CDC: Fully vaccinated Americans cleared to travel without tests or quarantine periods

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that fully vaccinated people can resume traveling at a low risk to themselves, according to a report from the New York Times.

The CDC considers a person fully vaccinated two weeks after having the final shot of a COVID-19 vaccine.

What are the details?

In a Friday morning update, the CDC announced new travel guidance for fully vaccinated individuals.

The CDC now says that fully vaccinated people can travel at a low risk to themselves, and so long as COVID-19 precautions are taken — including mask-wearing and social distancing — those people can travel around the country without testing and quarantining.

With regard to international travel, fully vaccinated people will not be required to take a COVID-19 test ahead of time — unless their destination requires such testing — and will not have to self-isolate after returning to the United States after traveling.

The CDC continues to advise anyone who hasn't been fully vaccinated to avoid traveling, but if it is necessary for those people to travel, the CDC recommends they be tested one to three days before travel and then once more three to five days after returning home. Further, such people should also self-isolate at home for seven to 10 days after traveling.

In a statement, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, "With millions of Americans getting vaccinated every day, it is important to update the public on the latest science about what fully vaccinated people can do safely, now including guidance on safe travel. We continue to encourage every American to get vaccinated as soon as it's their turn, so we can begin to safely take steps back to our everyday lives."

"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," Walensky added.

What else?

According to the Times, the CDC's guidance does not change the fact that many countries refuse Americans' visits.

"Some are starting to make exceptions for those who are vaccinated. As of March 26, fully vaccinated Americans who can present proof of vaccination can visit Iceland, for example, and avoid border measures such as testing and quarantining, the country's government said," according to the report. "Some destinations and cruise lines already have started requiring that travelers be fully vaccinated. The cruise line Royal Caribbean is requiring passengers and crew members 18 or older to be vaccinated in order to board its ships, as are Virgin Voyages, Crystal Cruises and others."

The report also noted that nearly 1.6 million passengers boarded domestic flights on Sunday, which was the most on any day since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.