By Staff Writer
Are you among the millions of people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and now you cannot wait to get back to visiting foreign parts? Then you must be excited to hear what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] said in their recent travel guidance on April 2, 2021. Unfortunately, you may be somewhat disappointed at what the CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said. She stated that although you may travel at low risk to yourself, the increasing numbers of infections and the emergence of new variants are still a concern.
However, people who have received both doses of vaccine or the single, complete dose in vaccines such as Johnson and Johnson at least a full two weeks before travel do not have to take a COVID-19 test before going abroad. If it is a requirement by the authorities at the final destination, go ahead and get the test. Ensure that you know all the requirements for your final destination before leaving home because failure to comply could result in being put back on a flight home.
Airports and other public transportation hubs require masks. This requirement applies whether you are vaccinated or not. Self-quarantine is not necessary on return to the US, but you should still take a COVID-19 test no more than three days before getting on the flight back. Within five days of your return, you should take a follow-up test—self-monitor for symptoms of infection.
“No vaccine is perfect. A small number of people could still get Covid-19 after getting fully vaccinated, and they could spread the virus to unvaccinated people. There are studies going on now about how well the vaccines reduce the spread of the virus, and we may update our recommendations as we learn more,” said Dr. Cynthia Ogden of CDC’s Covid emergency response team.
The CDC team advises caution in two scenarios. Unvaccinated individuals from different households may mix or visit together, following standard pandemic protocols. So, wearing a mask, observing sanitization practices, maintaining hygienic standards, and social distancing are essential for maximum protection.
“If unvaccinated persons from more than one household are participating in a visit, then these visits should continue to happen outside, and everyone regardless of vaccination status should be physically distanced and wearing well-fitted masks,” said Tami Skoff, CDC Epidemiologist.
In the meantime, the CDC’s recommendations are for everyone, regardless of their vaccination status, to continue taking all the public health steps to minimize the potential for the continued spread of COVID-19 until vaccine coverage is sufficiently widespread.
