Buzz
With more vaccines being distributed and COVID-19 cases decreasing nationwide, if you've spent the winter at home, you might be wondering if it's finally time to plan a getaway. The simple answer: not quite. The full answer? Let's take a closer look.
The CDC continues to advise against non-essential travel
Traveling still carries the risk of contracting COVID-19 and potentially spreading it to others. This remains true as long as the virus is circulating in local communities.
The CDC provides a checklist to consider before traveling. If you're thinking about planning a trip, be sure to review the list and answer honestly (even if you or your loved ones have been vaccinated). Some of the key questions to ask yourself include:
Are you, your family members, or anyone you plan to visit considered high risk?
Will your travel plans involve close contact with others, such as flying on an airplane or sharing a car with people you don't live with?
Will you be in close proximity to people outside your household during the 14 days before traveling, including attending crowded events, dining out, or using public transportation?
If you answer 'yes' to any of these questions, or others on the checklist, the CDC advises avoiding non-essential travel. While these guidelines may change as community transmission decreases, caution remains the best approach for now.
If you're vaccinated, the risk to you personally is low.
Vaccinated individuals can safely visit other vaccinated people, and can also visit one unvaccinated household, according to the latest CDC guidelines. But is it okay to travel across the country to see family after a year apart? Not necessarily.
First, keep in mind that there’s a slight chance you might transmit the virus to others. So while quarantine isn’t necessary after an exposure, it’s still important to wear masks and follow other safety measures when around people.
Second, consider all the people who will be in contact with each other because of your travel. Visiting an unvaccinated friend and dining out may be safe for you, but it’s not safe for your friend or the restaurant staff. And if you're traveling with children or other unvaccinated family members, they could easily contract the virus and spread it to others.
Travel is not a reason to engage in activities that would otherwise be considered unsafe
You can see the pattern, right? The guidelines for when to wear a mask and which situations to avoid are the same whether you’re at home or traveling. If you wouldn’t crowd into a small room with strangers for hours back home, don’t do the same thing on an airplane.
Travel brings additional risks that you wouldn’t encounter at home. Two experts shared with NPR recently that they would avoid traveling to states like Texas and Florida, where restrictions have been relaxed; the risk is simply too high.
The risks associated with travel will likely change over time; things will become safer as more people get vaccinated. If you're longing for a true vacation, it might be wise to start planning cautiously for a trip later this year or next year—while keeping cancellation policies in mind, just in case.
Road trips to outdoor locations remain the safest option
Does this mean you can't travel at all? Well, it depends. Flying to party with strangers is definitely not recommended. However, if you can travel and stay at your destination without coming into close contact with people outside your household, there are still a few possibilities.
For example, members of your household (or even another vaccinated household, if enough people are vaccinated) can pile into the car for a road trip together. This removes the risks of airports, flights, and rideshares. Bring along snacks or get takeout along the way, so you can avoid spending time in restaurants.
Where should you go? Hotels are fine, but even better would be renting a vacation home, staying in a tent, or booking a cabin, where your only contacts will be those you've traveled with. For activities, instead of dining at restaurants or visiting museums, explore outdoor destinations like beaches and parks.
Camping could be a great option, or perhaps a carefully planned road trip to visit family. For instance, this might be the perfect opportunity to allow your vaccinated parents to finally embrace their grandchildren. Regardless of the choice, it's crucial to follow any quarantine and testing protocols that are in place along the way. The more precautions we take, the sooner we'll be able to return to planning larger, more ambitious vacations.
