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5 things travelers need to know about the delta COVID-19 variant

June 30, 2021
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3 min read
Passengers wearing N95 face masks waiting in line at airport terminal
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Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that even fully vaccinated individuals — those who received their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks prior — should still wear a mask as the delta variant spreads.

This differs from current guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which relaxed indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people this spring.

But the warning comes as the delta variant strain of the coronavirus continues to spread worldwide. The delta variant, first discovered in India, is quickly becoming the world’s dominant strain and has been traced to an outbreak of fully vaccinated adults in Israel, prompting that country to require people to wear masks again.

To find out more about the delta variant and what it could mean for your travel plans, TPG spoke with Dr. Jenny Yu, the senior manager of medical integrity at Healthline Media (which is owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures), through email.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Should people rethink their summer travel plans?

Dr. Jenny Yu: People should weigh these factors while traveling for the summer: vaccination status, health risks and local regulations. If you are vaccinated and continue to wear a mask, the risk of contracting the virus remains fairly low.

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For families with children who are not vaccinated, mask-wearing is good protection. In addition, it's good to know where the hotspots of the delta variant are, and the local regulations of testing and quarantine for both vaccinated and nonvaccinated individuals so that there are no surprises to ruin travel plans.

Does my vaccine protect against this variant? Will I need a booster shot?

Dr. Yu: Data has shown that the [two-shot] mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) are 88% effective in protecting against the delta variant. A recent study out of Washington University suggests there could be sustained protection against the virus. When and if we will need a booster is still to be determined.

How effective are the different vaccines against the delta variant?

Dr. Yu: The mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) are 88% effective after the two shots. The Astra-Zeneca/Oxford vaccine is 60% effective after the two shots. More data is needed for whether recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will need a second booster.

What are the concerns about the delta variant? Is it more contagious or severe?

Dr. Yu: The Ddelta variant is the more contagious of the variants. It can produce mild symptoms in even vaccinated individuals. It is most dangerous to unvaccinated individuals as they are likely to contract the virus.

What regions are currently experiencing outbreaks of the delta variant?

Dr. Yu: In the U.S., the Southeast and the Midwest have higher concentrations of the delta variant, with Missouri having the highest documented cases. Worldwide, the United Kingdom, South Africa, South America (Brazil) and Australia are seeing accelerated cases of the delta variant.

Featured image by IZUSEK/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.