Omicron and holiday travel: Pressing questions answered

Holiday travel suddenly feels more fraught as the world waits for emerging information on the new coronavirus variant. Scientists are racing to see if the current vaccines offer protection against omicron, but many families and other travelers may need to consider a variety of factors now before embarking to see relatives or to experience a change of scenery.

"Once again they will have to make informed decisions," said Dr. Kathy Risse, a pediatrician in Seattle. But unlike last year's holiday period, Risse said, "we know so much more about stopping transmission, and widespread testing is up and running."

For those planning to travel, the basics for protection — vaccinations, masks and social distancing — will help make the trip safer. Here are answers to some of the most pressing travel questions for now.

Currently there are no vaccine, testing or quarantine requirements to travel within the United States — except Hawaii. Hawaii requires a 10-day quarantine for domestic travelers if they do not show proof of vaccination or negative results from a test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

Masks are still required by the Transportation Security Administration for passengers age 2 and up on planes, trains and buses. Different states, and even cities, may have their own mask, testing or vaccine requirements for activities such as indoor dining.

Local health department sites or the AARP website are good starting places to research a state's coronavirus rules.

Again no, but CDC guidelines recommend that people delay travel until they are fully vaccinated.

Rules for these and other countries can change at any time, so it's best to keep checking official government websites as your travel date approaches.

Again, it's complicated. For outbound travel from the United States, vaccination requirements depend on your destination. U.S. embassy sites are good sources of information, as are countries' tourist and health sites for your desired destination. Age requirements can also vary by destination.

U.S. citizens do not have to be vaccinated to travel back to the United States.

The United States recently changed the timing of its testing requirement to reenter the country. Travelers must now submit a negative virus test result taken within one day of the flight's departure, instead of the previous three-day requirement for vaccinated fliers. This applies to all travelers age 2 and up, regardless of nationality or vaccination status.

It is important to note that the requirement is "one day" rather than "24 hours." For example, for a flight leaving Sunday at 3 p.m., the test needs to be taken anytime on Saturday or anytime on Sunday. This gives fliers more flexibility in scheduling their test for anytime the day before the flight.

Family members may have varying risk tolerances, and at-home tests can help people relax and enjoy each other's company, Risse said, "because even though it is imperfect, it adds another layer of protection."

The CDC specifies which tests are allowed for entry into the United States. Self-tests for the virus are OK if there is an accompanying telehealth service providing "real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection." Your hotel may be able to point you to other testing options — like at medical clinics or pharmacies.

Fully vaccinated, as defined by the CDC as two weeks after the second dose, is not the same as fully protected. Breakthrough cases occur but are generally mild. The advice from the CDC still stands: Children 5 and older should get the vaccine to protect them and those around them from getting COVID-19.

It couldn't hurt, especially if you are traveling to see older or immune-compromised relatives, no matter their vaccination status.

Every family needs to make its own decision to travel, based on the importance of their trip, how protected family members are and how much they trust fellow travelers to abide by the masking and social distancing rules that keep people safer. They also need to be aware of the levels of cases at their destination and the level of exposure their potential activities present, such as eating at a restaurant indoors or staying at a hotel instead of a private residence.