Omicron and Vacation Journey: 12 of the Most Urgent Questions
Vacation travel suddenly feels tense as the world waits for new information on the portability and virulence of the new variant of the coronavirus. Scientists are trying to determine if current vaccines offer protection against Omicron, but many families and other travelers now may need to consider a variety of factors before heading out to see relatives or a change of scenery.
“You have to make informed decisions again,” says Kathy Risse, a pediatrician in Seattle. But unlike last year’s vacation time, Dr. Cracks, “we know so much more about stopping the transmission, and widespread testing is ongoing.”
For those planning a trip, the basic safeguards – vaccinations, masks, and social distancing – all help to make the trip safer. Here are the answers to 12 of the most urgent travel questions for now.
What travel rules apply when we travel to another state?
There are currently no vaccination, testing, or quarantine requirements for travel within the United States, whether you are flying, driving, or taking the train. But the Transportation Security Administration still requires masks for passengers aged 2 and over on airplanes, trains, and buses. Different states, and even cities within states, may have their own mask, testing, or vaccine requirements for activities such as indoor eating. Local health authority websites or the AARP website are good starting points for researching a state’s coronavirus rules.
Do I have to be vaccinated in Germany?
Again, no, but CDC guidelines recommend people postpone travel until they are fully vaccinated.
Can we still go abroad?
The CDC’s current guidelines do not recommend international travel if you are not vaccinated. When you decide to travel abroad, things can get complicated: the rules and guidelines for your desired travel destination may differ from those in the United States. Take Mexico, one of the most popular destinations for US travelers. The country does not require vaccinations or tests to enter the country regardless of the nationality of the traveler, while other countries like Japan, Israel and Morocco have recently closed their borders to non-citizens. To visit Canada, foreign visitors must provide proof of vaccination and negative results from a PCR or nucleic acid test. (Unvaccinated children can accompany vaccinated adults to Canada, but must follow certain protocols, including health questionnaires and a virus test.)
The rules for these and other countries are subject to change at any time, so it is best to check the official government websites as your travel date approaches. The Times updates a list of countries open to US citizens, and the CDC maintains a list of global Covid hotspots.
Do you need to be vaccinated to fly internationally?
Again, it’s complicated. When traveling overseas from the United States, vaccination requirements depend on your travel destination. The U.S. embassy websites are good sources of information, as are the country’s tourist and health pages for your desired travel destination. Age requirements may also vary depending on the travel destination.
US citizens do not need to be vaccinated to return to the United States, but most adult overseas travelers do. See the CDC website for exceptions. Children under the age of 18 are exempt from the compulsory vaccination.
What are the testing requirements for adults and children flying to the United States?
The United States recently changed the timing of their compulsory testing to re-enter the country. Travelers now have to submit a negative virus test result within one day of departure, instead of the previous three days for vaccinated pilots. This applies to all travelers from 2 years of age, regardless of nationality or vaccination status.
It is important to note that the requirement is “one day”, not “24 hours”. For example, on a flight that departs at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, the test must be taken at any time on Saturday or any time on Sunday. This gives airmen more flexibility in planning their test for each day before the flight or on the day of the flight, rather than scheduling a night test for a flight the next evening.
Should we bring some test kits to take home?
Not a bad idea. The Food and Drug Administration has approved 13 home Covid tests, and families may want to take some with them on the trip to use if someone has a runny nose or cough, or just before arriving at Grandma’s. They can be hard to find in stores or limited to one or two per customer. So don’t leave this job to the last minute.
Family members can have different levels of tolerance for risk, and home testing can help people relax and enjoy each other’s company, said Dr. Cracks, “because while it’s imperfect, it offers another layer of protection.”
The CDC determines which tests are permitted for entry into the United States. Self-tests for the virus are fine if there is an accompanying telemedicine service that provides “real-time remote monitoring via an audio and video connection”. Your hotel or local family members may be able to advise you of other testing options in the country – for example in clinics or pharmacies.
What are the vaccination regulations on cruise ships?
The rules vary depending on the cruise line. Disney cruises require passengers 12 and older to be vaccinated, but this age will be increased to 5 years from January 13th. Children under 5 must have a negative virus test within three days of departure. Princess Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line only welcome vaccinated travelers 5 years and older. Currently, children under 5 are not allowed on board. At Royal Caribbean, guests aged 12 and over must be vaccinated.
Additional requirements may apply to cruises docking in other countries. For example, travelers boarding a cruise in Barbados must download the BIMsafe app and follow the instructions. The best thing to do is to inquire about the current rules and protocols for a particular voyage from each shipping company.
Cruise lines are concerned that “their entire image as an industry is at stake,” said Lynn Minnaert, clinical associate professor at New York University’s Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality. “They take vaccinations and testing seriously, so passengers who consider the risks and use common sense precautions should have a safe experience.”
The CDC recommends that people who are unvaccinated or at serious risk of disease, regardless of vaccination status, avoid traveling on cruise lines around the world, including river cruises.
Can we go to theme parks?
Theme parks must follow state rules. Disneyland, California and Disney World, Florida require guests 2 years and older to wear masks indoors, in conduits, and in closed transit unless they are actively eating or drinking. Universal Studios in Florida recommend masking indoors, but they have no coronavirus-focused guest requirements.
Will my child be fully protected after receiving two doses of vaccine?
Fully vaccinated, as defined by the CDC as two weeks after the second dose, is not the same as fully protected. Breakthrough cases do occur but are generally mild. Scientists are still studying in-depth data to see if the vaccines protect against the Omicron variant. In the meantime, the advice of the CDC continues to apply: Children 5 years and older should receive the vaccine to protect them and those around them from Covid-19 disease.
How can I help my child wear the mask when traveling?
Wearing a mask on a young child while traveling can be a challenge for both children and parents. Here are some ideas to help your child stick to the rule: Practice wearing a mask together days or weeks before the flight so they get used to the feeling. Go slow and don’t make a fight out of it. Try different masks for comfort and fit. You can bring a variety of masks that you can “change into” for fun, or have a matching mask for a stuffed animal. If your child becomes restless during the flight, stay as calm as possible because they will take away their emotional cues from you. And consider resorting to bribery – more screen time or bring small wrapped gifts that they can open every time they’ve worn the mask for a while.
Should we settle down between our tests and our trips?
It can’t hurt, especially if you’re traveling to live with elderly or immunocompromised relatives, regardless of their vaccination status.
Shall we still go?
“Families come to me and ask ‘yes’ or ‘no’ whether they should travel because they are tired of doing the daily risk assessment,” says pediatrician Dr. Cracks. But every family must make their own travel decision based on the importance of their trip, protecting family members, and trusting fellow travelers to adhere to masking and social distancing rules that keep people safe. They also need to be aware of the number of cases in their destination and the exposure of their potential activities. That means eating indoors in a restaurant or staying in a hotel instead of a private residence.
Vivek Garg, chief medical officer of the elderly primary care business of health insurer Humana, encourages travel when CDC guidelines are followed. “It is important for the mental health of everyone, especially older adults, that we meet with friends and family,” said Dr. Garg.
