LOUISVILLE, Ky. — State health officials are hopeful that new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about travel for fully vaccinated people will encourage more Kentuckians to get the shot.


What You Need To Know

  • The CDC released new guidance saying fully vaccinated people can safely travel again

  • The agency still discourages non-essential travel for unvaccinated people

  • The new guidance says fully vaccinated individuals don't need COVID-19 tests during travel

  • CDC is not yet changing its travel guidelines for unvaccinated people

The CDC has dramatically eased its travel restrictions for those who are fully vaccinated. A person is considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their last dose. 

On Friday, the agency said fully-vaccinated individuals are less likely to get or transmit the virus and can safely travel within the U.S. again.

Doctor Jon Klein, Vice Dean of Research at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, said the CDC's latest guidance reinforces the effectiveness of the vaccines, and could potentially be an incentive for people to roll up their sleeves.

"I think it’s the way out of this situation," Klein said. "I know we all agree on that and particularly that younger demographic that does a lot of travel that is either for their job or for pleasure. I hope this will be a motivating factor to get fully vaccinated."

According to the newly updated guidelines, they don't need to be tested before or after they travel, unless required to do so by their destination. They also do not need to self-quarantine.

However, fully vaccinated people who are traveling internationally should still be tested three to five days after they arrive back in the U.S.

The CDC noted that travel still isn't recommended at this time because of the rising numbers of coronavirus cases.

Officials also advise anyone who hasn't been fully vaccinated to continue to avoid travel.