Updated Travel Guidance for Staff and Families
Posted on 03/16/2021

Travel Restrictions

All families should remain apprised of the regular updates provided by the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) regarding travel restrictions. Guidelines continue to recommend avoiding all non-essential travel and quarantining for 10-14 days upon returning to suburban Cook County. Options for reducing quarantine length through PCR testing may be available for some domestic travel; however, these guidelines continue to evolve and change. Gatherings and travel in and out of communities present a high risk of spreading COVID-19 infection. In light of the current prevalence of the virus, attending even small gatherings that mix households or traveling to areas that are experiencing high rates of positivity, is not advised and is potentially dangerous. Please, travel only if necessary.

In its most recent update, the Cook County Department of Public Health adopted the travel guidelines and restrictions set forth by the City of Chicago for domestic travel and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for international travel. These guidelines continue to recommend avoiding all non-essential travel and quarantining for 10-14 days upon returning to suburban Cook County. Options for reducing quarantine length may be available. Please understand that travel and quarantine guidance from the CCDPH changes regularly and it is the responsibility of families to adhere to the most up-to-date guidance upon return from any travel. Below is a summary of the guidance available as of the publish date of this booklet and may change.

For Domestic Travel:

Please refer to the CCDPH Domestic Travel Guidelines for the most up-to-date information whenever you need to travel. Domestic travel guidance in Cook County aligns with domestic travel guidance for the City of Chicago.

As of March 8, 2021, domestic travel guidance from CCDPH includes the following.

    Any person (INCLUDING children) traveling to an ORANGE state will be required to complete:
    1. A 10 day quarantine; OR
    2. A negative PCR Covid test
    PCR testing must be completed within 72 hours prior to OR after returning to Cook County, and prior to returning to school.

 

Please BOOKMARK this page to check if the state(s) you are traveling to is orange. Yellow states do NOT require quarantine or testing. However, if the state was yellow when you left but changed to orange during your stay, quarantine or testing will be required. PCR testing is readily available and strongly encouraged for anyone who travels.

Note: If an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days or is FULLY vaccinated (at least 14 days after your 2nd dose or 14 days after a single dose shot), that individual is exempt from the domestic travel order. For prior Covid-19 infection – the individual must have completed the 10-day isolation (from start of symptoms and/or positive test), have a documented positive test, and remain asymptomatic during your travel. Children of these individuals are not exempt from the quarantine or PCR test requirement.

For International Travel:

Please refer to the CDC International Travel Guidelines whenever you need to travel for the most up-to-date information.

COVID Testing is Required for U.S. Entry
For international travel and effective January 26, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents) to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days. Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recovery for all passengers two years of age and over prior to boarding. Airlines must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery. Please see CDC’s FAQ for answers to questions about the new requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States.

CDC Quarantine Guidance Following International Travel

  • Get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel.
    • ○ Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
    • ○ If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
  • If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
  • Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.

 

Please plan accordingly and report the need to quarantine to your child’s school attendance line should your child(ren) travel internationally or to an “orange” state.