Medical experts share travel options for vaccinated people

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has allowed vaccinated Americans to travel again, but some immunized travelers remain on the fence about summer plans.

Is it finally safe to fly? What about visiting unvaccinated relatives or traveling with young children?

CNBC Global Traveler has asked medical professionals – all involved in the treatment or research of Covid-19 – to share their travel plans this summer. Here are their answers, in their own words.

Summer trip is ‘unlikely’

“I am unlikely to travel this summer … I am worried that the proliferation of variants, existing or new, sets the stage for a resumption of the Covid-19 growth model from last summer. hesitation about the vaccine … or supply and access problems will limit our ability to achieve herd immunity in the short term. ”

“We just have to look at the recent growth of Covid-19 in countries like Canada or countries like Michigan to see how problems with vaccine supply and the spread of variants can lead to dangerous, high-impact growth.”

There is nothing wrong with a waiting and watching approach right now.

Mark Cameron

Faculty of Medicine Case Western Reserve University

“[My kids] they’re desperate to get out of the house and into a theme park this summer, but that’s not really on our cards right now. I still believe that there will be relatively safe ways to travel this summer and that there is nothing wrong with an approach expected right now. “

“Complete vaccination, moving the balloon with us and maintaining infection control measures that have kept us safe so far, even if not mandated, would be part of the plan.”

“Mark Cameron, epidemiologist and.” associate professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University

Only from one house to another – by car

“I only travel this summer to travel by car from our place in New York to our home in the country. Under normal circumstances, we travel a lot, including abroad. But this year, we will spend most of time in our country, because it is much easier to avoid close contact than in the city or when traveling far away. “

“When we have to come to the city, we will do it by car. And when we arrive, we will avoid public transport, crowded places and indoor activities.”

It’s not time to give up …

William Haseltine

President, Access Health International

“Vaccination has not changed my behavior or summer travel plans. There are new variants… that appear regularly, and vaccines will not be as effective against everyone. Because of this, everyone in my immediate family and I take the same precautions after vaccination as before we were vaccinated. This includes avoiding unnecessary travel. “

“When we have to go to public places, such as the post office or the grocery store, we wear N95 masks and a face shield, a combination that has proven effective even in indoor health care settings, significantly reducing the risk of infection. “

“If some members of our extended family are required to travel over the summer, we will ask them not to visit us until at least two weeks after the trip – which includes adults who are vaccinated and children who are not.”

“It is not yet time to give up public health measures that can help us control the pandemic.”

—William Haseltine, former professor at Harvard Medical School and current president of Access Health International; the author of the book “Variants! The challenge of changing the shape of COVID-19 ”

Yes, but in the same region

“The family trip we are taking this summer will be semi-local. We plan to reach the shores of Jersey [to rent] an efficient apartment … enjoy hiking, beach and pool and will bring us food with us. We will drive so that we can easily bring everything. “

Dr. Sharon Nachman said a consideration for her family’s summer travel plans to the Jersey shore was “how easy we could be to return in an emergency.”

Jon Lovette | Choosing the RF Photographer | Getty Images

“By bringing our own food, we have reduced the need to go to areas that could be crowded or unsafe. Looking at the locations that had a variety of outdoor activities, we can get the fresh air and the sun that we have been missing for the last few months. “

“[My children] they were all vaccinated, but our grandchildren were not. With careful planning, we plan to visit and play with them this summer. “

—Dr. Sharon Nachman, head of the pediatric infectious diseases division at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital

Travel plans are undecided

“I don’t have any concrete plans yet. I live in California and may decide to visit local destinations away from driving with my husband for a few days just for a break. We may also decide to fly to Hawaii. Hawaii requires testing before departure and My husband and I are well into adulthood and we are both vaccinated now, so we are comfortable with the idea of ​​considering domestic travel at this time. We will certainly mask and wear eye protection while traveling. . “

For longer flights, Dr. Supriya Narasimhan said he would consider booking a business class ticket because “the empty empty seat no longer exists, flight operators make fewer trips and many are quite full.”

Nicolas Economou | NurPhoto | Getty Images

“The international journey is completely different. We would like to visit family in India in the summer as we have not seen them in the last 18 months, but India is experiencing a growth.… People are not safe hiding on flights and the era of empty empty seats is [in the] past, so contracting Covid during the trip is a very real risk, made more complex by the emergence of new variants. “

“From the experience of my institution, post-vaccination Covid is rare and I have not yet seen a severe case after vaccination. I trust our vaccines, but I will do my part to reduce my risk even more by diligently masking myself then when I’m around. others. “

—Dr. Supriya Narasimhan, head of infectious diseases at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center

I certainly travel, but only domestically

“My wife and I will travel by plane to visit relatives on the east coast. We will wear masks and be aware of maintaining social distance in the terminal, as well as while on board.”

“Both my wife and I are fully vaccinated, as is the family we will visit. Vaccine launch and impact on pre- and post-trip tests and state-imposed post-trip quarantines [were] crucial to our plans. If there were still quarantine requirements, we would have delayed the trip until they were picked up – not because of fears of infection, but only because of the practical implications. “

Dr. Charles Bailey said he intends to clean the surfaces of the flight, including the arms and seat controls, the tray table and the “lip” of the seat pocket.

Craig Hastings | Moment | Getty Images

“If our travel plans had included young children who had not yet been fully vaccinated, we would have considered the CDC’s recommendation for pre- and post-travel tests, as well as the possible implications of a post-travel quarantine period for returning to – school data. Finding any requirement or expectation from the schools they would return to in the fall would have been a reasonable idea. “

—Dr. Charles Bailey, medical director for infection prevention at Providence St. Joseph and Providence Mission Hospital

Going abroad this summer

“Like many Americans, my family also has plans to travel this summer. This summer, four of our family members would like to travel to Lima, Peru and take a trip to discover the many pleasures of this country, including the historic Machu Picchu. Seventy-two hours before boarding the plane, we will receive a Covid-19 PCR test to protect ourselves and others. ”

“The airport and mass transport are expected to be busier than in the last year. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all travelers be vaccinated. As health care providers, my wife and I are both completely vaccinated again [adult] children will be vaccinated before our travel activities. “

“It’s important before making travel arrangements to any destination you’re researching … the infectivity rate … should be less than 5%.”

“Data can change quickly and it is important to follow the current recommendations and recommendations of local authorities.”

—Dr. Ramon Tallaj, Chairman of the Board of Somos Community of New York Care

Editor’s note: Peru is currently under a Covid Level 4 approval by the CDC. According to the CDC, travelers should avoid traveling to Peru.

.Source