As the Canadian government continues to waffle on any travel rulings, the U.S. CDC is moving ahead with detailed guidance for Americans planning to travel at home or abroad.
Those measures may provide an indication as to what’s in store for Canada.
On Wednesday, the CDC provided new advice for both domestic and international travel that elaborated on its APR guidance that it was safe for vaccinated Americans to travel. It’s not quite the free-for-all some observers initially interpreted it as.
“Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19,” the advice says.
“The CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated,” with “an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization.” That hints at a future where a form of standardization is implemented, which world leaders are already discussing.
For travellers not yet fully vaccinated, travel guidance includes testing and self-quarantine measures.
The American health authority specifies that to be fully vaccinated, travellers must receive their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks prior to travelling. Those fully vaccinated travellers do not need to be tested before travel or on arrival “unless their destination requires it.”
There are, however, additional details specific to international travel.
Travellers don’t need to get tested before departing the U.S., but should, “get tested 3-5 days after travel” in destination.
Returning travellers will not be required to self-quarantine once back in the States.
While travelling, the CDC calls for travellers to wear a (non-specified type of) mask over nose and mouth, wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer, as well as maintain six feet of separation from other people.
In addition, it acknowledges local restrictions may vary, advising travellers to, “follow state and local recommendations and requirements for their destination and along their route.”
These updated American guidelines may give Canadians hints about what our own resumption of travel could look like – certainly for travel in the States.
