The Health Department of Northwest Michigan is reminding spring break travelers of COVID-19 safety tips.
Health officials state that whether you are traveling on a cruise ship, traveling in the U.S. or traveling internationally, the CDC has tools and resources available to make your trip as safe and healthy as possible.
Moreover, the CDC offers details on travel requirements for your destination, along with mask requirements, vaccine requirements and more on their website.
According to the CDC, you should not travel if:
- You are sick, even if you recovered from COVID-19 within the past 90 days or are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
- You tested positive for COVID-19.
- Do not travel until a full 10 days after your symptoms started or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms.
- You are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test.
- You had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and are recommended to quarantine.
- Do not travel until a full 5 days after your last close contact with the person with COVID-19. It is best to avoid travel for a full 10 days after your last exposure.
- If you must travel during days 6 through 10 after your last exposure:
- Get testedat least 5 days after your last close contact. Make sure your test result is negative and you remain without symptoms before traveling. If you don’t get tested, avoid travel until a full 10 days after your last close contact with a person with COVID-19.
- Properly wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others for the entire duration of travel during days 6 through 10. If you are unable to wear a mask, you should not travel during days 6 through 10.
If you had close contact with a person with COVID-19, but are NOT recommended to quarantine:
- Get tested at least 5 days after your last close contact. Make sure your test result is negative and you remain without symptoms before traveling.
- If you had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days, you do NOT need to get tested, but you should still follow all other recommendations (including if you develop COVID-19 symptoms).
- If you travel during the 10 days after your last exposure, properly wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others for the entire duration of travel during the 10 days. If you are unable to wear a mask, you should not travel during the 10 days.
The CDC’s new COVID-19 Community Levels recommendations do not change current travel requirements. This includes the requirement to wear masks on public transportation and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports.
“Travelers should heed safety guidelines before they leave on a trip and upon returning home,” said Lisa Peacock, Health Officer with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. “Taking precautions will help assure you are healthy to travel, stay well during your vacation, and return in good health to share stories about your adventures with family and friends. Testing is widely available in most areas with quick turnaround time to meet any requirements you may encounter and is also a tool you can use after vacation to assure you have returned healthy.”
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan offers COVID-19 vaccination clinics across their four-county jurisdiction of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego Counties.
Additionally, the health department offers testing clinics with quick turnaround results. No symptoms or doctor’s order is necessary, and all ages are welcome with no appointment needed.
