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Austin-Travis County’s health authorities are advising unvaccinated individuals who will travel in quarantine for seven days after their return.
AUSTIN, Texas – Austin-Travis County health officials are advising unvaccinated individuals planning to travel over Labor Day Weekend to quarantine for seven days after their return. Austin Public Health provided vacation weekend guidelines during a COVID-19 update on Friday.
APH’s lead epidemiologist Janet Pichette said travelers should get tested for COVID-19 before and after their trip if they are not vaccinated. Those who cannot be tested should be quarantined for 10 days.
“We don’t want it to be a super spreader, but that potential is still there,” said Pitchette. “So if we want to repeat last year where we haven’t seen a sharp rise after a holiday event like this weekend, we have to make sure we’re doing the right thing.”
For vaccinated people, Pichette said, testing isn’t required unless someone develops symptoms when they return. A fully vaccinated person traveling over the holiday weekend should monitor themselves for symptoms.
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Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis county health department, said Labor Day was completely different from last year due to vaccine access and the Delta variant. Also, the schools are mostly personal and there are more people in community facilities.
“When you come home and are around loved ones with weakened immune symptoms, it is important that you protect them by wearing a mask, whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated, so that you can protect them from developing of COVID-19, ”said Walkes. “And that also applies to children under the age of 12 who cannot be vaccinated.”
APH also advised all travelers to wear a mask, especially when using public transit, to avoid crowds and to remember what COVID-19 laws and recommendations apply at their destination.
“Masks stop the spread,” said Walkes. “Protect Vaccines”
Austin-Travis County is currently in Level 5 of its risk-based COVID-19 guidelines. As per Level 5 recommendations, unvaccinated individuals are advised not to travel. High risk people are advised to travel only when clearly necessary.
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