Travel Advisory Chicago Updates Here Are the New Guidelines. The city said it would instead categorize counties and locations based on data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as low, medium, or high risk. In order to stay up-to-date on current conditions, residents should consult the map before traveling. Dr. Allison Arwady, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said the Chicago Travel Advisory was always intended to aid Chicagoans in making informed decisions about travel based on their individual and local COVID-19 risks. CDC COVID-19 Community Levels help us align prevention steps better with the specific risk of the pandemic as we enter this new phase of the epidemic.”
If at risk for severe illness Travel Advisory Chicago
CDC released a county-by-county community level map last month and announced a shift in metrics that gives more weight to hospitalizations and hospital capacity instead of case numbers. A mask and other precautions should be discussed with your health care provider if you are at high risk for severe illness in medium-risk areas, according to the CDC. If at risk for severe illness, people should wear masks in public indoor spaces, including schools, and take additional precautions. The “orange list” was added to the advisory prior to the upcoming change when COVID metrics rose above 15 cases per 100,000 people per day. Under that mark, travel is considered non-essential and on the “yellow” list.
It is also recommended that ALL travelers:
- Before traveling, ensure you have received your COVID-19 vaccines (including boosters).
- If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, isolate yourself and get tested.
- Pack a COVID test for at-home use if you develop symptoms while traveling.
In spite of relaxed mitigations across the country, the TSA’s mask mandate remains for public transportation, and businesses can also require masks.
The CDC’s COVID-19 community level map Thursday listed all Illinois counties in the low category, meaning masks can be removed safely.
Despite the changes to the advisory, the health department announced the removal of seven more states on Tuesday.
There was a drop in warning levels in Alabama, California, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oregon.
The spring break travel rush led to the removal of 16 states from the travel advisory last week.
Since vaccine approval for children under 5 has been delayed, children under 5 are exempt from the advisory, but only if they are traveling with vaccinated adults.
Travelers entering the United States will be subject to guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control that require a negative COVID-19 viral test at least one day before entry regardless of vaccination status or citizenship.
Guidance for CDPH travelers
A tool developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help communities decide what prevention steps to take is COVID-19 Community Levels. It is determined by looking at the number of new COVID-19 cases in a region, the number of COVID-19 hospital beds that are being used by COVID-19 patients, and the number of new COVID-19 admissions to hospitals. In order to identify the current level of risk in a county, users can use the CDC’s website. Check the map to see whether the area you are traveling to is low, medium, or high risk for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status.