Covid restrictions by US state

With the United States seeing new hotspots for Covid-19 cropping up, varying forms of restrictions have been implemented by the individual states. Restrictions imposed at the state level are below, and also include links that may be helpful. States in red text have stronger regulations than the standard ‘mask and social distancing’ and are worth a closer look. All information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of 28 July 2020.

However, here are a few things to keep in mind regardless of where you plan to fly:

Always check all NOTAMs and relevant publications before flying
Consider fuel levels and alternates in light of unexpected ATC closures/restrictions
Follow CDC and state/local government guidance – this may include masks, gloves, Covid-19 testing, and cleaning/disinfection regimes
Check with your handler or airport representative to verify that city or county government regulations do not differ from the state regulations, and to confirm availability of services at the airport
Aviation is considered an essential business by the U.S. Federal Government, but some states may not have explicitly named it as such in their regulations.

However, keep in mind that U.S. federal regulations still restricts international travel into the U.S. for those who are not citizens or permanent residents. There’s a long list of countries where passengers are not allowed to have travelled to within the past 14 days if they want to enter the US. This includes the European Schengen area, the UK and Ireland, mainland China, Iran, and Brazil. Passengers who have been in one of these countries in the past 14 days but who are exempt from the restriction to enter the US (i.e. they are US residents or family members), are only able to land at one of 15 airports: ATL, BOS, ORD, DFW, DTW, HNL, LAX, MIA, JFK, EWR, SFO, SEA, IAD, FLL and IAH. More information can be found on the Centres for Disease Control website.

Alabama:

All individuals are required to wear a mask when within six feet of a person from another household.
Social distancing of six feet is also required between members of different households.
https://covid19.alabama.gov/

Alaska:

All travellers from outside Alaska must fill out a declaration form, and present results of a negative Covid-19 PCR test from within the last 72 hours. If your test results are from the previous five days, you must be tested again on arrival.
In either case, those remaining in Alaska must also take another PCR test 7-14 days after arrival.
There is no mandate to wear a mask or social distance, but it is strongly encouraged.
Alaska has a large number of remote settlements that may not have a robust healthcare system, and as a result may have instated stronger regulations – check local resources.
https://covid19.alaska.gov/

Arizona:

There is no statewide mandate to wear a mask or social distance, but it is strongly encouraged.
Phoenix (Maricopa County), Mesa, Tucson, Flagstaff, Tempe, and a host of other cities have enforced masks/face covering requirements – check local resources.
http://azhealth.gov/COVID19

Arkansas:

There is a statewide mandate requiring masks/face coverings to be worn in indoor public areas, and in outdoor areas where social distancing cannot be guaranteed.
https://govstatus.egov.com/ar-covid-19

California:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://covid19.ca.gov/

Colorado:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://covid19.colorado.gov/

Connecticut:

Visitors to Connecticut from certain high risk states are required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival and fill out this form. The states are: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Face coverings are required in all public areas where social distancing cannot be maintained.
https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus

Delaware:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/

District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.):

Masks are required in public areas and social distancing is encouraged.
Those who have participated in non-essential travel to/from high risk states must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. The states are: Arkansas, Arizona, Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin.
https://coronavirus.dc.gov/

Florida:

There is no statewide mask/face covering requirement, but many individual cities and counties have one in place – this site lists them.
Visitors from the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) must isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
Florida is emerging as a hotspot, and many local authorities are rolling back plans to open businesses as a result – check with local contacts for the most up to date information.
https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/

Georgia:

Usage of masks/face coverings is strongly encouraged, but not mandated. Certain cities, including Atlanta, have mandated the use of face coverings. Social distancing is also encouraged.
https://georgia.gov/covid-19-coronavirus-georgia

Hawaii:

All interstate travellers must quarantine for 14 days on arrival in Hawaii, although this may be avoided from September 1 through the presentation of a negative PCR test from the preceding 72 hours.
Inter-island travellers must fill out this form.
There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://hawaiicovid19.com/

Idaho:

Ada County, which includes Boise, is encouraging a 14 day quarantine for those entering the area. Other counties are further along in their reopening plans and do not request a quarantine.
Some counties are requiring the usage of masks/face coverings and others only encourage them. Social distancing is still encouraged.
https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/

Illinois:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
Travelers from the following states should quarantine upon arrival in Chicago: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Effective Friday, July 31, travelers from Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and North Dakota will also be directed to quarantine.
https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/

Indiana:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/

Iowa:

There is no statewide mask/face covering mandate, but Johnson County (which includes Iowa City) has a mask mandate in place. The state government is encouraging the wearing of masks and social distancing.
https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus

Kansas:

There is a statewide face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
Those who have travelled to/from Florida will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Kansas. The same applies to anyone arriving from China, Iran, the European Schengen area, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, and anyone returning from a cruise ship.
https://covid.ks.gov/

Kentucky:

There is a statewide face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
Individuals who have travelled to/from Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, and Puerto Rico are advised to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Kentucky.
https://govstatus.egov.com/kycovid19

Louisiana:

There is a statewide face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged. Local areas have the ability to opt out of the mask mandate if they meet certain criteria.
http://ldh.la.gov/Coronavirus/

Maine:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
Only those residents of Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey can enter the state without restriction. All others must have a negative test result or must quarantine for 14 days – and must sign a Certificate of Compliance which is necessary to check-in to lodging in Maine.
Maine residents who visit one of the five exempted states may return without restriction, but visits to any other states are still subject to testing and/or quarantine upon return.
https://www.maine.gov/covid19/

Maryland:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place for public areas, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://www.visitmaryland.org/article/travel-alerts

Massachusetts:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
All those entering the state must complete the Massachusetts Travel Form and quarantine, unless coming from a low-risk state or able to present a negative test result from the preceding 72 hours. Low-risk states are Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information

Michigan:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged. Businesses may deny entry to those not wearing face coverings.
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/

Minnesota:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

Mississippi:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,420.html

Missouri:

There is no statewide mask/face covering requirement, but many individual cities and counties have one in place – this site lists them.
https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/

Montana:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place for counties with more than four active cases – 25 counties currently meet the criteria. Social distancing is encouraged.
The state also includes multiple areas of tribal land governed by local councils – check local resources to see what rules may apply.
https://www.visitmt.com/montana-aware

Nebraska:

There is no statewide mask/face covering requirement, but many individual cities and counties have one in place, including Omaha.
http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx

Nevada:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/

New Hampshire:

There is no statewide mask/face covering mandate, but the use of them is encouraged along with social distancing.
Those travelling into the state from outside the New England area are encouraged to quarantine for 14 days.
https://www.nh.gov/covid19/

New Jersey:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
Travellers from high-risk states are asked to voluntarily quarantine for 14 days, and provide contact information. States include Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
https://covid19.nj.gov/

New Mexico:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
All out of state travellers are required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
https://cv.nmhealth.org/

New York:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
Those who have spent more than 24 hours in a high-risk state must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. The states include Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Those arriving at New York area airports will be required to fill in a Health Department traveller form.
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

North Carolina:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://www.nc.gov/covid19

North Dakota:

There is no statewide mask/face covering mandate, but the use of them is encouraged along with social distancing.
https://ndresponse.gov/covid-19-resources

Ohio:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
Travellers from high-risk states are asked to voluntarily quarantine for 14 days. States include Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina and Texas.
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/

Oklahoma:

There is no statewide mask/face covering requirement, but many individual cities and counties have one in place, including Oklahoma City.
https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/

Oregon:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19/

Pennsylvania:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
Travellers from high-risk states are asked to voluntarily quarantine for 14 days. States include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

Rhode Island:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
Travellers from high-risk states are asked to voluntarily quarantine for 14 days, although this can be avoided with a negative test result from the preceding 72 hours. States include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Visitors from Puerto Rico must also quarantine.
https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/testindex.php

South Carolina:

There is no statewide mask/face covering requirement, but many individual cities and counties have one in place – this article lists them.
The state also recommends those who have come from an area of widespread community transmission voluntarily quarantine for 14 days.
https://www.scdhec.gov/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

South Dakota:

There is no statewide mask/face covering requirement, and social distancing is encouraged.
The state also includes multiple areas of tribal land governed by local councils – check local resources to see what rules may apply.
https://covid.sd.gov/

Tennessee:

There is no statewide mask/face covering requirement, but many individual cities and counties have one in place – this site lists them.
https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html

Texas:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place for counties with more than twenty active cases. Social distancing is encouraged.
https://www.texas.gov/covid19/

Utah:

There is no statewide mask/face covering requirement, but many individual cities and counties have one in place, including Salt Lake City.
https://coronavirus.utah.gov/

Vermont:

There will be a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place effective August 1, and social distancing is encouraged.
Most arrivals to the state have to quarantine for 14 days, unless coming from a list of approved states/counties. Unlike other states, you may quarantine elsewhere before entering Vermont, provided you travel in a private vehicle and only make essential stops while wearing a mask. Quarantine may be shortened to seven days with a negative test result.
https://www.healthvermont.gov/response/coronavirus-covid-19

Virginia:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/

Washington:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://coronavirus.wa.gov/

West Virginia:

There is a statewide mask/face covering mandate in place, and social distancing is encouraged.
https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx

Wisconsin:

There is no statewide mask/face covering requirement, but many individual cities and counties have one in place, including Milwaukee.
Wisconsin residents have been asked not to travel to summer or holiday homes, and local restrictions may apply.
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/travel.htm

Wyoming:

There is no statewide mask/face covering requirement, but many individual cities and counties have one in place.
https://covid19.wyo.gov/

For more information on some of the wider restrictions in place at US state level beyond the realm of aviation, Kayak.com keeps a pretty neat little page updated here.

Covid restrictions by US state