Labor Day weekend is approaching, traditionally a time for leisure and travel. However, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising caution, especially for those who remain unvaccinated.
Throughout the pandemic, travel has been a sensitive issue. Many individuals are eager to venture beyond their homes, and with the availability of vaccines and safety protocols like mask-wearing, long-distance travel has become safer. Nonetheless, being vaccinated is a key prerequisite for safe travel.
Prior to the upcoming holiday weekend, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky emphasized, “First and foremost, if you are unvaccinated, we would recommend not traveling.” White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients stressed the importance of vaccination as part of the pre-travel checklist.
Nevertheless, certain regions in the U.S. continue to experience low vaccination rates due to various factors, potentially leading to localized COVID-19 outbreaks. Travel from these areas could contribute to the spread of the virus among unvaccinated individuals and pose a risk to areas where the disease is receding.
CDC recommends that unvaccinated individuals should refrain from Labor Day weekend travel. https://t.co/3RNEkfqgby
— NPR (@NPR) September 2, 2021
If you are not fully vaccinated but must travel during the weekend, the CDC advises certain precautions. Before the trip, it is recommended to get tested for COVID-19 1 to 3 days in advance. Upon return, testing again after 3 to 5 days is advised, followed by self-isolation for at least a week. Additionally, wearing a mask in close proximity to others, frequent handwashing, and monitoring one’s health are essential measures.
Dr. Walensky mentioned that fully vaccinated individuals who wear masks can travel, but considering the current transmission rates, people should assess their personal risk before making travel plans.
(function() {
var loaded = false;
var loadFB = function() {
if (loaded) return;
loaded = true;
(function (d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s);
js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v3.0”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
};
setTimeout(loadFB, 0);
document.body.addEventListener(‘bimberLoadFbSdk’, loadFB);
})();
