Sheila K Miller, Multimedia Journalist, & Certified COVID Compliance Officer
Adobe Stock.
Over a year ago, the pandemic disrupted life worldwide, essentially causing countries to execute stay-at-home orders to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Travel became confusing during this time. Since Traveling During the COVD-19 Pandemic, not much has changed though. Even with vaccines available to fight COVID-19, domestic and international travel is still confusing.
Domestic Travel
Adobe Stock.
To date, there are about 40 states with no COVID travel restrictions or recommend travelers to follow the CDC domestic travel recommendations. Ten states still have requirements for testing and/or quarantine for travelers. Domestically, you need to figure out a state’s requirements and if local governments within a state have their own COVID-19 travel requirements.
While Illinois has no state requirements for pandemic travel, Chicago has a two-tier system identifying those that required to quarantine and test and those who are exempt. Hawaii is another state where you may encounter some local COVID travel requirements. On May 11, those who were fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to travel will be exempt from pre-testing and quarantine when inter-island traveling in Hawaii. CDC has developed a tool to help you plan your future domestic travels around the pandemic requirements.
Based on data from the CDC COVID Tracker as of May 8, 2021.
The number of states with or without COVID traveling requirements is constantly changing. The rate of positive tests from the total number of tests reported is one figure that determines what a local government requires for travel. As of May 8, the U.S. positivity rate is at 4.09 percent with 13 states managing a 6 – 10 percent positivity rate and 37 states with a 0 – 5 percent rate.
International Travel
Adobe Stock.
International travel is just as confusing with every country developing their own requirements or guidelines for travel. When traveling, you face different requirements including, airline, destination, and possibly local requirements for testing and quarantine at the expense of the travelers. The exemptions can be many.
As a COVID Administrator for a Danish company in the U.S., Sheila Elias coordinates COVID testing for at least 40 international travelers a month. Ms. Elias says, “Even within the EU you have countries with different requirements upon entry.” Two tools she uses to navigate testing and quarantine requirements in this pandemic include the U.S. State Department and Skyscanner sites. Both provide links to the destination government’s COVID page for more detailed information, if she needs any clarifications.
Fully Vaccinated Travel Benefits
Sheila K Miller
Some states and countries are lifting regulations for those that are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated is defined as those who have received the second dose or the Janssen one dose vaccine at least two weeks ago. The CDC recommendations states that fully vaccinated travelers do not need to test unless the destination requires testing or quarantine.
New York is just one state who has lifted testing and quarantine for international travelers who are fully vaccinated. Even though there are only recommendations when it comes to testing, fully vaccinated do not have to follow the recommended testing or self-quarantine. As mentioned above, Hawaii is also relaxing restrictions for the fully vaccinated travelers island hopping.
Adobe Stock.
Internationally, while most countries are only open to essential travelers, there has been talking of opening countries up for fully vaccinated tourists. Belize was one of the first to do so. Some other countries open to fully vaccinated tourists include Guatemala, Iceland, and Ecuador. Tourism opening to travelers fully vaccinated in these countries does not mean you will not have to test before boarding a plane or upon arrival to your destination. Do your homework before traveling. The CDC still recommends you wear a mask and social distance when traveling.
Adobe Stock.
Monica Mitchell, who worked mainly in the music industry’s concert before the pandemic, has pivoted to working live events for sporting events, i.e., NFL Super Bowl and NCAA March Madness, and on television production sets. In her domestic travels during the pandemic, she says, “Make sure you pack KN95, wipes, and hand sanitizers to help keep you safe during your pandemic travels.”