Travel Information for Residents and Visitors

If you're traveling to Rhode Island from a location within the United States (US) or US territories, you’re not currently required to quarantine or get tested after arrival whether or not you're up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations. 

To lower the chances of catching and spreading COVID-19, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends all travelers follow quarantine and testing guidance from the CDC:

• If you’re not up to date on your vaccinations, get tested with a viral COVID-19 test 3-5 days after travel and quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
  • Even if your test result is negative, stay home and quarantine for 7 days.
  • If your test result is positive, isolate at home away from others. Learn more about what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
  • If you don’t get tested, stay home and quarantine for 10 days after travel.
  • Whether or not you get tested, avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days after travel.
• If you are up to date on your vaccinations or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, you do not need to get tested or quarantine after arrival in Rhode Island.
  • In general*, you’re up to date on your vaccinations if:
    • You received a booster OR;
    • You have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in the last 5 months OR;
    • You have completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the last 2 months.
    • *There are different COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who have compromised immune systems. This means that being “up to date” is different for this group. Please click here to view COVID-19 vaccine schedules for people who have compromised immune systems.
  • If you've tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days and completed your isolation period, RIDOH recommends that you carry proof of your positive COVID-19 test result when you travel. The 90-day period starts on the day of symptom onset or the day of your positive test if you were asymptomatic (day 0). You do not need a negative test result to return or travel to Rhode Island. You are also not required to retest or quarantine unless you begin to have or still have symptoms. 

Always watch for symptoms for 14 days after travel. If you develop symptoms, isolate at home away from others and get tested right away. 

What to do before you travel to Rhode Island.

All air passengers, regardless of vaccination status, must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before travel to the United States. For more information, visit this web page from the CDC.

If you are traveling to the US by plane and are not a US citizen, US national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the US on an immigrant visa, you must be fully vaccinated with a vaccine that is on the Food and Drug Administration’s or World Health Organization’s approved list. For a list of exceptions, visit this web page from the CDC.

Use this reference guide from the CDC to learn more about what documentation you will need to travel to the US from a foreign country by air.

What to do after you arrive in Rhode Island.

If you're traveling to Rhode Island from a location outside the US or US territories, you’re not currently required to quarantine or get tested after arrival whether or not you're up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations. 

To lower the chances of catching and spreading COVID-19, RIDOH recommends all travelers follow quarantine and testing guidance from the CDC:

• If you are not up to date on your vaccinations, get tested with a viral COVID-19 test 3-5 days after travel.
  • Even if your test result is negative, stay home and quarantine for 7 days.
  • If your test result is positive, isolate at home away from others. Learn more about what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
  • If you don’t get tested, stay home and quarantine for 10 days after travel.
  • Whether or not you get tested, avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days after travel.
• If you are up to date on your vaccinations, get a COVID-19 test 3-5 days after travel. If your test result is positive, isolate at home away from others. Learn more about what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
  • In general*, you’re up to date on your vaccinations if:
    • You received a booster OR;
    • You have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in the last 5 months OR;
    • You have completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the last 2 months.
    • *There are different COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for people who have compromised immune systems. This means that being “up to date” is different for this group. Please click here to view COVID-19 vaccine schedules for people who have compromised immune systems.
• If you've tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days and completed your isolation period, RIDOH recommends that you carry proof of your positive COVID-19 test result when you travel. The 90-day period starts on the day of symptom onset or the day of your positive test if you were asymptomatic (day 0). You do not need a negative test result to return or travel to Rhode Island. You are also not required to retest or quarantine unless you begin to have or still have symptoms. 

Always watch for symptoms for 14 days after travel. If you develop symptoms, isolate at home away from others and get tested right away. 

Departing travelers

Check with the health department in the state or country you are traveling to for testing requirements. Some locations require proof of a negative PCR test result. Others will accept a rapid antigen test but may not accept a result from a self-administered test at home.

Some locations and airlines require travelers to provide proof of a negative test result taken within a specific timeframe prior to arrival.  Make sure you have enough time to get your test result before you travel. 

If you’re departing Rhode Island, you can get a COVID-19 test by making an appointment at a pharmacy or clinic.

If you’re departing from Boston Logan International Airport, you can schedule a COVID-19 test by going to xprescheck.com.

Arriving travelers

If you’re arriving in Rhode Island and you don’t have symptoms but would like to get tested after travel, you can get a COVID-19 test at a pharmacy or clinic. Call or go online to make an appointment first.

You can also test yourself for COVID-19 at home. A self-administered COVID-19 test is an option if you’ve recently traveled and are not required to provide documentation of a negative test result. Self-test kits are available through local pharmacies, online retailers, and federal distribution programs.

Always watch for symptoms for 14 days after travel. If you develop symptoms, isolate at home away from others and get tested right away. 

COVID-19 vaccination is available to out-of-state travelers visiting Rhode Island. To learn more about how to get a COVID-19 vaccine while you’re in Rhode Island, visit C19vaccineRI.org.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is free. Some vaccine providers may charge insurance companies a fee for giving someone the shot, but they will not charge the person being vaccinated. No matter where you are vaccinated, COVID-19 vaccine providers cannot charge you if COVID-19 vaccination is the only service provided.

Health insurance is accepted but not required. No one can be denied vaccination based on healthcare coverage or network. Providers also cannot require additional medical services for you to get vaccinated.