Testing positive for COVID-19 is still a cause for concern for travelers. The stress of being sick with any virus while away from home is very real.
While quarantine requirements and negative Covid tests may longer be necessary, the question for many travelers is should you travel if you test positive for Covid.
Can You Travel With Covid?
Right now there are no restrictions, so the answer to that question really relies on you. Still traveling while Covid positive is not advisable. The medically and morally responsible thing to do is to refrain from travel for five full days and isolate yourself during that time.
For best practices when it comes to traveling with Covid, check current CDC recommendations and requirements.
Can You Fly With Covid?
Currently, there are no Covid restrictions for flying domestically. However, some airlines may encourage you to wear a face mask during your flight, especially internationally.
Remember that if you feel sick before your flight, the best thing to do is get tested for Covid before departure.
If you do test positive, and feel like you shouldn’t travel, trip insurance with Cancel For Any Reason coverage can help you cancel your plans without hurting your financial investment.
Are There Travel Covid Test Requirements?
Covid testing requirements have been lifted worldwide. However, cases are still cropping up in every corner of the globe.
This means that there’s always a potential chance that a country could reinstate some or all of its Covid testing requirements to combat the spread of the virus. It’s still smart to keep an eye on travel alerts for your destination country just to be safe.
What Do I Do If I Test Positive for Covid While Traveling?
Here’s a look at some of the best things you can do if you get Covid while on vacation. While this is not an exhaustive list, it’ll give you some good pointers on how to handle getting covid while you’re traveling.
Be Prepared to Test Positive for Covid
Your contingency plan for what to do should you test positive for Covid or any other virus while abroad begins before you even leave your home. As you make lodging arrangements and book your flights, be sure to have a plan in place if you do in fact test positive for Covid during your trip.
To be extra prepared, pack and plan for your trip as if Covid or another virus could disrupt your travels.
This could entail:
- Making a list detailing the medical information and needs for each member of your party
- Packing extra clothes and extra medication
- Pack sufficient quantity of masks
- Packing a few covid home test kits (if possible)
- Budgeting extra finances for an extended stay or a plan for if you have to cut your trip short
Get Tested if You Feel Sick
At the first sign of sickness, request a PCR test as opposed to a rapid test. PCR tests are considered much more accurate than the rapid tests.
In some cases, travelers might test negative through a rapid test but positive via a PCR test. This is likely due to the virus not being potent enough to be detected through a rapid test.
Inform Relevant Parties
As soon as you test positive, you’ll want to get in touch with anyone you’ve been in contact with, including the members of your party as they will also need to get tested right away.
This might involve being moved to a separate room away from the other guests until you test negative.
Wear a KN95 or N95 Mask for 10 Full Days After Testing Positive
Even once you leave quarantine, wear a KN95 or N95 mask when you’re around other people.
Simple cloth coverings are not as effective, and in fact, many airlines are no longer accepting them as suitable protection for air travel.
Isolate Yourself
Remember, though, even if you’re asymptomatic, you could transmit the virus to people who may have a much more severe reaction. This is why you should isolate yourself from others as soon as you test positive or show symptoms.
Depending on where you travel to, you may be required to isolate in quarantine for at least five days.
If you have a travel insurance plan, you may be financially protected in the event that mandatory quarantine extends your trip unexpectedly.
Some trip insurance plans have quarantine coverage for Covid as a specific benefit, while others include it in their trip interruption or delay coverage.
Book a Hotel Room for the Infected Person
Whether you’re an American taking a road trip or an international traveler touring through Europe, if you’re traveling via car, testing positive for Covid comes with specific concerns. The most important thing to do is to separate yourself from everyone else in your party.
Check into a hotel room that has contact-free check-in procedures, or, if possible, return home. Again, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, you want to minimize your risk of transmitting the virus to someone who might have a more severe reaction.
Consider Telehealth
Should you test positive for Covid while abroad, one of the lesser-known resources on your side is telehealth, which is often included in many travel insurance plans. Just like it sounds, telehealth means connecting with your doctor back home or a physician in your destination country by video.
Whether you need medical advice due to an infection or want to secure an acceptable proof of recovery so you can head home or continue your trip, telemedicine can help.
Consider Travel Insurance for Covid Coverage
If you test positive for Covid while on vacation, travel insurance can be a saving grace. Travel insurance can cover treatment for Covid like any other new illness while you are away from home, allowing you to receive care that you need to assist with symptoms.
Additionally, some travel insurance plans have a quanrantine benefit, meaning that if you have to change your travel plans due to having to quarantine for Covid, you may be covered for any additional expenses inccured.
Securing a trip insurance plan with Cancel For Any Reason add-on coverage can also give you the ability to complete cancel your plans if you test positive for Covid before your travels and still recoup a portion of your nonrefundable expenses back.
Travel Insurance Can Keep You Protected
Testing positive for Covid while abroad is still a concern for today’s travelers. But preparation and careful, well-researched planning can go a long way to calming your nerves should you contract Covid while traveling. While these tips won’t prevent you from contracting the virus, they’ll certainly make it easier for you, if you do.
With travel insurance, you can help protect yourself against COVID during your travels. Learn more about trip insurance and contact our Customer Success Team with any questions you may have.
