Americans who have already been vaccinated may re-include travel on their list of activities, according to guidelines issued Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC updated its guidelines to indicate that people who have already received both doses of the vaccine can travel within the country without having to undergo a coronavirus test or be placed. be quarantined on his return.
Earlier, the agency had called for avoiding non-essential travel even to people already vaccinated, but has noted that it would update its guidelines as more people are inoculated and have more evidence on the protection that vaccines give.
“Every day we receive more information and change guidelines based on existing data,” said Dr. Ali Khan, dean of the University of Nebraska College of Public Health.
Khan said the update enhances the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, and that it is another incentive for people to get vaccinated.
According to the CDC, about 100 million people in the United States, or about 30% of the population, have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
A person is considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of a vaccine.
The agency recommended that people who are not yet vaccinated continue to avoid non-essential travel.
The new guidelines state that:
1. People who have received both doses of the vaccine can travel within the United States without having to undergo a coronavirus test or be quarantined. They still have to wear masks, comply with social distancing measures and avoid crowds, the agency noted.
2. For international travel, the agency said vaccinated people should not submit a negative COVID-19 test before leaving, but some destinations may require it.
3. Vaccinated people should still test negative for VOCID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, and retest three or five days after returning. They should not be quarantined. The agency mentioned the possible introduction of virus variants and differences in vaccine coverage worldwide in its international travel guidelines.