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Travel and COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.

Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Stay home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Airports, bus stations, train stations, and rest stops are all places travelers can be exposed to the virus. These are also places where it can be hard to social distance. If you travel, take steps before, during, and after travel to keep yourself and others from getting COVID-19.

Before You Travel to Benin

Talk to your doctor ahead of travel, especially if you are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Wait 2 weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel—it takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. Get tested with a viral test 1–3 days before your trip.

• Do NOT travel if you were exposed to COVID-19, you are sick, or you test positive for COVID-19. Learn when it is safe for you to travel. Don’t travel with someone who is sick.
• Talk to your doctor ahead of travel, especially if you are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Wait 2 weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel—it takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination.
• Follow all entry requirements for your destination and provide any required or requested health information.
• If you do not follow your destination's requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the United States.

COVID-19 Traveling by air

If traveling by air, check if your airline requires any health information, test results, or other documents. Check with your destination's Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health or the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information page for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers. Follow any entry requirements or restrictions at your destination which might include testing, quarantine, and providing contact information. If you do not follow your destination's requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the United States. If you test positive on arrival, you might be required to isolate. You might be prevented from returning to the United States as scheduled.

If you get sick in Benin, you might need medical care. Plan ahead and learn more about Getting Health Care During Travel.

During Traveling to Benin:

If you must travel, take the following steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

How to Protect Yourself & Others

The Key Important Ways to Slow the Spread

• Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.
  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when in public settings. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
• Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you.
• Avoid crowds. The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.
  • Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you. It's important to do this everywhere—both indoors and outdoors.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.