Oregon travel requirements 2024: What travelers need to know

We aim to keep this post updated about Oregon travel in 2024 with official Oregon travel restrictions, requirements, and health and safety guidance. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions so you can travel confidently, safely, and responsibly in this new post-pandemic world of ours.

We are Oregonians so this destination is very close to our hearts. The Covid situation in Oregon is relatively consistent so we don’t expect many updates to this post as of 2024.

At the end of the post, we share on-the-ground perspectives from local residents and travelers to Oregon so you can get a sense of what things are really like.

Last update: September 4, 2023. Originally published: May 2020.

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Is Oregon open for travel? Can I travel to Oregon right now?

Oregon is open to travelers. Indoor dining, retail, entertainment, and other businesses have fully reopened.

Capacity limits and the indoor mask mandate in Oregon have been lifted. Individual businesses may set their own requirements, though this is increasingly rare.

Can I travel to Oregon in November 2024? Can I travel to Oregon this Winter?

Travel to Oregon in November is open. Please read on for details and check back for updates.

What is it like to fly to PDX Portland International Airport right now? Hand sanitizer is widely available in PDX airport. The airport is busy and it may be difficult to avoid crowds.

We see about 5-10% of travelers and airport staff wearing masks in the airport.

Is Portland safe to visit right now? Portland Oregon has seen protests and increased homelessness in the past few years, in addition to Covid and weather challenges. Property crimes like larceny and vandalism are higher than usual right now.

To be honest, visiting Portland does feel different today. Most areas are not dangerous or chaotic, as may be portrayed in media, but Portland has some work to do. 

Do I have to quarantine when traveling to Oregon? There is no quarantine mandate for travelers. If you test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms after exposure, it’s recommended to stay away from others.

Does Oregon require a proof of Coronavirus vaccine for travelers? No, vaccine proof is not required for entry to Oregon or anywhere in the USA.

Does Oregon check COVID-19 symptoms of incoming travelers? No.

Is a booster shot required for travel to Oregon? At this time, booster shots are not required to enter Oregon. There is currently no expiration period set for the validity of vaccinations except in some educational institutions.

What healthcare options are available to travelers in Oregon who get the virus? Oregon hospitals and clinics are open and functioning as usual.

Testing is available in pharmacies and clinics. We have not seen testing anymore at PDX airport. It’s occasionally been difficult to find at-home self-tests during case surges.

Travelers without local insurance or travel medical insurance will need to pay for services out of pocket.

For travel insurance that covers Covid, check out Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing >

What service businesses and restaurants are open in Oregon? Oregon reopened all businesses and venues as of June 2021.

Individual business and venues may require their own capacity limits, making, or ask for proof of vaccine, though this is increasingly rare. There are no limits on social gatherings.

Are face masks required in Oregon? Oregon’s indoor mask mandate was lifted in March 2022. Individual establishments may set their own mask requirements, though it’s increasingly rare.

Masks requirements in healthcare settings have been lifted as of April 2023. Masks have been encouraged indoors in counties where there is high community transmission.

Are buses running in Oregon? Is TriMet and the MAX running in Portland? Public transportation is available without capacity restrictions.

Will Oregon impose new Covid restrictions? What’s next is difficult to predict. Historically, Oregon has imposed COVID-19 restrictions when strains on the health care system might become unsustainable. Oregon has been relatively proactive when it comes to preventive Covid measures.

How has the Coronavirus impacted Oregon?

Oregon was under a Stay At Home order for about two months in the Spring of 2020. Restrictions were implemented county by county, depending on risk factors and case numbers.

Most counties gradually eased COVID-19 restrictions, though further reopening was paused a couple times in response to increased case numbers. 

Oregon fully reopened without capacity limits on June 30, 2021. Then in early August, Oregon had record-breaking hospitalizations due to the Delta variant and an indoor mask mandate was brought back.

Vaccination boosters are now available for Oregonians. About 3/4 of Oregonians are fully vaccinated.

For the current situation in Oregon, including: total COVID-19 positive cases, COVID-19 testing in Oregon, and hospitalizations per county, please see the updated Oregon Health Authority graphics.

What do Oregon locals and recent travelers say about visiting Oregon now?

What is it like to visit Oregon right now? It’s our goal to provide regular updates here from real people on the ground, to help potential visitors know what to expect.

The following are subjective opinions only. Official travel guidance can be found above.

September 2023 – Michelle and Jedd, Intentional Travelers: “We flew into the Portland airport and it seemed back to usual. There are some Oregonians choosing to still wear masks on flights (about 5-10% of travelers), in health centers, grocery stores, and other crowded areas. But generally, concerns over Covid seem to be a thing of the past.”

November 2022 – Jedd, Intentional Travelers: “Even though there is no longer an airport mask mandate, it’s still somewhat common to see masks worn in Oregon airports. PDX and EUG airports are busy. Delays are more frequent with pilot and staff shortages.”

June 2, 2022 – Sophie of We Dream to Travel: “At this point, in June 2022, travel feels mostly back to normal in Oregon. In some areas, such as Portland, you will still see many people wearing masks and larger events will require proof of covid vaccination or a negative test. Outside of Portland, this is much less likely. As many of the best things to do in Oregon involve being in nature, covid has not seemingly impacted most of the top tourist spots. However, the restaurant industry appears to have been hit the hardest in areas, with many closing down or being very short-staffed, and as such providing poor service.”

March 28, 2022 – Michelle and Jedd, Intentional Travelers: “We flew into the Portland airport. 98% of passengers in the airport are following the mask mandate, but social distancing isn’t really possible at PDX.

Since Oregon dropped its indoor mask requirement, about 50% of customers in Portland and Salem are still masking in grocery stores, less so in bars or other venues, and less so in smaller towns. It’s much more rare to see masks outside now, so at the moment things look and feel more back to ‘normal’ than ever.” 

January 22, 2022 – Michelle and Jedd, Intentional Travelers: “We recently flew into Eugene airport, which was a welcomed change and much less crowded than PDX. Finding a pre-travel test appointment that could guarantee a fast turnaround for our next international trip was not easy during the Omicron surge. We did find a free drive-up testing site where results came back within 24 hours.
Omicron is spreading and some schools are closing in-person classes due to staff shortages, but fortunately hospitalizations haven’t gotten too bad. “

December 2, 2021 – Michelle and Jedd, Intentional Travelers: “We arrived back in PDX airport and it seemed normal, busy but not too chaotic, in terms of crowds. Indoor mask wearing is still in effect.”

October 11, 2021 – Michelle and Jedd, Intentional Travelers: “We flew out of Portland airport for our first international trip since the pandemic. The airport continues to be pretty busy but PDX is usually organized and efficient. Mask wearing has been mixed throughout Oregon despite the indoor mask mandate. I’d say masks are worn indoors by about 95% of people in most cities. In Portland it’s more common to see people in masks out on the street as well. Some senior citizens we know have been getting their booster shots. School is back in person and life in Oregon is finding a ‘new normal.'”

August 2021 – Michelle, IntentionalTravelers, Oregon Resident: “Oregonians are back to wearing masks indoors, though most businesses and attractions are fully open. With our decent summer weather, at least where there are no forest fires, people are out enjoying outdoor activities like wine tasting, hiking, concerts in parks, street fairs, etc.”

July 2021 – Michelle, IntentionalTravelers, Oregon Resident: “It feels fairly relaxed now in most of Oregon. Masks are still worn where required (airport, healthcare) and people are still considerate of social distance somewhat. Lots of people have their RVs and campervans ready for summer travel and the airport seems just as busy as it has been in the past.”

June 2021 – Michelle, IntentionalTravelers, Oregon Resident: “We transited through PDX airport in June. It seemed relatively calm and orderly. It’s impossible to avoid crowds but attempts are made to increase social distance when standing in lines. Everyone is still wearing masks unless they’re actively eating.”

April 2021 – Heather Y, Oregon Resident: “Oregon, specifically Portland and Medford in my experience, is doing well at providing options for outdoor dining, lots of covered outdoor eating areas, patios and newly built street side dining areas. and distancing. Masks are required in most public areas and people do a good job, with a few exceptions, with keeping distance, masked and sanitized. 
Travel restrictions are being considered and followed by most people I’ve talked to. Any travel is undertaken after negative Covid test results are obtained or 2 weeks after second vaccine dose is received. There are a variety of options for taking Covid tests prior to or following travel.
Be prepared to bring and wear your mask everywhere you go.”

January 2021 – Clarissa S., WA Resident, Modern Hipster Mama: “Enjoying Oregon right now is entirely dependent on what you plan to do. Most of the urban experiences and restaurants that make places like Portland appealing are currently unavailable, and the cold weather and winter rain makes dining outdoors somewhat unpleasant. However, if you love outdoor recreation, Oregon is one of the most beautiful places in our country and is full of socially distanced adventures! 
Oregon has taken a strict approach to the pandemic, and most local attractions (besides outdoor recreation like hiking, etc) are shut down. However, due to the strict control they’ve maintained, we have felt comfortable with access to healthcare and testing. More rural areas of Oregon are not following guidelines nearly as much as Portland.”

December 1, 2020 – Michelle C, BlogAuthor, OR Resident: “We returned to Oregon from California by car. There is no check at the State border, but we followed guidelines to self-quarantine at home after travel. Restaurants are currently take-out only, masks are required in public.”

May 26, 2020 – Resident, Salem: “Most Oregonians have been good about social distancing and following health guidelines, so we have been able to flatten the curve so far. With the phased reopening, I know many people are planning to mostly continue to stay home while others are eager to resume all their activities. Likewise, not everyone is wearing face coverings in public spaces, and there is some disagreement on the wisdom around reopening. 
Tourism isn’t a huge part of our economy so I don’t know how many people are really thinking about the impact of visitors.”

Even if you can’t go to Portland or Oregon Wine Country or the Pacific Coast right now, you can still get started planning your Oregon trip for the future.

Check out our other Oregon travel resources:

– A Local’s Guide to Portland Oregon
– Top Oregon Road Trip Destinations
– Our Favorite Places in Salem, Oregon
– Best Things to Do in Redmond, Central Oregon
– Silver Falls State Park: Oregon’s Best Kept Secret
– Small Town Oregon Wine Country: Independence & Monmouth
– What to Pack for Portland Oregon

* Access our free Portland packing checklist here *

If you have questions or updates about travel to Oregon during the Coronavirus crisis or post-pandemic, please let us know in the comments below.

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Disclaimer:
Please note, travel restrictions change frequently. Readers must take responsibility for verifying information through official sources like the State Department and CDC, in respect to their specific situations. No responsibility can be accepted by Intentional Travelers for action or inaction as a result of information provided through IntentionalTravelers.com. Any information provided here is issued as general information only.