Travel

Travel's risk comes in what you do, not where you go, experts say as governments try to contain omicron variant

The discovery of a new COVID-19 variant and the quick response by countries around the globe to close their borders to certain visitors could mean yet another delay for those planning long-awaited trips.

Posted Updated

By
Matt Talhelm
, WRAL reporter
The discovery of a new COVID-19 variant and the quick response by countries around the globe to close their borders to certain visitors could mean yet another delay for those planning long-awaited trips.

While the omicron travel restrictions don't apply to U.S. citizens, WRAL News heard from a family whose African safari turned into a logistics nightmare as they struggled to return home even as new restrictions were being announced.

Lauren Kennedy-Brady and family ended their safari and were staying in Johannesburg, South Africa, waiting to board a flight home – a flight with a layover in Paris – when the European Union announced it would not take flights from South Africa. It didn't matter that Kennedy-Brady and family are United States citizens with an ultimate destination of Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The first leg of their travel was canceled, sending them scrambling to find a direct flight to the U.S.

"The game keeps changing, and we are just trying to keep a level head and trying to keep our patience in tact," Kennedy-Brady said just hours before she was scheduled to board a direct flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta.

President Biden said there are no plans to expand restrictions on travel to the U.S. beyond eight countries in Africa. But that is little comfort to those holding international tickets for the holidays or into 2022.

Lauren Doyle, president of The Travel Mechanic, has been busy booking and re-booking dream escapes for clients as COVID rules and risks change.

"We have no control over borders opening, closing or anything, so we have to prepare," she said.

Doyle is closely monitoring the latest travel restrictions and working with a couple who just booked a safari similar to the one Kennedy-Brady and family took.

"They’re spending two weeks all over South Africa and doing bucket-list types of experiences," she said. "We’ll have to see what happens."

Dr. David Weber of UNC Health tells WRAL News that travel restrictions will only slow omicron's arrival in the states.

"It’s a delaying tactic. It’s not going to prevent eventual transmission into the U.S.," he said.

He urges travelers to take precautions, whether jetting off on a safari or flying home for the holidays.

"If you wear your mask and practice good protection, then you will be largely safe. It’s what you do where you go that puts you at risk," he said.

"It is a risk," Dolye said of the omicron variant, "but not a risk that you should let fear guide you."

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