Disease Dept. scraps test, quarantine for vaccinated US travelers

Washington, Apr 2 (efe-epa).- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that people who have been vaccinated can travel within the United States without having to present a negative Covid -19 test or undergoing quarantine.

In a statement, the center’s Director Rochelle Walensky told Americans “to get vaccinated as soon as they get the chance.”

For vaccinated travelers, however, the center recommended continuing to wear a mask, follow social distancing measures and wash hands.

“Fully vaccinated people can travel within the United States and do not need to undergo Covid-19 testing or post-trip self-quarantine, as long as they continue to take Covid-19 precautions while traveling: wear a mask, avoid crowds, social distancing and frequent hand washing,” the center said.

Those who have been immunized can also travel internationally without taking a Covid-19 test, unless required at their destination, the statement added.

Vaccinated travelers returning to the country do not need to be quarantined upon return, except as required by state or local regulations.

Fully vaccinated travelers wishing to enter the US must test negative for the disease and take a test within three to five days of entering the country.

The US remains the country most affected by the pandemic, with a cumulative 30 million confirmed cases resulting in 553,979 deaths, according to the independent count from Johns Hopkins University.

Between Thursday and Friday, the United States added 895 deaths and 67,304 new infections.

CDC figures indicate that 57.9 million Americans, 17.5 percent of the population, have been fully vaccinated, while about 102 million people have received at least one dose, representing 30.7 percent of citizens. EFE-EPA

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