The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new travel guidelines for fully vaccinated Americans.
The agency said on Friday in a White House press briefing that those that have received the COVID vaccine can now safely travel at “low risk.”
The CDC’s new travel guidance allows for vaccinated adults to travel on airplanes without as many stipulations, a relief for airlines that have seen travel stall amid the pandemic as Americans were warned against nonessential travel.
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According to Reuters, a group representing U.S. airlines, including American, Delta, United, Southwest, and others, urged the CDC last month to update its travel guidelines immediately to say, “vaccinated individuals can travel safely.”
Under the new CDC guidelines, Americans that have received the COVID vaccine are not required to get tested for the virus before or after traveling, and they no longer need to self-quarantine after travel. Those from the U.S. heading to an international destination also do not need to produce a negative COVID test unless it is required by the country they are traveling to.
Still, the requirement to have a negative COVID test remains for international travelers looking to enter the U.S. The CDC has also kept all current travel requirements in place for those that have not been vaccinated.
The mask mandate remains in place for both vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers.
The news comes as CDC Director Rochelle Walensky issued a dire warning to Americans on Monday about a fourth wave of coronavirus looming.
She said: “I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom. We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope, but right now I’m scared.”
In a statement on Friday, Walensky said: “Vaccines can help us return to the things we love about life, so we encourage every American to get vaccinated as soon as they have the opportunity.”
The CDC has fully vaccinated over 56 million people as of Friday, accounting for nearly 17% of the U.S. population.
Passengers arrive at Sydney airport. Photo: AFP / DAVID GRAY
