a few reasons. The more transmissible Delta variant is spreading both here and around the world,” Psaki told reporters. “Driven by the Delta variant, cases are rising here at home, particularly among those who are unvaccinated and appear likely to continue in the weeks ahead.”

People who have been in Brazil, China, the European Schengen Area, Iran, India, Ireland, South Africa and the United Kingdom in the past 14 days are denied entry to the United States.

— Search interest in Mexico: Google searches for this popular destination have been high. Mexico has been — and continues to be — one of the easiest countries to visit.

Its land border with the United States has been closed for well more than a year now, but air traffic has been flowing in from all over the world. You don’t even have to provide a negative PCR test result or quarantine on arrival. Mexico was at “Level 3: High” on the CDC’s advisory list.

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US passport holders have more international travel options now than at any point during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Total US cases have passed the 33.7 million mark since the pandemic started, but the rate of new cases is far below the winter peak. The United States is one of the world leaders in vaccination rates and has been leading among nations with a population over 100 million. But we’re not out of the woods.

The Delta variant is a concern. Some nations are still overwhelmed by Covid. And the vaccination rate lags in some US states.

Still, more and more of Europe is opening up to US leisure travelers in time for summer — especially the fully vaccinated. Germany and Austria are just two of the latest to open their doors. The global situation is in flux, though. Even as some places reopen for the first time, others are closing back up.

In the end, it’s up to you to decide whether travel to international destinations is a good idea. The health risks are obvious if you’re not fully vaccinated. Nations might change their rules at any time. You may have to adhere to strict curfews and mask mandates. Violations could involve big fines and even jail time.

If you want expert input into your decision, the US State Department and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention provide Covid-19 risk assessments by country. Both agencies rate many of the countries open to US travelers at Level 4, the highest risk for Covid-19. Also, remember that all air passengers 2 and older must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test that’s no more than three days old to enter the United States.

List of nations

What follows is an alphabetical list of countries and territories where it’s still possible for US passport holders to go for a vacation. Click the links at the end of each destination for important information on:

— Presenting negative results from Covid-19 tests to enter (including time limits to take the test, types of tests allowed and additional tests upon arrival).
— Quarantines (if any) and health screenings.
— Possible exemptions from the rules for the fully vaccinated, people recovered from a recent case of Covid-19 or children.
— Health insurance requirements, curfews and lockdowns.

These are all things you need to research before you book your trip. People testing positive for Covid-19 upon arrival or while visiting can expect to go into quarantine. Rules for land entry may be different.

Albania

Blessed with a gorgeous Adriatic Sea coastline, this southeastern European country has no test requirements or quarantine. US Embassy.

Anguilla

This upscale British island in the Eastern Caribbean has reopened. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. US Embassy | Anguilla International Travelers.

Antigua and Barbuda

This independent nation in the eastern Caribbean, known for sheltered bays and historical sites, is open. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. US Embassy | Antigua and Barbuda government website.

Armenia

From the historic capital of Yerevan to wild national parks, Armenia is open to US tourists. Testing required; quarantines in some circumstances. US Embassy | Armenia’s official Covid-19 travel website.

Aruba

Scroll down to the Dutch Caribbean entry below for information on Aruba and other islands in this group.

Austria

UPDATE: US citizens can now visit this Alpine nation renowned for its culture and food. Testing required to enter unless fully vaccinated or proof of past infection. No quarantine if coming from low-risk nation. US Embassy | Austria Entry Requirements.

The Bahamas

Off the coast of Florida, this large chain of islands is loved for its many beaches. Testing required; exemptions for the fully vaccinated. No quarantine in place. US Embassy | Bahamas travel website | Bahamas Travel Health Visa.

Bangladesh

On offer: beaches, interesting architecture and cultural experiences. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. US Embassy.

Barbados

This British island, the most easterly one in the Caribbean, is set to become an independent republic later in 2021. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. US Embassy | Visit Barbados website | Rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers | BIMSafe travel app

Belgium

UPDATE: Home to historic Bruges and busy Brussels, Belgium is now open. No testing required for citizens of the US, currently labeled as a “green zone” nation; no quarantine unless arriving from a “red zone” nation. US Embassy | Belgium Embassy | Belgium color codes for nations | Passenger Locator Form

Belize

English is spoken in this Central American nation filled with wildlife spotting opportunities and stunning barrier reefs. Testing required; fully vaccinated exempt. No quarantine in place. US Embassy | Belize Tourism Board.

Bermuda

This island in the mid-Atlantic is renowned for its pink beaches and British flair. Testing and quarantine requirement are in place. US Embassy | Bermuda Tourism Authority | Specific instructions for immunized travelers.

Bolivia

This landlocked South American country offers surreal landscapes from Andean to jungle. Testing and quarantine requirements in place. US Embassy.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

UPDATE: Bosnia and Herzegovina features cosmopolitan Sarajevo and gorgeous lakes. Testing required with exemptions for fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid. No quarantine in place. US Embassy | Bosnia Border Police

Botswana

UPDATE: This southern African nation is famed for its wildlife in the Okavango Delta and elsewhere. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy.

Brazil

South America’s largest country has the lure of Rio’s party atmosphere and the Amazon River’s mystique. It also has a very high daily number of Covid-19 cases. Testing required; quarantines are not. US Embassy | Health declaration.

British Virgin Islands

UPDATE: This pretty island group lies just to the east of the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place; exemptions for fully vaccinated. US Embassy | BVI government website | BVI Gateway website.

Bulgaria

Historic towns and natural landscapes are Bulgaria’s calling cards. Testing required; exemptions for fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 infection. No quarantine. US Embassy.

Colombia

UPDATE: Colombia offers Medellin, “the city of eternal spring,” and lush landscapes throughout. No testing or quarantine required. US Embassy | Colombia’s travel website.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s rich wildlife and beautiful landscapes draw visitors. No testing or quarantines are required. US Embassy | Visit Costa Rica website | Health pass form | Costa Rica health insurance.

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Côte d’Ivoire is a popular destination for people wanting to enjoy West African culture and food. Testing required; quarantine encouraged but not required. US Embassy | Travel declaration and fee.

Croatia

Croatia, the jewel of the Adriatic, is once again open to US leisure travelers. Testing required to enter; exemptions for the fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 infection. No standard quarantine in place. US Embassy | Croatia official entry form.

Cyprus

Both parts of this politically divided Mediterranean island are open to US tourists. The Republic of Cyprus and the northern third of the island administered by Turkish Cypriots (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) each have their own rules of entry and testing. US Embassy in Nicosia | Visit Cyprus.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic — home to enchanting Prague — has reopened to US citizens. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy | Czech Ministry of the Interior | Passenger Locator Form.

Denmark

UPDATE: Often at the top of “happiest countries” lists, Denmark now accepts US travelers. Testing required; exemption for fully vaccinated. Quarantine is not required. Different rules for Greenland and Faroe Islands. US Embassy | Denmark tourist information.

Dominica

This rugged Eastern Caribbean island with deep valleys and 365 rivers has testing and quarantine requirements. US Embassy | Discover Dominica | Online registration portal.

Dominican Republic

This Caribbean nation, popular for its resorts and beaches, doesn’t require tests or quarantines. US Embassy | GoDominicanRepublic.com | Electronic entry and exit form.

Dubai

Scroll down to the United Arab Emirates entry below.

Dutch Caribbean islands

Find out the important details on these various Dutch islands in the Caribbean — renowned for their hospitality and ocean life — by clicking on the links:

Aruba: Testing required. No quarantine. Aruba’s official tourism site | embarkation and disembarkation card | Aruba Visitors Insurance.

Bonaire: Testing required. No quarantine. Bonaire Crisis | Health declaration form.

Curaçao: Testing required. No quarantine. Traveling to Curaçao | Curaçao news bulletins | Passenger locator card.

Saba: Known more for its rugged landscape and hiking than beaches, little Saba is open. Testing required. Quarantine in place; exemption for fully vaccinated. Saba Tourism | Saba EHAS application.

Sint Maarten: An autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it shares an island with the French collectivity of Saint-Martin. Testing required. No quarantine. Sint Maarten | Health authorization application | Covid-19 health insurance.

Get more US consulate information on all of these islands here.

Ecuador

This Andean country at the equator also owns the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific. Testing required; fully vaccinated exempted. Quarantine required in some circumstances. US Embassy.

Egypt

The Nile River nation has been attracting people to see its wonders since antiquity. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy.

Estonia

This quaint Baltic nation is now open to Americans. No testing required. Quarantine is in place, but with exceptions. US Embassy | Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a unique and ancient culture and rugged, otherworldly landscapes. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. Before you travel there, closely monitor news reports about violence in the northern Tigray region on the border with Eritrea. US Embassy.

France

UPDATE: US leisure travelers may enter France. Testing required unless fully vaccinated. No quarantine for US visitors. US Embassy | French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

French Polynesia

UPDATE: French Polynesia is the idealized South Pacific destination. US leisure travelers can enter if fully vaccinated. Testing required; quarantine is not. Islands of Tahiti | FAQ document | Online ETIS form.

Georgia

Georgia is a geographical and cultural crossroads at the Caucasus Mountains. Testing required unless you’re fully vaccinated. No self-isolation for the unvaccinated under certain conditions. US Embassy | Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Germany

UPDATE: From edgy Berlin to picturesque Bavaria, Germany is now open. Testing required; exemption for fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid. Quarantine depends on vaccination status and nation from which you’ve arrived. US Embassy | German Missions in the US

Ghana

This West African cultural jewel offers historical sites, delicious food and surfing. Testing required. No quarantine. US Embassy.

Greece

Greece, with its many ancient ruins and islands, is now open to US travelers. Testing required; exception for the fully vaccinated. No quarantine. US Embassy | Passenger locator form.

Grenada

This Caribbean island with lush rainforests is welcoming US visitors. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. US Embassy | Grenada’s Ministry of Health | Travel authorization application.

Guatemala

This Central American country offers historical sites and stunning volcano landscapes. Testing required; exceptions for the fully vaccinated or those fully recovered from Covid-19. No quarantine. US Embassy | Online health pass.

Honduras

Honduras has epic diving off Roatan Island and other locations. Testing required; fully vaccinated travelers are exempt. Conditional quarantine in some circumstances. US Embassy | Online precheck form.

Iceland

Geysers, glaciers, hot springs and waterfalls await in Iceland. You must be fully vaccinated or have proof of recovery from Covid-19 to enter. Testing and quarantine requirements in place as well. US Embassy | Iceland travel registration.

Ireland

Leisure travel to Ireland is discouraged but not forbidden. Testing and quarantine requirements in place. US Embassy | Irish government travel page | Passenger locator form.

Israel

From ancient Jerusalem to modern Tel Aviv, Israel now allows US tourists. Testing required. Quarantine in place for those not fully vaccinated or recovered from a case of Covid-19. You should keep a close watch on developments as you plan your trip regarding the recent conflict between Israel and Gaza. US Embassy | Israel Ministry of Health.

Italy

UPDATE: US travelers can finally return to Rome, Venice and the rest of the country. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place if you do not have a “green pass.” US Embassy | Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Jamaica

Jamaica’s music, laid-back vibe, beaches and food draw visitors. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. US Embassy in Jamaica | Visit Jamaica website | Online travel authorization form.

Jordan

Home to the amazing ruins of Petra, Dead Sea coastline and the dazzling landscape of the Wadi Rum, Jordan is open to US vacationers. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy.

Kenya

Kenya is the definitive African safari destination, but Nairobi’s urban beat attracts tourists too. Testing required; no quarantine. US Embassy | Trusted Travel initiative.

Latvia

Latvia — with a walkable capital city, Art Nouveau architecture and surprising wildlife — is open. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy.

Liechtenstein

This tiny nation is open. Scroll to Switzerland below for details.

Lithuania

This Baltic nation is made for history buffs and is open to fully vaccinated Americans only. No testing or quarantine. US Embassy.

Luxembourg

NEW: US citizens can visit. Testing required to enter; exemptions for fully vaccinated or proof of Covid recovery. No quarantine in place. US Embassy.

The Maldives

These Indian Ocean islands are a favorite among luxury travelers. Testing is required, including for vaccinated travelers. No mandatory quarantine. US Embassy | Maldives’ official tourism website.

Malta

These sun-soaked Mediterranean islands are open to US citizens under certain restrictive conditions, including which state you come from. US Embassy | Public Health Travel Declaration and the Passenger Locator forms.

Mexico

The land border between the US and Mexico remains closed through at least July 21, but US travelers can still fly there. No testing or quarantine requirements are in place. The US State Department lists numerous states to avoid because of crime. US Embassy.

Monaco

US jet-setters can visit the Mediterranean city-state if they are fully vaccinated. Testing also required. Embassy of Monaco.

Montenegro

UPDATE: This Balkan nation is allowing US travelers. Testing waived in some circumstances; exceptions also made for the fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 illness. No quarantine. US Embassy | Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.

Morocco

This North African favorite is now open leisure travelers from the United States without special invitations. Testing required, but no quarantines in place. US Embassy | Visit Morocco.

Namibia

US citizens can visit this southern African desert nation that appeals to adventure travelers. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy.

Nepal

UPDATE: US travelers can visit the landlocked Himalayan nation. Testing required; fully vaccinated exempt. Quarantine requirements in place, regardless of vaccination status. US Embassy.

Netherlands

US travelers can now visit Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands. No testing or quarantine is required as the US is deemed a safe country US Embassy | Government of Netherlands

Nicaragua

Home to historical sites such as Granada and tropical beaches, Nicaragua is open. Testing required; quarantines are not. US Embassy | Avianca Airlines.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia has a part Balkan, part Mediterranean feel and its natural wonders are relatively unknown. No testing or quarantine required. US Embassy | TAV Macedonia.

Panama

Wildlife, beaches, mountain towns and a canal are Panama’s calling cards. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy | Visit Panama | Online health affidavit.

Peru

Peru offers up Incan history, mind-blowing scenery and delicious food. Testing required; quarantine is conditional. US Embassy | Lima airport protocols | Affidavit of health.

Poland

US passport holders can now see Krakow and Poland’s other wonders. No testing is required, but quarantine is. US Embassy.

Portugal

UPDATE: Portugal is open to US citizens through July 11. The measure will be reviewed every two weeks and expires unless renewed. Testing is required; quarantine is a possibility. US Embassy.

Romania

Romania offers mystique, wooded and mountainous landscapes and lots of history. No testing required. Quarantine in place with exceptions for fully vaccinated and those recovered from Covid-19. US Embassy | Romanian Embassy.

Rwanda

Rwanda’s green hills and mountains are home to rare gorillas. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. US Embassy | Visit Rwanda.

Saudi Arabia

This desert wonderland is now open. Testing required. Quarantine depends on vaccination status. US Embassy | Health Disclaimer.

Senegal

Senegal, known for its West African beaches and music, welcomes US tourists. Testing is required; no quarantine in place. US Embassy.

Serbia

Serbia is steeped in historical sites and dramatic Eastern European scenery. Testing is required but quarantines are not. US Embassy.

Seychelles

These picture-perfect Indian Ocean islands way off the east coast of Africa are open. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy | Seychelles Travel Advisory Updates | Travel authorization

Slovenia

This European nation of gorgeous lakes is open only to the fully vaccinated or those recovered from Covid-19. No testing or quarantine required. US Embassy.

South Africa

With superb national parks, wineries and the allure of Cape Town, one of the most popular destinations in Africa is open. Testing is required; quarantine is not. Be aware some nations aren’t allowing entry to tourists who have recently been to South Africa. US Embassy.

South Korea

From busy Seoul to relaxing Jeju Island, South Korea is open. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. US Embassy | Self-diagnosis app

Spain

UPDATE: Spain is now open to US leisure travelers who are fully vaccinated. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy | Spain Travel Health portal | Spain travel FAQs

St. Barts

UPDATE: After an extended closure, this French island is open again. Testing required; fully vaccinated exempt from quarantine. St. Barts entry protocols

St. Kitts and Nevis

UPDATE: This Caribbean escape allows only fully vaccinated tourists to visit. Age exemptions for children 17 and younger traveling with vaccinated parents. Quarantine required. US Embassy | St. Kitts Tourism | Travel authorization form.

St. Lucia

UPDATE: Home of the steep and towering Pitons, waterfalls and volcanic beaches, the independent Caribbean nation of St. Lucia is open. Testing required. Quarantine for nonvaccinated travelers outside Caribbean travel bubble. US Embassy | St. Lucia travel website.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The Caribbean nation is open. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. US Embassy | Covid-19 protocol documents | Official prearrival form.

Sweden

NEW: This Scandinavian country is open to US citizens. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy | Swedish Police Authority.

Switzerland

The country’s famed Alps are once again open to Americans. Testing required with exemptions for the fully vaccinated or those recovered from Covid-19. US Embassy | Swiss Travel Check.

Tanzania

A favorite for big-game safaris, Indian Ocean beaches and Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania is open. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy | Health surveillance form.

Thailand

US passport holders can again visit this fascinating Southeast Asian destination famed for its beautiful beaches and spicy cuisine. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. US Embassy | Royal Thai Embassy | Certificate of entry.

Tunisia

UPDATE: Tunisia offers ancient ruins, desert scenery and sunny Mediterranean beaches. Testing and quarantine requirements in place. Exemptions for the fully vaccinated have been suspended. US Embassy | Online questionnaire.

Turkey

From cosmopolitan Istanbul to rural coastal escapes, Turkey is open. Testing is required; quarantine is not. US Embassy | Form for entry.

Turks and Caicos

This British overseas territory northeast of Cuba and southeast of the Bahamas is known for it coral reefs, ripsaw music and low-key vibe. Testing is required; quarantine is not. Details and updates: US Embassy | Visit Turks and Caicos | Travel authorization form.

Uganda

This lush nation in Central Africa offers gorilla trekking, Nile River rafting and beautiful lakes. Testing required; quarantine is not. US Embassy.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE, with its glittering towers and luxury resorts, has emerged as a major world destination in the 21st century. Testing required. Quarantine protocols depend on the emirate. US Embassy.

United Kingdom

Leisure travel to the UK is open. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. Rules may vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. US Embassy | UK government | Declaration form.

Zambia

Known for Victoria Falls and wildlife, Zambia is allowing visitors. Testing and quarantine requirements are in place. US Embassy.

Recently removed from the open list

The following countries had been allowing US citizens to enter but have closed again or were removed by CNN Travel for other reasons:

— Cambodia: The US Embassy reports the Southeast Asian nation has stopped issuing tourist visas; you can still apply for business-linked visas.
— Chile: It has closed its borders to almost all tourists through July 25.
— Sri Lanka: CNN awaits further information before returning this nation to the open list.

Omitted countries

This is a curated list and not a full listing. CNN Travel has omitted certain open countries if they had very limited numbers of US travelers before the pandemic; have ongoing or recent armed conflicts, terrorism or rampant crime and unrest; or have entry requirements so extensive and complicated that they put the country out of reach of almost all US citizens. However, you can click here to check for the status and entry requirements of any country or territory in the world you wish to visit.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

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Total cases of Covid-19 have reached around the 32.9 million mark in the United States. Though some states continue to enforce travel restrictions and quarantines, in general more states have been moving toward looser restrictions or none at all in the past couple of months. The situation remain in flux, though.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still warns against nonessential travel for people who are not fully vaccinated. Travel is a big exception for the new mask guidance that came out May 13 for vaccinated people, and the airline industry says it will continue to strictly enforce mask use for now.

On April 2, the CDC released new guidance for domestic travelers who have been fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine. Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to self-quarantine, and they don’t need to test negative before or after their travels unless the destination requires it. States that still have travel restrictions may have exceptions for fully vaccinated travelers — check the details before you go.

If you do decide to travel to another state, it is vital that you stay updated on the latest statewide regulations. All their official websites have important Covid-19 safety information. This list is alphabetical and includes links to state websites:

Alabama

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Alabama. You can check here for updates.

Alaska

Visitors to Alaska are no longer required to have a negative result from a Covid-19 test to enter, though voluntary testing within 72 hours of arrival is still highly recommended. You’re requested to upload results to the Alaska Safe Travels portal. You can also test for free upon arrival. Fully vaccinated travelers are not asked to test or self-quarantine. Airport testing remains available. Starting June 1, all travelers to Alaska at participating airports will be able to get a free Covid-19 vaccine.

You can read this PDF file from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services on testing recommendations and procedures. More information: State of Alaska.

Arizona

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Arizona. Check here for updates. Here’s a direct link for information on Native American lands in the state. And you can click here to see the status of specific tourist sites.

Arkansas

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Arkansas. Check here for updates.

California

Almost all of California is open to out-of-state visitors again. People are encouraged but not required to self-quarantine upon entering the state. All restrictions except those on conventions of more than 5,000 people are expected to be lifted by June 15. Would-be visitors are advised by the state to call ahead for possible local restrictions, and you can click here to find out local travel information. You can check here for updates on California more generally.

Colorado

As of May 15, there were no travel restrictions in Colorado. You can check here for general updates about the state. You can click here for regional information about what’s open.

Connecticut

Connecticut no longer has travel restrictions. Covid-19 tests and quarantines are now just recommended but not required. Travelers are asked to follow CDC travel guidelines. Please check here for updates and details.

Delaware

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Delaware. Check here for updates.

Florida

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Florida. Check here for updates.

Georgia

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Georgia. Check here for updates.

Hawaii

Hawaii has had an evolving set of travel requirements. You should read them thoroughly before you plan a trip and check often for updates.

Travelers 5 and older who want to bypass the 10-day mandatory quarantine must have their negative Covid-19 test results — from a trusted testing partner — taken within 72 hours of the final leg of departure. You must upload your negative test result to the Safe Travels system before you leave or, as an alternative to uploading, bring a hard copy of a negative test result before boarding your flight. For more information, check here.

Idaho

As of May 15, there are no statewide travel restrictions in Idaho. Check here for updates.

Illinois

As of May 15, there were no statewide restrictions in Illinois, but visitors heading to Chicago have been placed in two categories — orange and yellow. People from an orange state must quarantine for 10 days unless they have a negative Covid-19 test result no more than 72 hours old or have been vaccinated and meet inoculation guidelines. Travelers coming from a yellow state do not need to quarantine or take a prearrival test, but they are asked to wear a mask and social distance.

Check here for more information before you travel to Chicago and see whether your state is orange or yellow. Check here for information on the rest of Illinois.

Indiana

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Indiana. Check here for updates.

Iowa

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Iowa. Anyone 2 and older is encouraged to wear a face covering in indoor public settings. Check here for updates and gathering restrictions.

Kansas

While mostly open, Kansas has some rather specific quarantine requirements based on previous travel destinations and when you went there. They are subject to frequent change. Check here for updates and more details.

Kentucky

Out-of-state leisure travel is discouraged unless you’re fully vaccinated, but Kentucky has no official travel restrictions. Read Kentucky’s travel advisory here.

Louisiana

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Louisiana. Check here for updates.

Maine

Visitors from all states are exempt from travel restrictions unless determined otherwise by the Maine CDC. Travelers must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival and fill out a travel protocol form if they are arriving from a nonexempt state. As of May 15, all states were exempt. Check here for updates.

Maryland

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Maryland. Find out more at VisitMaryland guide.

Massachusetts

People are asked to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. Travelers who are fully vaccinated or who have a negative Covid-19 test up to 72 hours before arrival are exempt. Visitors may also test once they arrive in the state, but are asked to quarantine until they receive a negative result. For more exemptions and updates, check here.

Michigan

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Michigan. Check here for updates.

Minnesota

As of May 15, there were no official statewide travel restrictions in Minnesota. Find out more: Explore Minnesota | Minnesota Department of Health.

Mississippi

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Mississippi. Check here for updates.

Missouri

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Missouri. Check here for updates.

Montana

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Montana. Travel restrictions might vary at Native American reservations. Please check here for updates.

Nebraska

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Nebraska. International travelers have Covid-19 testing and quarantining requirements, which can be found here.

Nevada

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Nevada. Check here for updates.

New Hampshire

Domestic visitors to New Hampshire no longer need to quarantine or take a Covid-19 test to travel to New Hampshire, but it is still recommended to get tested three to five days after arrival. However, people who have had traveled internationally within 10 days of arriving in New Hampshire or have been on a cruise ship do need to follow testing and quarantine protocols unless they meet certain exceptions. Check here for important details.

New Jersey

Unvaccinated travelers from anywhere other than New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware should self-quarantine at their home, hotel or other temporary lodging with the following in mind:

— If travel is unavoidable, you should consider getting tested with a viral test (not an antibody test) one to three days before the trip and again three to five days afterward.
— If you test negative, you should quarantine for seven days after travel. If testing is not available or results are delayed, you should quarantine for 10 days after travel.
— You’re requested to fill out a voluntary online survey.

Fully vaccinated people or people who have recovered from Covid-19 in the past three months are exempt from precautions. Please click here for details and updates.

New Mexico

People traveling from out-of-state are recommended to self-quarantine for 10 days or the length of their stay in New Mexico, whichever is shorter. Exemptions from low-risk states are allowed, but currently, only Hawaii is deemed low risk. Check here for updates.

New York

As of April 10, the quarantine protocols for asymptomatic domestic and international travelers to New York were lifted. People are still asked to fill out a New York state traveler heath form unless coming from a bordering state. You can check here for crucial details.

North Carolina

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in North Carolina. Check here for updates and details.

North Dakota

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in North Dakota. Check here for updates.

Ohio

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Ohio. The state encourages travelers to follow CDC guidance. Check here for details.

Oklahoma

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Oklahoma. Check here for updates.

Oregon

People arriving in Oregon from other states or countries, including returning Oregon residents, are encouraged to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. Nonessential travel, which includes tourism, is discouraged unless you’re fully vaccinated. Check here for updates and details as well as exemption requirements. Oregon also has a county-by-county risk assessment map you can check before you travel.

Pennsylvania

As of May 7, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Pennsylvania. Check here for updates.

Puerto Rico

To visit this US commonwealth, you need a negative result from a Covid-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours before arrival. If you come without a test result, you must self-quarantine for 14 days or the duration of the trip, whichever is shorter. You must also fill out an online travel declaration form. Please check here for details and updates.

Rhode Island

Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to quarantine if it’s been at least 14 days since your final vaccine, and you have not showed symptoms of Covid-19 before traveling to Rhode Island.

Unvaccinated international travelers must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. Quarantine time can be shortened to seven days if you receive a negative Covid-19 test at least five days after you’ve arrived.

Unvaccinated domestic travelers must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival or show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival if coming from a state considered a “hot spot.” You can check here for updates.

South Carolina

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in South Carolina. Check here for updates.

South Dakota

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in South Dakota. Some routes through Native American lands might be closed. Check here for updates.

Tennessee

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Tennessee. Check here for updates.

Texas

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Texas. Check here for updates.

Utah

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Utah, though there is a statewide mask mandate. Check here for updates.

Vermont

Vermont has issued updated travel guidance for its phased reopening. Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to test or quarantine. Unvaccinated people must get a PCR test for Covid-19 taken no more than three days upon arrival. If the result is negative, no quarantine is required. There is additional guidance for international travelers and returning residents. Check here for updates.

Virginia

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Virginia. The state suggests getting tested one to three days before travel and again three to five days after you return. Check here for updates.

Washington, DC

UPDATE: The nation’s capital is loosening its travel restrictions. Travelers who aren’t fully vaccinated and coming from a high-risk area or those staying more than a day still must take a Covid-19 test. Check here for that list, updates and important details. And you can click here for the status of tourist-oriented sites.

Washington state

As of May 15, there were no travel restrictions in Washington state. Gov. Jay Inslee is encouraging visitors to follow CDC guidelines. Check here for details.

West Virginia

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in West Virginia. Check here for updates.

Wisconsin

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions. However, the state is discouraging nonessential travel. Check here for updates.

Wyoming

As of May 15, there were no statewide travel restrictions in Wyoming. Check here for updates.

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