A man wearing his mask on a plane.

Add These COVID Travel Tips to Your Vacation Checklist

Who would have known that almost a year and a half ago we would never think, feel or travel the same way again? None of us could have predicted the future and how our lives would be changed, but it’s important for us to adapt and stay up to date on what the requirements are if we want to ever go back to our pre-pandemic lives.

If you have been fully vaccinated, which means that it has been two weeks since your last dose of your vaccine, then there is no need to get tested before you travel within the United States. It is important to check your travel destination for their rules and travel restrictions. For information on different U.S. states or territories, click here to learn their specific COVID-19 rules for travel. Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens do not need to be tested after returning home from traveling. There is also no need to self-quarantine according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Even if fully vaccinated, it is important to still stay six feet from others not from your household, wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth with a secure fit around your face and washing or sanitizing your hands often.

The CDC recommends delaying all travel until you are fully vaccinated

The CDC recommends delaying all travel until you are fully vaccinated, but if you are traveling, the CDC has several recommendations to follow. Unvaccinated travelers should be tested one to three days prior to their trip. Travelers can visit their nearest LCMC Health Urgent Care center to be tested for COVID-19. The CDC also recommends that unvaccinated travelers should be test three to five days after returning home from their trip and quarantining for seven days. If they wish to not be tested, the CDC recommends self-quarantine for 10 days and staying away from high-risk individuals, such as those who are diabetic, immunocompromised, pregnant or older adults for 14 days.

“For a lot of airlines, hotels and destinations they required you to be tested before arrival. Different companies require different types of COVID-19 tests, so make sure you know which test you need so you can plan accordingly.”

Dr. Kevin DiBenedetto

When asking our Chief Medical Director at Premier Health, Kevin DiBenedetto, MD, on his recommendations for traveling he suggests, “First and foremost get vaccinated and even if you are vaccinated you should still wear a mask.” He went on to say, “for a lot of airlines, hotels and destinations they required you to be tested before arrival. Different companies require different types of COVID-19 tests, so make sure you know which test you need so you can plan accordingly.”

Prior to getting tested, please check your airline, as well as your destination requirements. LCMC Health Urgent Care provides COVID-19 Rapid testing with results in 15 minutes. Many airlines accept the Rapid results. We also provide the COVID-19 PCR send out test if your airline or destination requires a PCR. Please keep in mind the PCR results can take up to 5-7 days.

For more information regarding LCMC Health Urgent Care’s COVID-19 services, visit our COVID-19 Information page.