Forbes
CDC: 6 Questions To Ask Before You Travel Within The U.S.
By: Suzanne Rowan Kelleher
Still on the fence about an upcoming trip? The CDC has put together a handy list of things to consider before you travel.
One obvious consideration is whether you’re traveling to or from a destination that is impacted by the coronavirus. The entire United States is now under a Level 2 Risk Assessment for travel, though some states and regions are more affected than others.
The CDC has created an interactive map of the United States that is updated every weekday at noon. As of March 15, 2020, this is the map.
The CDC's map of reported cases in the United States as of March 15.
Here are six questions the CDC is asking Americans to consider before traveling:
Is COVID-19 spreading where you’re going?
If COVID-19 is spreading at your destination, but not where you live, you may be at higher risk of exposure if you travel there.
As of now, the CDC has identified three states where COVID-19 is spreading through community transmission: Washington, California and New York. These are the highest-risk destinations.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are zero reported cases in West Virginia, the only state with no coronavirus as of today. But that could change quickly. Keeping up with statistics is virtually impossible, since testing is not yet available in most places.
To wit: Since the CDC map was last updated at noon on Friday, it is already out of date. Three states that had no reported cases last week now have at least one. Alabama now has at least 12 reported cases, Idaho has at least five, and Alaska has at least one confirmed case.
For most states, the CDC has not yet determined whether the virus is spreading through community transmission but this is also a fluid situation. One truth to consider: The numbers are going up everywhere.
If your trip is not essential, consider the atmosphere you may encounter in your destination. State and local governments around the country are temporarily shutting down libraries, cancelling events and closing museums and top tourist attractions. Hundreds of colleges and schools around the country have cancelled in-person classes and moved to online teaching in an effort to stop the spread of the illness.
Is COVID-19 spreading where you live?
If you live in an area where COVID-19 is spreading, you need to consider the risk of passing the virus to others during travel, particularly if you will be in close contact with older adults or people who have severe a chronic health condition. Even if you are asymptomatic, you may be infectious.
Will you or your travel companions be in close contact with others during your trip?
Your risk of exposure to COVID-19 is greater in crowded settings, particularly indoor or closed-in settings with little air circulation, because there may be people in the crowd who are carrying the virus.
According to the CDC, this includes settings such as:
- conferences
- public events like concerts and sporting events
- religious gatherings
- indoor public spaces like movie theaters and shopping malls
- public transportation like buses, subways, trains and planes
The New York Times is one of many outlets that is maintaining a list of major public events that have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Are you or your travel companions at higher risk of severe illness if you do get COVID-19?
Older adults are at higher risk for severe disease. The same is true for people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes. The CDC recommends that people in these categories avoid all cruise travel and nonessential air travel.
Do you have a plan for taking time off from work or school, in case you get exposed to, or are sick with, COVID-19?
If you choose to travel and have close contact with someone that has COVID-19, you may be asked to self-quarantine for up to 14 days after travel. If you become sick with COVID-19, you may be unable to go to work or school for several weeks until you are considered noninfectious.
Do you live with someone who is older or has a severe chronic health condition?
Consider the other members of your family and/or roommates. If you contract COVID-19 during your travels, you could put your household contacts at risk of infection when you return. Again, older adults and people of all ages with severe chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
