Vaccinated? You Can Travel, You’re ‘Low-Risk,’ But Should Wear Mask, Per CDC

Americans who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can travel "at low risk to themselves" in the United States and internationally, but they must continue to take precautions to avoid spreading the virus (including wearing a mask) federal health officials said today, according to The New York Times. It's worth mentioning that some countries still consider the United States a high-risk country. For instance, to go to Barbados, you must still quarantine at an approved hotel or resort until you get a second COVID test and negative result. The quarantine is a minimum of five nights. You must also wear an electronic tracking bracelet. Check the different restrictions that different countries have here.

While new virus cases, hospitalizations and new deaths have declined significantly (to slightly under 900 a day), new infections have remained at a level that health officials say is too high to relax restrictions too much. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters at a White House news conference on Friday that Americans should not travel unless they absolutely must.

"On the one hand, we are telling you we are worried about rising cases, to wear a mask, and to avoid travel," Dr. Walensky said. "Yet on the other hand we are saying that if you are vaccinated, evolving data suggests that traveling is likely lower risk." This is because vaccinated people may still become infected with the virus, and they can carry it, even if they don't get sick.

The CDC says that Americans still need to have a negative COVID test before getting on a flight back to the U.S. and they  should also get a test again from three to five days after returning home.

People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or two weeks after receiving the second dose of the two-dose regimen from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.