What to Remember When Traveling This Season

NATIONWIDE — Warm weather has arrived and mask mandates are less restrictive. After more than a year pent up at home, many of us are ready to hit the road (or air) and travel around the country. However, there are some things you must remember before packing your suitcase.

1. If you are not yet fully vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that you put a halt to all unnecessary travel plans. However, if you are fully vaccinated (either two weeks following the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two weeks following the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines), you can travel! *It is important to keep in mind that if you are immunocompromised, have underlying medical conditions, or lives in close quarters with someone who is not eligible or has not yet been fully vaccinated, it is recommended to consult a physician before booking your tickets.
2. If you are unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated and have to travel, get tested 1-3 days before your trip.
3. When using public transportation, you are still required to wear a mask that fully covers your mouth and nose. Also, you must wear them at transportation hubs like bus/train stations and airports.
4. Check out the state and local mandates where you will be traveling to. What may be good to go in your locality may not be so somewhere else.
5. After you travel, if you are fully vaccinated, monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested if symptoms emerge. Those who are not yet or not fully vaccinated are being asked to get another COVID-19 test within three days of arriving back home and to self-quarantine for a full 7 days after traveling. If you choose not to get tested, you are being asked to self-quarantine for 10 days.

The bottom line is, if you do choose to travel, do so while keeping the inherent risks of the pandemic in mind.

For more information, visit the websites for the U.S. Department of Transportation and for the CDC.

If you need to schedule an appointment to receive one of three available COVID-19 vaccines, Virginia residents should visit the website for Vaccinate Virginia.

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