Are you looking to take a vacation soon? With COVID-19 still very much an issue nationally and internationally, your travel plans might have an extra layer of red tape to cross. It is your responsibility to select the proper COVID test type and get tested at the proper time. However, COVID testing requirements vary by destination. Read on for information about when and why to get a test before vacationing inside the USA and abroad.
Should I Get Tested Before And After Traveling?
COVID restrictions vary by state and region within the USA. Nevertheless, if you plan on traveling within our US borders, your home might have more or less risk of transmission for several reasons. These include the percentage of vaccinated persons, population density, and variability of masked individuals.
To avoid any added stress, you should test yourself before you travel if you think you might have been exposed, just in case you unknowingly bring COVID with you to your destination. In addition, as a tourist in a different city, state, or country, you are bringing new exposure risk with you to another community. It is a kind gesture to test yourself to ensure the safety of the community you are visiting, as well as for your own ease of mind.
What about Post-Travel?
According to the CDC, unless it’s a travel requirement, it is not mandatory to get tested or self-quarantine before travel (within the USA) if you are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in the past three months. However, it would be best if you considered your chance of exposure while vacationing. Upon returning, it’s wise to opt for a test if you have been in close proximity to others. Doing so could benefit your community and provide another layer of protection from covid-spread. In addition, testing right after your vacation can protect your loved ones and extended community while also giving you an extra bit of time to unwind post-travel.
When To Get Tested Before Travel
The CDC says that you should get tested 1-3 days before your trip and highly recommends suspending all foreign or domestic travel until fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends taking either a NAAT or antigen test, both of which can be found at pharmacies and local health authority locations near you.
Do I need to get tested if I travel Internationally?
The short answer is yes.
Depending on where you are traveling to, you might have different restrictions on the timing of your negative result. Several countries are restricting tourists based on their ability to produce a negative COVID test within a varying time frame. For example, if you plan to visit Nicaragua, you must obtain a negative PCR test within the last 72 hours from your arrival to the country. To travel by plane, AeroMexico provides their passengers with the ability to upload their negative PCR test between 72 and 36 hours of their flight. Similar restrictions are in place for most countries, though you might be allowed up to a week.