Since the coronavirus pandemic began, there have been many changes to the way that we travel.
©Disney
We recently learned that vaccine passports could be required for air travel and events, and that a negative test is required for international travelers coming to the U.S. Now, the United States is considering a COVID-19 testing requirement for domestic air travel.Â
According to CNN, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the ruling would require negative COVID-19 test results for all domestic air travel.
©Orlando International Airport
Buttigieg said “there’s an active conversation with the CDC right now.” Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC), Dr. Rochelle Walensky, stated that screening for travelers in the country could be helpful to combat the spread of the virus. She did not expand on the possibility of plans to require tests for domestic travelers.
Orlando Airport
Dr. Walensky said “to the extent that we have available tests to be able to do testing, first and foremost, I would really encourage people not to travel.” She continues, “but if we are traveling, this would be yet another mitigation measure to try and decrease the spread.”
Flight from Orlando
The association Airlines for America has shown concern for this possible requirement. In a letter to the White House, they said “Given the strong scientific evidence that the risk fo COVID-19 transmission onboard an aircraft is very low, we believe that a testing requirement for domestic air travel is unwarranted.”
Airline
We will keep you updated if this ruling does go into effect and if there are any other changes that could impact your travel.
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They don’t ask for a vaccination record or for a negative TB test. Why Covid? Please don’t say the measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, whooping cough or tuberculosis are not as contagious. You’ll be wrong. And even if you’ve had any of these vaccinations, if your not a healthcare worker, student, or teacher, you haven’t had a booster which makes you just a vulnerable as a child.
The requirement for a Covid test for domestic flights is ridiculous. Example: flight scheduled for Friday, get tested on Tuesday for results by Thursday, test comes back. Negative. Unbeknownst to you you have been exposed on Wednesday, so now your are cleared to fly on Friday, because your test came back Negative, but you are infective and could spread the virus.. next case scenario: vaccination requires, is it shot #1, or both and again, and I know people that this has happened to, they test Positive for Covid AFTER receiving* the 1 st shot! Or now, even after the 2nd shot, immunity could take 2-3 weeks, so you could still get Covid and spread it!
So, what is the benefit of testing, vaccination as far as domestic air travel?
Excellent points Maureen, I second everything she said ! Will just add the timing is never spot on, there is no way to make this work and have accurate information. I see people getting cleared for surgery – same issues in medical community, they get tested on Tuesday – cleared for surgery on Friday – and then turn + a few days after their said surgery ! Its happening just like that people and if you havent heard of any stories, well I am a nurse and have plenty more.
Here is the info the CDC gives you after your 2nd Covid vaccine….You can still get the virus after the vaccine but your chances of symptoms are extremely low; you can still spread it to nonvaccinated people. So you can still test positive, won’t know it, and spread it to others. I can see why domestic air travel has been targeted.
Well this testing has tested us. We got a Covid test to fly to Honolulu las Sunday. Landed and found out Passport Health is not a trusted company for Covid testing. We had to return on the next flight. Good by Disney Aulani. Even worse nothing was open in the airport and the next day my husband checked his CC charges and the resort had checked us in and we already had a $150 dollar charge. Now we are heading to Ethiopia for a medical outreach. I got one Covid test today by Labcorp, and tomorrow at the airport by Xpresck.
I am also in agreement with Maureen’s comments. They make perfect sense.