CDC advises against non-essential travel for COVID-19 vaccinated individuals

The new guidance is based on the U.S. vaccination rate and science that’s uncertain whether vaccinated people can still spread COVID-19.

News 12 Staff

Mar 9, 2021, 11:39 AM

Updated 1,370 days ago

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As News 12 has reported, the CDC has released new guidelines for people who are fully vaccinated, but one thing that isn't changing is health officials are still urging against travel.
"Every time that there is a surge in travel, we have a surge of cases,” says Dr. Rochelle Walensky, a CDC director.
The CDC is asking people to avoid non-essential travel, and some medical experts say they understand why.
"I think the concern is this wouldn't be considered a low-risk situation because you could encounter a lot of different people," says Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN chief medical correspondent. However, others are not on board.  "So this is one of these examples where I think the CDC is being far overly cautious in a way that defies common sense. It just doesn't make sense that you can't travel especially if you now can get together with loved ones,” says Dr. Leana Wen, former Baltimore city health commissioner.  Airlines for America, an industry group, is pushing back, saying heavily filtered air and masks make it less likely for the virus to spread on planes.
The TSA says nearly 1.3 million people passed through airport security checkpoints Sunday, the highest level since Jan. 3.
The new guidance is based on the U.S. vaccination rate and science that’s uncertain whether vaccinated people can still spread COVID-19.
"My guess is we're going to hear looser recommendations around things like travel," says Gupta.