Another holiday season is here! Quite a few of us, who had put travel plans on hold in 2020, were waiting to enjoy holiday travels yet again. Then, unexpectedly, the new COVID-19 variant Omicron surfaced, raising questions about the holiday season. Will the new variant impact all our holiday plans? Our survey showed that 85% of Way.com users in the US would not cancel their travel plans these holidays. Well, this is a good sign for the airports and airline companies. Though most health experts say that holiday travel this year is your personal choice, you still need to be very careful while traveling.
What to follow while traveling from the US
If you’re ready to go on a holiday trip, you must ensure holiday travel safety while traveling. You must be aware of certain things while flying between the US states and traveling to international destinations.
Rules to follow while traveling between US states
There are no vaccine, testing, or quarantine necessities while traveling within the country now. But, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires all passengers above two years of age to wear masks while flying on an airline. Be aware that the different states and many cities within the states have their own rules about masks, vaccines, or testing requirements for events like indoor dining. Though vaccination isn’t mandatory, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines urge people to delay their travel plans until they are fully vaccinated.
Holiday travel safety tips to follow before traveling in the US
- Ensure to check the present COVID-19 situation at the destination.
- Know about the state and local travel restrictions, including mask, vaccination, testing, or quarantine requirements.
- Check whether if the airline has set any rules about vaccination, testing, or other documents.
- The restrictions or state policies may change during your travel. So always be flexible to change your travel plans.
- Get a viral test 1-3 days before travel if you haven’t completed your vaccination.
How to be safe during travel in the US
- Properly wear masks and strictly follow all state and local health rules and requirements while at the destination. Always stay six feet away from others.
- Travelers aged two years or above should wear masks in indoor public areas.
- Though wearing a mask isn’t mandatory outdoors, you should wear a mask while visiting areas with many COVID-19 cases.
- Don’t forget to wash your hands regularly. Or sanitize in regular intervals.
What to do after holiday travels
It is also important to be safe after travel. You may be exposed to coronavirus during travel. Though you may feel good, there is a chance that you are infected and act as a carrier. So, follow these recommendations by the CDC to keep yourself and others safe after travel.
- Undergo self-isolation and undergo a test upon returning.
- Strictly follow all the state and local recommendations.
- If you’re not fully vaccinated, do a viral test within 3-5 days after travel. Even if tested negative, undergo self-quarantine for a minimum of seven days. Undergo self-quarantine for ten days if you’re not testing.
- If you test positive, undergo self-isolation to protect others.
Rules while traveling internationally from the US
The CDC guidelines recommend that you not have international travel if you’re not vaccinated. Many countries have different criteria for vaccination and testing. So, it is wise to choose your destination based on the criteria if you’re particular about traveling. For instance, Mexico doesn’t demand a vaccination or testing proof for your entry. At the same time, international travelers need to be vaccinated and show a COVID-19 negative test result while visiting Canada. Countries like Israel, Japan, and Morocco have closed their borders to international travelers. The rules and regulations of all countries can change at any time. So, always check the official government website when planning to travel. However, health experts recommend that it is best to avoid international travel if you’re not fully vaccinated.
Holiday travel safety tips to follow before international travel
- Ensure to check the COVID-19 situation at your destination.
- Strictly follow all the requirements and guidelines set by the airlines and at your destination. If your airline requires proof of vaccination, testing, or other documents, do carry it.
- Get a viral test 1-3 days before travel if you haven’t completed your vaccination.
How to be safe during international travel
- Properly wear the mask during the entire trip.
- Strictly follow the rules at your destination. Always try to stay six feet away from others.
- Don’t forget to wash your hands regularly. Or sanitize at regular intervals.
Holiday travel safety tips after international travel
- Do a COVID-19 test within 3-5 days after travel.
- Monitor yourself and undergo self-isolation if you’re symptomatic.
- Strictly follow all state and local rules and recommendations after travel.
- If you’re not fully vaccinated, do a viral test within 3-5 days after travel. Even if tested negative, undergo self-quarantine for a minimum of seven days. Undergo self-quarantine for ten days if you’re not planning to get tested.
- If you test positive, undergo self-isolation to protect others.
Some general holiday travel safety tips that you must follow
The majority of 43 people infected with the Omicron variant in the US had mild symptoms. Surprisingly, all these people were vaccinated, with 14 already taking their booster doses. According to some researchers, Delta is still the main variant in the country. So, it is always safe to prevent getting infected to have a pleasant trip. Here are some holiday travel safety tips that you could follow before the trip.
Get your vaccination at the earliest
Vaccination doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get infected. But you must complete your vaccination cycle before the trip. If vaccinated, get your booster dose at the earliest. Booster doses are said to offer you the best protection against the virus.
Make sure to do testing
It is a must that you do a test before the trip, even if you’ve completed vaccination. Health experts say that PCR or rapid antigen testing methods can identify the Omicron variant. Ensure you undergo any test around 1-2 days before the trip.
Wear masks indoors too
Always wear a mask indoors if you haven’t completed your vaccination. But, which mask to use? Well, three-ply cloth masks or surgical masks are sure to protect you and stop spreading infectious particles from the wearer. However, with the new variant posing a threat to your plans, it is best to wear an N95 or KN95 respirator. Ensure that you wear an N95 or KN95 respirator in crowded indoor spaces.
Keep some at-home test kits
Having some at-home test kits while on a trip will always be useful. There are around 13 home-based COVID-19 tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These are hard to find in most of the stores. So, better buy the kits in advance.
When should I avoid travel?
- Cancel your trip if you’re sick.
- If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, your isolation period is ongoing.
- Avoid traveling if you’re exposed to coronavirus. Still, you can travel if you’ve completed your vaccination or recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
- Don’t travel if you’re waiting for your test result. Suppose the result turns positive while you’re on the trip. In that case, you and your companions need to isolate and postpone the return journey.
Holiday travel safety tips
- Traveling by car is the safest option right now. But, it isn’t feasible with international destinations. So, complete your vaccination, do tests, and wear masks properly while traveling by air. If you can reach the destination by car, then choose to drive.
- If you’re planning a trip with family or friends, strictly avoid holiday parties before it.
- Always follow the regulations and guidelines set by the CDC for domestic and international travel.
Gerard Stevens is an experienced writer specializing in travel and car ownership in the U.S. With over five years in this field, he strives to simplify travel and driving for his readers. Gerard offers valuable guidance on various topics, including car and travel guides, helping his audience feel more confident in navigating these challenges.
