If an individual has been vaccinated and has no COVID symptoms, they should be able to travel. As long as they are willing to abide by COVID rules and regulations, there should be no stopping people from seeing family or just traveling for leisure.
The COVID pandemic has been going on for well over a year now. Many have worked from home, not seeing anyone aside from those they live with in constant fear of contracting the virus.
Almost two years later, things are quickly changing due to a vast majority of people getting vaccinated. Businesses have reopened and life is somewhat “normal” again. We are able to go to bars, restaurants and other places and sit inside. Concerts and sporting events are happening again, so what is the stigma behind travel?
According to the CDC website, if someone is fully vaccinated, it is safe for them to travel. The site states that “people who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization can travel safely within the United States”.
If the CDC, the source many have been looking to and trusting to steer us in the correct direction, states that travel is safe then we should believe that.
The CDC also states that if someone is not fully vaccinated, then they should not travel internationally. The CDC, however, recommends checking the safety regulations to the place in which you are traveling.
Knowing this, it is clear that being vaccinated is the responsible and most convenient way to ensure travel is safe.
Similarly, rules from The National Law Review are as follows: starting Nov. 8, all adult foreign national (i.e. non-immigrant, non-citizen) travelers are required to prove that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as well as provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of flying to the US.
The National Law Review also shared, “U.S citizens and permanent residents who are not fully vaccinated, or who cannot provide proof of full vaccination, will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 1 day of boarding a flight to the United States”. This is important to stop the rise of infections from lack of enforcing vaccination or testing policies.
The CDC and The National Law Review are claiming travel is safe when done in a safe manner. Many people believe that travel is selfish at this time or irresponsible considering all of the loss many have experienced from COVID. An understandable point, but now with more people getting vaccinated and more safety precautions in play, travel is safer.
If a person is responsible enough to get fully vaccinated, wear their mask and follow all other regulations, then traveling should not be something people receive judgement for.
According to a safety guide from the New York Times, experts explain that airplanes are well ventilated and not a major source of outbreaks. Even taking off your mask on the airplane to eat or drink is safe if you are fully vaccinated.
Currently, proof of vaccination is not required to fly out of Long Beach Airport, although a negative test is required and a mask mandate is currently active.
Long Beach Airport’s Hawaiian Airlines “offers two drive-thru COVID-19 testing options so that travelers may bypass the State of Hawaii’s quarantine … as of July 8, travelers may also bypass the quarantine by providing proof of vaccination.”
With all of these credible sources sharing that travel is safe for the fully vaccinated, society should begin to trust that life can not be on hold forever. With the holidays fast approaching people should be aware that travel is indeed, safe.