The risk of exposure to the virus can be reduced by 23% to 57% in one- or two-aisle planes when intermediate seats are vacant compared to a full-occupancy flight, according to the study released Wednesday by the States. United Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Researchers at the CDC and Kansas State University used laboratory models to simulate how much exposure to virus particles could be reduced when the middle seats in an airplane cabin remain vacant.
The models were based on the spread of bacteriophage aerosols that were used as a substitute to estimate the spread of coronavirus in the air. Bacteriophages are viruses that can infect bacteria. The analysis did not measure the impact of the use of masks, which is currently required on flights, but the researchers noted that some virus aerosol can still be emitted from a masked infectious passenger and therefore distancing. can be useful.
The models suggested that, with the average vacant seats, the risk reduction ranged from 23%, which was observed for a single passenger who was in the same row, but to two infectious passenger seats. , up to 57%, observed when the middle seats were empty through a three-row section containing a mixture of people with Covid-19 and other passengers.
“When infectious passengers and others who would have had medium seats were removed, leaving six infectious passengers out of the total of 12 passengers left in the window and hallways, a 57% reduction in exposure was observed,” they wrote. the researchers in their study.
In general, “it is important to recognize that the current study deals only with exposure and not transmission,” the researchers wrote. More research is needed to determine the risk that the virus can be transmitted and cause disease.
Recent travel guide update
The agency said that as long as precautions are taken against coronavirus, including those wearing masks, fully vaccinated people can travel to the United States without testing for Covid-19 before or self-quarantining afterwards.
For international travel, fully vaccinated people do not need a Covid-19 test before traveling (unless the destination requires it) and do not need to quarantine after returning to the United States. They should still have a negative Covid-19 test before embarking on a flight to the United States and a follow-up test three or five days after their return, the CDC noted.
The CDC considers that someone is completely vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. The updated guidelines do not apply to unvaccinated individuals. The CDC advises all people who have not been fully vaccinated to continue to avoid travel.
All Americans, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a mask and practice public health measures such as physical distancing and washing their hands frequently, the CDC says.