On Wednesday, March 11th, the U.S. State Department raised the worldwide travel ban to a Level 3, which means that U.S. citizens should reconsider travel abroad during this time. On Saturday, March 14th, President Trump said that travel restrictions within the U.S. are being considered. However, as of yet, actual travel bans only exist between the U.S. and 28 countries, and there are no restrictions on domestic travel. Whether you have previous travel plans you want to keep or just want to jump on cheap airfare, you may wonder, is it a good idea to travel right now?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that while it does not generally issue advisories for travel within the United States, it is urging everyone to proceed with caution. Almost every state and the District of Columbia now has confirmed cases of COVID-19, with some areas experiencing community spread. Crowded settings, such as airplanes and airports, can significantly increase your risk of exposure to the coronavirus, especially if there are other travelers who have COVID-19 or previously came into contact with someone who has it. If you must travel though, there are several considerations you should make.
Unless travel is absolutely necessary, you should seriously consider cancelling or delaying your travel plans. Doing so will not only benefit your own health, but it can also benefit the health of others. If you must travel, please only do so after giving careful consideration to your options and taking all the necessary precautions.