CDC Says Travel Is Safe for Vaccinated People
The CDC released new travel guidance after vaccination today, noting that “fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to contract and spread COVID-19.” But director Rochelle Walenski also pointed out that just because you can travel doesn’t mean you should .
“I would oppose conventional travel in general, ” she said at a White House briefing . “Our guide does not say anything about recommending or not recommending fully vaccinated people to travel. Our management speaks about the safety of this. “
As with the advice for visiting friends, travel rules are based on the idea that travel is a low risk for you if you are vaccinated. You have a very small risk of getting infected yourself and a very small risk of transmitting the coronavirus to others. None of these risks are zero, and you still need to be mindful of the risks faced by the unvaccinated people you meet along the way.
If you are traveling in the USA
According to the CDC, people who are fully vaccinated with the FDA-approved COVID vaccine (that is, two weeks after their last dose of Pfizer 2-dose, Moderna 2-dose, or Johnson & Johnson single-dose) can travel. ” safely. “
“You do not need to be tested or quarantined if you have been fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months,” the CDC said in a guide. You should still follow other guidelines, such as wearing a mask on public transport , and you should still avoid crowds and wash your hands frequently.
Unvaccinated travelers must be tested for the COVID virus one to three days before departure and then self-quarantined for 10 days, or seven days if the test is negative.
Everyone should watch for symptoms after travel; If you develop symptoms of COVID, whether you are vaccinated or not, seek testing and appropriate medical attention. Stay home to avoid spreading the virus to others.
If you are traveling to another country
The CDC has a page with specific travel recommendations for each country, so be sure to check it out if you’re planning an international trip. They recommend not traveling overseas at all unless you are fully vaccinated.
You do not need to take a COVID test before traveling unless your destination requires it. However, you still need to pass a test on COVID within three to five days after the trip. You do not need to quarantine.
If you are traveling from another country to the United States
To travel back home, the United States requires everyone, including those who have received the full vaccination, to test negative for COVID within three days of departure. The only exception is if you have recovered from COVID within the last three months and have documents (such as medical records) to prove it. After returning to the US, vaccinated travelers should not be quarantined, but you should still be tested for the virus within three to five days.