With travel restrictions easing in many areas of the world, a return to our “normal” travel habits is finally (finally!) on the horizon. But that doesn’t mean we’re headed for a total summer vacation free-for-all — nope, not even if you’re fully vaccinated. Here’s what you should keep in mind before booking a summer trip along with the smartest destinations to increase your chances of staying safe.
Before you book…
First, the good news: If you are fully vaccinated, you can officially travel within the continental United States without having to get a COVID test or self-quarantine, per the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But remember, even if you’re vaccinated, COVID still poses a slight risk. So, we asked doctors what to weigh when you’re making your travel plans this summer.
- Check local travel guidelines.
If you’re heading out of the country, you’ll need to carefully research your destination’s travel restrictions. You might need proof of vaccine, a negative COVID test before departure or upon arrival (or both), and might still have to quarantine.
- Check local case rates and safety mandates.
Some areas are handling COVID cases better than others. “If you are coming from or going somewhere that has high levels of case rates, then you could potentially transmit the virus and also bring it back and give it to a loved one who is at severe risk of illness,” says Dr. Abisola Olulade, a board-certified family medicine physician affiliated with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group in San Diego, California. “You should also remember that if you are going somewhere with high cases of coronavirus then there may be limited resources to take care of you if you do get severely ill on your trip.”
- Travel as directly as possible.
Fewer major travel hubs, mean less exposure. “Try getting on direct flights and try to minimize the amount of time you spend in airports and high traffic areas or mass transportation,” says Dr. Erika Schwartz, M.D., a physician in New York. Maybe you road trip instead of fly, or rent a car rather than rely on public transit once you arrive.
- Take precautions.
“At this point in the vaccination stage, it’s reasonable to think that some portion of adults at a venue are vaccinated and some are not, and to proceed accordingly,” says Dr. Sachin Nagrani, M.D., Medical Director of Heal. That includes airports and pretty much any other transit hub you pass through. “I would plan post-vaccine travel in the same way you would have planned pre-vaccine travel. Wear your mask, have back-up masks available, practice social distancing, carry hand sanitizer, or wash your hands where possible,” says Dr. Vivek Cherian, M.D., an internal medicine physician affiliated with the University of Maryland Medical System.
Where to head
Ultimately, this may not be the summer for the marathon, country-hopping trip you’ve been planning for ages. “Knowing what the status of your destination is should help you decide if the trip is worth it at this time,” says Dr. Schwartz. “Sometimes waiting will keep more people safe and it may be time for us all to put our fellow travelers and people in general ahead of ourselves.” But you can still have a much-needed stress-relieving vacation. Here are four of the safest places to travel right now.
The British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands are one of the most postcard-perfect destinations in the Caribbean. Cerulean waters, gorgeous resorts and spas, and world-famous cocktails — the islands are basically the perfect place to relax after a year of quarantine anxiety. They also happen to be one of the few countries on the CDC’s low-risk international travel list. Borders are currently open (though vaccinated travelers will still need to follow guidelines).
Wyoming
Throughout the pandemic, national parks saw a big spike in travel — no surprise given the relative safety of being outdoors and ample opportunities to cash in on the stress-reducing benefits of forest bathing. Wyoming is home to Yellowstone National Park where you can do everything from hike to horseback ride, to take a photography workshop. Despite not having a statewide mask mandate, Wyoming has maintained low COVID rates since February.
Iceland
Iceland, with its epically beautiful otherworldly landscapes, has become a top travel destination in recent years thanks to increasing numbers of direct flights to Reykjavik. The country has maintained a low number of cases and deaths throughout the pandemic and they’ve just reopened their borders to fully vaccinated U.S. travelers.
Rhode Island
If you’re aching for a carefree seaside New England summer, Rhode Island (a great road trip destination) is maintaining low case rates, and nearly 40 percent of its population is already fully vaccinated, per the New York Times. Check out Newport, which has a perfect mix of upscale resorts and beachy Airbnbs.
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