The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new guidelines for travelers, providing updated recommendations for those looking to travel within the United States and abroad.

According to the CDC, travelers who are fully vaccinated can safely travel within the United States without getting tested for COVID-19 before or after their trip, and they do not need to self-quarantine upon returning. However, the CDC still recommends that vaccinated travelers wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and wash their hands frequently to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19.

For international travel, fully vaccinated travelers are also not required to get tested before departing the United States unless their destination requires it. However, they will need to show a negative test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight back to the United States.

Unvaccinated travelers, on the other hand, are still strongly advised by the CDC to get tested for COVID-19 one to three days before travel within the United States and again three to five days after returning. In addition, unvaccinated travelers should self-quarantine for seven days after travel if they get tested and for 10 days if they do not get tested.

For international travel, unvaccinated travelers should get tested one to three days before their flight and again three to five days after their return, and they should also self-quarantine for seven days after travel.

The CDC emphasizes that regardless of vaccination status, all travelers should continue to follow public health guidelines, including wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, and maintaining social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

These new guidelines come as more Americans are getting vaccinated and as the travel industry continues to rebound from the impact of the pandemic. As more people start to consider traveling again, these updated recommendations aim to provide clear and comprehensive guidance to help travelers make informed decisions about their trips.