What to bring if you test positive while traveling internationally for COVID-19 and cannot return to the US

As the world adapts following a surge in holiday travel and the emergence of the COVID-19 omicron variant, travel options remain limited. Many destinations still require even vaccinated travelers to present a negative test result before entering.

Travelers heading back to the United States from overseas must show a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding their flights. Therefore, if you visit family in a reopened European country, meet friends in the Caribbean, or enjoy a vacation at a Cancun resort and test positive for COVID-19, you won’t be able to return home immediately.

Instead, you will need to quarantine in the country you are visiting. In some locations, you may stay at your hotel or a relative's home. Certain hotels and resorts even provide discounted packages for those who must quarantine and cannot return home. Conversely, some countries might require you to use a government-managed quarantine facility.

The omicron variant has recently caused a rise in cases, even among those vaccinated. Hence, travelers should be more prepared than ever to quarantine at their destination if necessary.

In this article, I've put together a list of must-have items you might consider packing for your upcoming trip. These essentials could prove invaluable if you find yourself needing to quarantine away from home.

More: Impact of omicron on cruise travel

My top selections

For me, the most important item is my work laptop. During the early days of the pandemic, I was in South Africa with only my iPad Pro, increasingly anxious about being stuck there. (We managed to catch a flight home just before everything shut down.) While the iPad with a keyboard case works for writing articles and handling emails, I wouldn't want to rely on it for two weeks straight. Although that's typically all I take for personal trips, my laptop will be a constant companion on all my travels for the foreseeable future.

Another crucial item isn't a physical object: travel insurance. Some destinations mandate travelers to have insurance for medical expenses and transport in case they contract COVID-19 during their journeys, making this a must-have.

Although numerous hotels and resorts provide on-site COVID-19 testing for travelers preparing to return home, it’s advisable not to depend solely on that. Instead, consider packing some CDC-approved at-home COVID-19 tests. Be sure to account for shipping times if you choose to order these tests online.

In my opinion, those are the essentials. The items I would typically take on vacation—my iPad, magazines, headphones, and extra prescription medications—should suffice. I’ll pack a few additional outfits but mainly plan to use hotel or local laundry services.

Staff recommendations from TPG

After asking fellow TPG team members, they shared some inventive ideas. Here are a few additional items staffers would suggest bringing on an international trip in case they test positive on the way home and need to quarantine before returning to the U.S.:

• N95 or KN95 masks for public indoor spaces
• Phone chargers and power banks
• Extra medications, including cold relief and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen
• Thermometer, pulse oximeter, and electrolyte tablets
• Extra pairs of underwear
• Backpacker’s laundry detergent
• A deck of cards
• Pre-downloaded movies or TV episodes for binge-watching
• A pillow in case you end up stuck at the airport overnight
• If traveling with children, include everything they’ll need, such as activities, clothes, and standard over-the-counter medications
• Snacks and drinks if you're quarantining in a hotel to avoid steep resort prices (these can be picked up at a local store at the start of your trip or just before your test).

Ultimately, consider what you would need for both comfort and productivity if you found yourself unexpectedly stuck in a hotel room. By preparing this way, you'll be well-equipped for any quarantine situation at your destination.