LATEST TRAVEL RULES IN U.S.: ONLINE TOOLS HAVE DETAILS

Since the pandemic began in March, many states have implemented rolling travel restrictions that change often. The coronavirus case rates in a traveler’s origin and destination can determine whether a trip across state lines could require tests or quarantines.

Amid a surge of U.S. infections, states are updating policies and tightening restrictions for the holiday travel season.

If you’re planning to drive or fly out of state soon, leave tracking the dizzying restrictions to the professionals. There are userfriendly resources that track the most up-to-date quarantine and testing rules in the United States. Here are a few options.

AAA coronavirus-19 map and road-trip planner

Travel organization AAA does not require people to have a membership to use its online coronavirus travel map, which details the latest state and local travel restrictions and provides links to local resources about protocols.

Citywide, countywide and statewide rules are mapped out, with statewide restrictions color coded to denote which states have quarantine or testing requirements, mask mandates or stay-athome orders in place. The interactive also shows total coronavirus cases by state or county, and it denotes existing border closures and roadway checkpoints. Visit ace.aaa.com/travel/advocacy/ coronavirus-travel-tipsinformation.html.

A mobile-friendly roadtrip planner from AAA, Triptik.aaa.com, can also help plan your road trip if you want to determine which rest stops, gas stations, restaurants and hotels remain open along your route.

United Airlines map of air-travel restrictions

In September, United Airlines launched its own color-coded map of U.S. travel restrictions for air travelers. The map shares coronavirus restrictions (or lack thereof ) for every state — breaking down interstate restrictions, health forms required for entry at an airport, and local conditions, such as whether restaurants, nonessential shops and museums are open. The map shows indepth details, including mask requirements and links to local health departments. Visit united.com/ual/ en/us/fly/travel/restrictionsmap.html.

For international travel, United also has a global version of the map with country-specific information.

Multistate’s dashboard of state and local policies

For an in-depth look at the nitty-gritty of every state’s coronavirus restrictions, lobbyist compliance firm Multistate created a dashboard of state and local policies organized by jurisdiction. The alphabetical list of state and local jurisdictions has exact details of existing travel rules, gathering restrictions and current phase of reopening. Links to local health orders, mask mandates and school closures are included.

The tool is separated into two dashboards: one for states and another for alphabetized local jurisdictions such as cities and counties. Some large cities or counties in coronavirusimpacted areas have different rules in place than their state. Visit multistate.us/ research/covid/public.