Do we still need to be so cautious about COVID when traveling?

You’d think countries would be more open to tourism given the economic devastation many have faced these past two years.

It’s been two years since the government told us to stay at home for two weeks. Travel came to a screeching halt as countries closed their borders in an attempt to slow the spread of the infamous coronavirus. 

Now, in 2022, many of the cautions against traveling are still in place — whether they be from foreign governments or our very own CDC. 

But do we really need all this travel restriction? Should we really be forced to test negative for COVID-19 to travel internationally? Are masks on airplanes (especially long, international flights) truly necessary? After all, COVID-19 is nothing but a cold at this point.

Now, before you tell me I’m insensitive or “anti-science,” let’s have a look at the numbers. 

Earlier this year, the omicron variant of COVID-19 made its rounds throughout the globe, infecting the vaccinated and unvaccinated alike. Not even the boosted were fully protected from this highly-transmissible variant. 

Back in February of this year — the 17th to be exact — there were 12,383 deaths worldwide from the coronavirus (only Feb. 8 beat the 17th with 13,056 deaths during the omicron surge). Since that day, deaths from coronavirus have decreased and continued to decrease. Most recently (April 15), there were 2,266 deaths recorded worldwide. 

Okay, sure, deaths have been decreasing, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t getting severely ill — you might think. I would argue, however, that fewer people are experiencing severe illness from COVID-19 because of omicron’s mild nature.

According to the Economic Times, “The newest variant of coronavirus does not lead to any severe symptoms … Fatigue and dizziness are some of the initial symptoms, followed by headaches, sore throat, muscle soreness and fever.”

Wait, so no trouble breathing? No loss of taste and smell? Essentially, another cold?

Yep, that’s right. Omicron may have spread like nobody’s business when it first arrived on the scene, but its high-transmissibility and mild symptoms resulted in herd immunity with minimal deaths.

Now, we face a BA.2 omicron subvariant, which is highly contagious, but not nearly as severe. Knowing that the coronavirus doesn’t pose a threat to healthy individuals, why are countries so persistent in restricting visitors? Are they truly so concerned about the unlikelihood of asymptomatic spread leading to insurmountable hospitalizations and deaths?

I understand that taking a COVID test before one travels is not the biggest of deals, but considering how stressful international travel can be, why add more to it? Especially when the thing being added is controlling at worst and extraordinarily cautious at best.

It’s time we stop acting like we are responsible for everyone else’s health. We are responsible for our own. If someone feels comfortable enough to travel internationally, proving they don’t have COVID shouldn’t be required — especially if they have no symptoms of sickness. If someone is immunocompromised and truly concerned about catching the cold that COVID has become, they must weigh their options and stay at home if they decide that is best for them.

The world and its various economies, cultures and sights are too wonderful not to explore. It’s time airlines ditch the masks and global governments loosen restrictions.