Highlights:
- Be Clever. Only travel when it makes sense for your situation.
- Domestic can be safer than international.
- Drive can be safer than flying.
- Get full vaccinated.
Jun 11, 2021 – In normal times, summer travel is all about relaxing, spending time outdoors, and putting most worries aside, at least temporarily. However, through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic, carefree travel looks more difficult in summer.
Think about the safest way to get to your destination, what health precautions are still required and what the COVID-19 case numbers look like at your destination, experts advise.
“If you are a higher risk tolerant traveler and flexible, it may be a good time to start planning this trip,” said Henry Wu, MD, director of the Emory TravelWell Center and associate professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, said during a media briefing on Thursday.
Instead of international travel, for families with unvaccinated children or for people who want more predictability when traveling, staying closer to home through local or domestic travel might be a better idea, Wu said.
For people with health problems that increase their risk for more severe COVID-19 or for whom the vaccines may be less effective, “it still may not be a good time to travel,” he said.
Learn more about safe travel here
Pack the travel guide – and the travel guide
So where? The CDC’s Travelers’ Health website is the best place to start, said Wu. “The number of countries that reach the highest level [travel warning] increases. “
Countries in the midst of a serious surge are not a good choice, Wu said. “Even if you are vaccinated, if you need medical attention while you are traveling, whether from a car accident or a heart attack, you become a burden on a troubled healthcare system.”
Summer travel plans also begin with vaccination, Wu said. “I really advise everyone to get vaccinated when it is available to you.” Also, be sure to pack your CDC-issued vaccination card and make copies, including one that can be backed up on the Internet.
Travel relapse! January 2020 was our first and last trip abroad before the Covid shutdown! I’m getting this travel itch and can’t wait to satisfy it! ๐๐ผ๐๐ผSoon, God willing! pic.twitter.com/gifRH4g608
– ๐๐๐ค๐ง๐๐ก๐๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฟ ๐๐๐๐ (@BerdSfo) June 6, 2021
Although the CDC suggested that vaccinated people can do most activities without a mask, “I suggest that travelers take a more nuanced and informed approach,” Wu said. If you find yourself in situations that are at a higher risk for the transmission of COVID-19 – say, a crowded indoor space with a mix of people – I would recommend wearing masks even if it is not required.
As a reminder, most countries still require a COVID-19 test before traveling, even for those who are vaccinated. Also, keep in mind that if you return to the US, you will still need to have a negative test within 3 days of boarding a plane, Wu said.
“So this mask could save you a big headache.”
Worrying Variants and Single-Dose Protection
A growing body of data suggests that the COVID-19 vaccines offer protection from worrying variants, including the Delta variant, which was first identified in India, Wu added.
“Our vaccines are effective in preventing serious diseases and likely most infections from the Delta variant,” said Wu. Also, when there are โbreakthroughโ infections – cases where people who have been vaccinated are still infected – most cases are mild.
“I can’t say all the data is there and there is 100 percent certainty,” said Wu, especially when a new breed of concern emerges. He recommends always taking additional precautionary measures, “regardless of whether it is masking in high-risk situations or avoiding countries with high transmission rates.”
“Get the Second Dose”
The situation is obviously more risky for the unvaccinated, but what about the people who are between their first and second dose or who – for whatever reason – only received the first of a recommended two-dose vaccination?
Anthony Fauci, MD, senior medical advisor to the Biden government, cited a study form that has not yet been peer-reviewed that the two-dose Pfizer vaccine is 88% effective against the Delta variant. However, this effectiveness drops to 33% with one dose. The study only looked at the Pfizer vaccine and not the two-dose Moderna shot or the Johnson & Johnson single shot.
Likewise, the effectiveness of two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine drops from 60% with just a single dose to 33%.
“My quick, quick advice is to get that second dose even if it’s late,” said Wu. “It is surely something I would do before you travel.”
Unless there is a medical reason or allergy that precludes a second dose, “why settle for a partial benefit when you can get the full benefit from this second dose?” asked Wu. “I would definitely get it.”
It’s about the journey and the destination
In general, road trips are the safest form of summer travel as they allow full control of your surroundings along the way. It’s still important to avoid crowded places when you stop on the way, Wu said.
Others continue to choose to travel by air. Airports and airlines continue to require passengers, including those who have been vaccinated, to wear masks. The CDC has mandated masks for all public transportation, including trains, buses, ridesharing, and more.
Try to minimize the number of times you remove a mask “when you want to be extra safe. Even if you are vaccinated, I always like to take these extra precautions”.
Cruise control
The CDC continues to enforce a No Sail Order for cruise lines operating in US waters, first issued on March 14, 2020. The agency continues to draw attention to the risk of the introduction, transmission and spread of COVID-19.
Cruises are “very interesting,” said Wu. Certain cruise lines have compulsory vaccinations for all passengers as well as for the crew. “Some have loosened up [the criteria], some have withdrawn a little, others have a very clear demand, “he added.” This is what travelers should be aware of before booking a cruise. “
CDC press secretary Scott Pauley said in an email: โWe currently recommend all people avoid traveling on cruise lines, including river cruises, worldwide. As for future cruises, you should keep monitoring our guidelines for updates. “
And recently, two Americans tested positive for COVID on board a Celebrity Cruise Line cruise from St. Maarten this week, CNN reported.
International plans
The CDC recently downgraded its warning levels for more than 100 countries. The move comes after the agency changes their travel advice criteria. For example, the highest warning, Level 4, now requires 500 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population, up from 100 cases per 100,000.
Unsurprisingly, India was a country that was not downgraded. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ May 5 recommendation for India, which cites a โvery high levelโ of COVID-19, โdo not travelโ is still in place.
Another recommended source of information is the Department of State’s website, which has updated information on COVID-19 and other risks that can be searched by country.
A pandemic dog delays travel plans
When asked whether he would be traveling this summer or not, Wu replied, “I’ve been vaccinated for over 6 months and I really itch to get on a plane to visit my parents.”
His two older parents are also vaccinated, so Wu believes it will be safe for him to visit them in Hawaii.
What’s the catch? A relatively new member of the family. Wu adopted a pandemic dog last year, “and getting the dog to boarding school is proving to be problematic. That prevents me from booking my trip, but I hope to do so in the next month or so.”
A new phase of hope
“We will be in this pandemic in a year and a half and we are entering a new, exciting and hopeful phase,” said Wu
With COVID-19 being a global problem, especially for travelers, he welcomed the news that the US plans to donate an additional 500 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the world. “This is excellent news that comes along as much of the world opens up to travelers again.”
WebMD health news
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Henry Wu, MD, Director, Emory TravelWell Center, Associate Professor, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta.
White House COVID-19 Response Task Force, press conference, June 10, 2021.
Scott Pauley, Press Secretary, CDC.
CNN: “2 passengers on the Celebrity Millennium cruise test positive for Covid-19.”
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