Travel Information for Residents and Visitors

Travelers arriving in Rhode Island are not currently required to quarantine or get tested after arrival whether or not they’re up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations. 

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

• Before travel, you should:
  • Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. You’re considered up to date with your vaccines if you’ve gotten your primary series and all recommended booster doses when you are eligible. If you need help understanding if you are up to date, you can use the tool at C19VaccineRI.org.
  • Check the current COVID-19 Community Level at your destination.
  • Consider getting tested with a viral test as close to the time of departure as possible. Make sure you know your test results before travel and don’t travel if your test result is positive.

• During travel, you should:
  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for wearing masks in travel and public transportation settings.
  • Follow recommendations for protecting yourself and others.
  • Follow all  state, tribal, local, and territorial health recommendations and requirements at your destination.
• After travel:
  • Get tested with a viral test if you were in situations with greater risk of exposure, like being in crowded places while not wearing a high-quality mask or respirator.
  • Watch for symptoms for 14 days after travel. If you develop symptoms, isolate at home away from others and get tested right away. 

If you have a weakened immune system or are at increased risk for severe disease, take multiple prevention steps to provide additional layers of protection from COVID-19 even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.

Review more guidance from the CDC if you plan to travel within the United States (US) and US territories.

Review more guidance from the CDC if you plan to travel outside of the US and US territories

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. Learn more about COVID-19 testing in Rhode Island. 

Arriving travelers

If you’re arriving in Rhode Island and you don’t have symptoms but would like to get tested after travel, consider testing 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 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.