Return to travel motivates many to get COVID-19 vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance to say fully vaccinated people can travel within the U.S. without getting tested for the coronavirus or going into quarantine afterward.

That comes as good news to Kaila Hardin, who got her vaccine Friday morning at Bible Way Temple in southeast Raleigh.

"I like to travel a lot, so that is kind of my main reason," she told WRAL News.

When she is ready to fly, Hardin will join tens of thousands of others who've contributed to a boom in air travel over the past month.

"This time last year, our passenger traffic was down 97 percent, and now we are closer to about 60 percent,” said Stephanie Hawco, spokeswoman for Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Kim Morris was set to take off Friday for the first time since the pandemic began.

"Since I have gotten my vaccine, I feel somewhat safe," she said.

“If you are vaccinated, it is lower risk,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said.

According to the CDC, more than 100 million people in the U.S. — or about 30% of the population — have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose.

The agency has said it would update its guidance on allowed activities for vaccinated people as more people get the shots and evidence mounts about the protection they provide.

For people who haven't been fully vaccinated, the CDC is sticking to its recommendation to avoid unnecessary travel. If they do travel, the agency says to get tested one to three days before the trip, and three to five days after. People should also stay home and quarantine for seven days after travel, even if their COVID-19 test is negative, the agency says.

According to data through Thursday from Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. is averaging 66,000 daily new cases this past week, up from 55,000 two weeks ago.

The new guidance says:

— Fully vaccinated people can travel within the U.S., without getting tested for the coronavirus or quarantining. People should still wear a mask, socially distance and avoid crowds, the agency says.

— For international travel, the agency says vaccinated people do not need to get a COVID-19 test before leaving, unless the destination country requires it.

— For travelers coming into the U.S., vaccinated people should still get a negative COVID-19 test before boarding a flight, and be tested three to five days after arrival. They do not need to quarantine. The agency noted the potential introduction of virus variants and differences in vaccine coverage around the world for the cautious guidance on overseas travel.

Airlines do not require COVID-19 tests or proof of vaccination for travel in the U.S.; a few states have testing or quarantine rules for travelers.