Now that you are vaccinated, is it safe to travel with your child? Many clients are planning a summer vacation this year with the anticipation of being fully vaccinated. The best advice a family lawyer can give is to begin discussions with the other parent as soon as possible. According to the CDC, 50.8% of the United States population is vaccinated with at least one dose as of June 2, 2021. However, there are still plenty of travel restrictions in place domestically and abroad.
What to consider if traveling?
If a parent is planning a vacation outside of the U.S, everyone involved should discuss the logistics of any required testing or quarantine before leaving. Travel within the U.S may be a bit easier as vaccination numbers increase, and cities begin to fully reopen. It is apparent that there are different rules regarding vaccinations, quarantine, wearing a mask, social distancing, and interacting with others across the country and abroad.
Questions both parents should be aware of include the following:
- Who is going on the vaccination with the family? Are all eligible members of the vacation party vaccinated?
- Will the children and other members of the vacation party be wearing a mask in public?
- Where is the trip’s location and what are the COVID-19 restrictions there?
- If you are traveling with other people who are not fully vaccinated, will they wear their masks around the children?
- Do you need to show the other parent proof of vaccination?
- Will the children quarantine upon their return and with whom?
- What if the child or children has a health condition like asthma? What precautions will be taken to ensure the child is protected?
The best advice is to review all the information about where you are going and plan well in advance. Parents who are traveling must follow all safety requirements of the place they are traveling to and be prepared to be flexible in case there is a change in plans. Further, parents should be cautious when booking flights and verify the safety measurements the airline is taking to help prevent the contraction of COVID.
If you have questions about how summer travel factors into your custody agreement, reach out to our family law lawyers. We are happy to provide you with guidance during this challenging time.
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