James Martin / CNET
The latest news and information on the coronavirus pandemic can be found on the WHO website.
Dream about getting on a plane and traveling after being stuck at home for a year? pandemic? You’re not alone. With the Introduction of the vaccineWe are approaching this reality. Whether or not you have already been vaccinated, widespread travel will take time for everyone.
In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that travelers Boarding international flights to the US will be required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test. This includes US citizens returning to the US after traveling, not just foreign travelers coming to visit.
The CDC also recommends that international travelers return to the U.S. three to five days after arrival and stay home for seven days after the trip.
As countries keep changing and adding travel restrictions, many people with cabin fever wonder: is it safe? travel yet? The pandemic isn’t over yet, so the obvious answer is no, not really, but it’s worth discussing the reservations in light of the recent CDC Air travel Announcement.
Our Health & Wellness newsletter has the best products, updates and advice in your inbox.
Is it safe to travel now?
Even with advanced security protocols, traveling is not 100% safe.
izusek / Getty Images
It is still not 100% safe to travel domestically or internationally despite the ongoing introduction of the Covid-19 vaccination. While vaccine offers some hope, not enough people have been vaccinated to make the US herd immunity, and there is still a risk of the virus contracting overseas.
Becky Liu-Lastres, Professor of Crisis Management and Risk Management in Tourism at Indiana University, explains that “the feeling of perceived security is very subjective”.
“How an individual assesses the situation depends largely on their personal experience, their surroundings and their knowledge of the subject,” says Liu-Lastres. “People should look at the evidence like the number of cases [where they’re going and coming from] and the possible health consequences of COVID-19, and then make the judgment. “
Remember, COVID-19 isn’t the only travel risk right now. If you are traveling to a low capacity area of the intensive care unit due to a high number of coronavirus cases and you have an accident that requires medical treatment or another life-threatening emergency, you may not be able to go to hospital for treatment. Some states, including California, have issued warnings regarding ICU capacity and non-COVID-19 travelers outside of the state for precisely these reasons.
When can we expect it to be safe to travel again?
It may not really be safe to travel again, especially internationally, until the majority of countries achieve herd immunity.
Stefan Cristian Cioata / Getty Images
Most experts agree that it is not 100% safe to travel domestically until it reaches the US Herd immunityand that it is not 100% safe to travel internationally until both the country of origin and the destination are herd immunity.
The Vaccine rollout will help speed the long road to herd immunity, although there is no telling when enough people will be vaccinated to actually reach it. (Dr. Anthony Fauci has said it could be until the end of 2021 for all American adults to be vaccinated, despite President Joe Biden’s promises Vaccines for Every American Adult by May.)
However, it is not realistic to ban all travel until all countries have herd immunity. That said, “As long as the situation is managed, which means people recover and no new cases are reported nationwide or globally, we can probably travel safely again,” says Liu-Lastres.
Can I travel internationally from the USA?
It depends on whether. Although the total number of international flights has been reduced during the pandemic, international travel is still happening – but the fact that airlines operate flights doesn’t automatically mean it’s safe to travel out of the US .
As in Domestic travelLiu-Lastres says it is up to every traveler to weigh the risks of their situation and check the security logs of the country they plan to visit.
Many countries have their own policy on COVID-19 when entering the country:
- The UK requires US travelers are required to conduct a 14-day quarantine unless they are an exempted traveler, including “high quality” travelers (e.g., top athletes, performers), students, and health professionals. Travelers are also required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test performed within three days of travel. Currently, it is still illegal for people living in the UK to travel abroad in their free time.
- Other European countries continue to prohibit the entry of tourists and other non-essential travelers from the US and other locations. Before you travel, check the websites of US embassies and consulates in the region as well as tourism and travel resources from the country you plan to visit.
- Across Asia, many countries are gradually opening up to international travelers with restrictions. For example, in China, all travelers are required to run COVID-19 tests. These tests must be carried out in specific laboratories that are checked and approved by the Chinese authority. They must undergo a 14-day quarantine and additional tests upon arrival. Other popular destinations like Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand require travelers to have a negative COVID-19 test to board a plane into the country and a 14-day quarantine on arrival. From January 15th Short trip to Japan For tourist and other reasons, this is prohibited for US citizens.
- South America is in the process of opening up to tourists again, although recent fears of a new variant of the coronavirus from Brazil have prompted other countries to do so Ban travelers from South America. For North American travelers most of the destinations in South America Still don’t allow travel for tourism. When travelers need to travel, most countries are required to provide negative COVID-19 test results, which are usually recorded within 72 hours of boarding their last flight. Some South American countries require 10 or 14 days of self-isolation upon entry.
No matter where you go, follow the country COVID-19 rules and guidelines upon entry, for the entire duration of your visit and upon departure. Follow after traveling internationally CDC Guidelines to Protect Your Family and Community.
What is the safest way to travel right now?
It is better to travel by car than by train or plane.
Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images
The most absolute is not to travel, but if you need to travel, go by car. Traveling in your own vehicle gives you control over factors that affect your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19, says Liu-Lastres. For example, you can keep hand sanitizer and antimicrobial wipes in your car and travel with your own food to avoid eating in crowded restaurants.
If you’ve been bitten by the travel bug and need a cure for cabin fever, “consider domestic destinations and plan your trips carefully,” says Liu-Lastres. “You need to look for information related to your transportation and destinations … What self-protection measures can you take? For the destination, where you will be staying? And what attractions will you visit? Are there requirements for COVID-19 testing? Are the attractions still open? Is it safe to visit? ”
These are just a few sample questions you would need to ask yourself before going on or even planning a trip, says Liu-Lastres.
Continue reading:: 10 activities that will expose you to coronavirus, from most to least risky
What are the risks of traveling?
When you travel, think about the risks to you and your family, as well as the risks you pose to others.
“Sometimes asymptomatic travelers without realizing it spread the virus to local communities,” says Liu-Lastres. “This is one of the main reasons travel bans are seen as a direct response to fighting the pandemic.”
Additionally, travelers risk catching COVID-19 and bringing it back to their home country, which can have serious health implications for themselves, their family, friends, and the entire community.
For the target and its residents, exposure to travelers can put residents at risk of infection, which can further affect the target community and put a strain on local health facilities.
So not only does travel expose you to new people and places that could increase your risk of contracting the virus, but you could also expose others to the virus without knowing it or put a strain on the hospital system of a country that is already struggling to treat the residents, explains Liu-Lastres.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions about a disease or health goals.
