What does the CDC change mean and how should people assess the risk of international travel? What precautions should they take and how can they best prepare for a trip? Any specific thoughts for those looking to resume cruising? And what about domestic travel, especially for the colder months? To answer these questions, I spoke with CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington Milken Institute School of Public Health. He is also the author of “Lifelines: A Doctor’s Journey in the Fight for Public Health.” Passengers walk from the arrivals lobby of Haneda Airport in Tokyo on October 11. Japan began accepting vaccinated visitors from 68 countries visa-free on Tuesday, ending nearly three years of stricter border controls. Toru Hanai/Bloomberg/Getty Images CNN: What does it mean that the CDC is no longer maintaining country-by-country travel advisories for Covid-19? Dr. Leana Wen: The CDC has long maintained travel health advisories on its website. The CDC advises travelers to be cautious in areas experiencing outbreaks of yellow fever, dengue fever, cholera, Ebola and other infectious diseases. During the pandemic, the organization also stratified countries based on the level of Covid-19 infection. This was intended to help people planning travel to understand the extent to which Covid-19 was circulating in different parts of the world and for travelers to avoid unnecessary travel to areas experiencing an outbreak of the coronavirus. However, there was some concern about travel advice. Not all countries kept accurate or up-to-date numbers. At different points over the past two and a half years, there have been many areas of the United States with higher rates of Covid-19 than countries in the CDC’s “avoid non-essential travel” category. Additionally, after vaccines became widely available in the United States, there is a growing sense that the main determinant of risk should no longer be based primarily on levels of the coronavirus — since vaccines protected people from hospitalization. This decision by the CDC does not mean that the agency will stop monitoring Covid-19 completely. The CDC will notify the public if a new variant appears. It would also mean if countries are hit so hard by the coronavirus or other diseases that their healthcare infrastructure is overwhelmed. But contamination levels alone are not going to cause warning levels to increase going forward. CNN: How can people assess the risk of their international travel? Wen: The key question is to ask if you are up to date on the Covid-19 vaccine, which means you have received the new bivalent booster. If so, you are very well protected from serious illness due to Covid-19. Some people may have decided to stop the updated booster. If you have recently had Covid-19, it would make sense to wait three months as re-infection is unlikely during this time. Also, the updated reminder is not yet available for children under 12. Children in general are much less likely to get seriously ill than adults — and if they’re vaccinated or have recently contracted the coronavirus, they’re very unlikely to get seriously ill even without any boosters. Your age and the presence of underlying medical conditions are also factors. Those who are immunocompromised should ask their doctor if they are suitable for the preventive antibody Evusheld. People aged 65 and over and people who have chronic conditions should also ask, before a trip, whether they would be eligible for treatments such as Paxlovid and/or monoclonal antibodies if they were to contract Covid-19 abroad. If so, these are additional considerations when planning travel: Will the location where you will have these treatments be available? If you become seriously ill and require hospitalization, is there good health care easily accessible? Finally, remember that the primary purpose of coronavirus vaccines is to protect against serious illness. They also reduce the risk of infection compared to unvaccinated or unboosted people, but do not prevent it completely. Those wishing to reduce the risk of infection should take extra precautions, such as wearing high-quality N95 masks or equivalent masks in indoor areas such as airports, train stations, restaurants and other crowded areas. CNN: What precautions should people take while traveling and how can they best prepare for their trip? Wen: Again, vaccination with the new Covid-19 booster is the first and most important step. Be sure to get the vaccine at least 10 days before the trip. You must also get the flu shot. The flu vaccine can be given at the same time as the Covid-19 vaccine. Take multiple coronavirus tests with you — at least two for each family member traveling. That way, you can test if you develop symptoms or discover that you have significant exposure. Find out which treatments you are eligible for. Some doctors may be willing to prescribe Paxlovid just in case you contract Covid-19 on your trip. Others may not – in which case, know what treatments you would receive if you end up with the coronavirus. Have a plan for how to access treatments. Do pharmacies need a prescription or can you just walk in and get Paxlovid? Are there reliable high-quality hospitals in case you get seriously ill? And will insurance or other coverage cover healthcare costs in another country? Travel insurance is generally a good idea, although not all policies cover delays or cancellations due to Covid-19, so be sure to check. Also, find out what the rules are for each country you’re going to. Many countries have lifted vaccine and testing requirements, but they still apply in some. CNN: Any specific thoughts for those looking to resume cruising? Wen: CDC lifts Covid-19 risk warning for cruise travel in May Some cruise lines have also relaxed their previously strict vaccine and testing protocols. This means that people traveling on cruises must be prepared to deal with Covid-19. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go, but you should assess your individual risk and the value of a cruise vacation. Many people will say they accept the risk of contracting the coronavirus because of how important boarding is to them. If you are vaccinated and up to date on vaccines, the chance of serious illness is probably very low, so this is a sensible decision. Others may decide on different modes of international travel. A cruise where thousands of people mingle freely while not wearing masks to each other is very different from, say, a beach vacation in a location where all meals are outdoors, or a self-catering trip where you would mask indoors, such as trains and museums. Those wishing to continue to avoid the coronavirus can choose a more cautious approach while continuing to travel. CNN: What’s your advice for domestic travel, especially in the colder months? Wen: The basic recommendation to be informed about vaccines still applies, as does my advice to get lots of tests and know what treatments you’re getting and from where. We have entered a point with Covid-19 where we have recognized that this virus will be with us for many years to come. That means taking advantage of the many tools at our disposal to protect us, while also getting back to the pre-pandemic activities we love — including travel.