You've booked your long-awaited vacation and now the Delta variant is causing an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases. What do you do?
UC Davis infectious disease specialist Natascha Tuznik is recommending travel insurance for trips planned for this summer.
Carry on with your plans, but with certain safeguards and travel tips in mind, say UC Davis Health experts.
"The best advice is to delay travel until you are fully vaccinated," said Natascha Tuznik, an infectious disease specialist at in the Department of Internal Medicine. "And, even if you are vaccinated, remember that most public transportation still requires masks—including planes and airports."
Tuznik is planning to travel with her husband and young children in October and is hopeful their trip to Disney World will be one for the memory books. However, she is prepared in case the Delta variant or other rapidly changing COVID-19 conditions cause another shutdown.
"Chance favors the prepared mind," said Tuznik, quoting 19th century vaccine pioneer Louis Pasteur. "There are new pandemic developments all the time. My recommendation is to buy travel insurance in case there is a surge that complicates or cancels your vacation plans."
Tuznik recommends the following tips:
- Children over 2 and under 12 should wear masks in public places as should anyone who isn't vaccinated.
- Unvaccinated individuals should get tested three days before traveling and maintain a physical distance of 6 feet, if possible.
