US: Authorities in Chicago, Illinois, update COVID-19 travel advisory as of Aug. 11 /update 40

Event

Officials in Chicago, Illinois, have updated the city's travel advisory as of Aug. 11, due to recent increases in COVID-19 infections in multiple US states. Under the current directives, city authorities are advising, but not requiring, unvaccinated individuals traveling from states and territories with an average of more than 15 new daily cases of the disease per 100,000 residents to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, or to self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Chicago.

Officials have added 12 additional states to the list, for a total of 33 states and territories impacted by the travel advisory, as of Aug. 11:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, US Virgin Islands, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Local authorities have warned that new travel and business requirements could be implemented in the coming weeks due to continuous increases in COVID-19 infections nationwide.

Statewide, Illinois remains in Phase 5 of its COVID-19 guidelines, having removed all capacity limits for businesses and gatherings and allowing large-scale events and conferences to resume. For more details on the Phase 5 guidelines, click here. Businesses may impose additional restrictions if they consider it necessary. State authorities are recommending all individuals, including those who are vaccinated, wear facemasks in indoor public settings if they live in areas with high transmission.

Authorities could reimpose, or otherwise, amend any restrictions with little notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Monitor local media and liaise with trusted contacts for updates. Heed the directives of local authorities. Reconfirm all health-related travel requirements before travel.