NEW YORK (AP) – Add travel to activities that vaccinated Americans can enjoy again, according to new U.S. guidance issued Friday.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guide to say that fully vaccinated people can travel to the United States without being tested for coronavirus or after being quarantined.
Earlier, the agency warned against unnecessary travel even for vaccinated people, but noted that it will update its guidelines as more people are vaccinated and evidence of fire protection is provided.
“Every day you get more data and you change your guidelines based on existing data,” said Dr. Ali Khan, dean of the University of Nebraska, College of Public Health.
Khan said the update strengthens the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and is another incentive for people to get vaccinated.
According to the CDC, nearly 100 million people in the United States – or about 30% of the population – have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine.
Unvaccinated people are still advised to avoid unnecessary travel.
The new orientation says:
– Fully vaccinated individuals can travel to the United States without being tested for coronavirus or quarantine. People should still wear a mask, distance themselves socially and avoid congestion, the agency says.
– For international travel, the agency says vaccinated people should not get a COVID-19 test before leaving, although some destinations may require it.
– Vaccinated individuals should continue to receive a negative COVID-19 test before boarding a flight to the United States and be tested 3 to 5 days after return. It doesn’t have to be quarantined. The agency noted the potential introduction of virus variants and differences in vaccine coverage around the world for prudent guidance on travel abroad.
The CDC cited recent research on the real effects of vaccines for up-to-date guidance. Already, the agency said that fully vaccinated people could visit each other indoors without wearing masks or social distances. It is also said that vaccinated people could visit unvaccinated people from a single household under similar conditions, as long as unvaccinated people have a low risk of severe disease if they are infected.
The US began launching its vaccine in mid-December with. The first vaccines – from Pfizer and Moderna – require two separate doses every few weeks. In late February, regulators gave the green light to a unique Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
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