Is it safe to eat on a plane or a lounge after you’ve been vaccinated?

More than 37% of Americans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and some of those people are thinking of hitting the road for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic brought the travel industry to a halt.

If this is your first time on a flight or at an airport lounge since the pandemic, you’ll quickly realize that food and drink policies have changed. Many lounges drastically reduced service and amenities during the pandemic — and cut back on food — while some airlines have encouraged flyers to use "nonverbal” ordering in the air.

Travelers got some good news in early April when the CDC announced that fully vaccinated Americans could travel at “low-risk” to themselves. But is it really safe to eat on a plane or at your (likely indoor) airline lounge, even if you’ve been vaccinated?

Here’s what we know so far.

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Is it safe to eat on a plane after being vaccinated?

We know that the current vaccines are pretty effective in keeping you from contracting COVID-19.

But what's still unclear is how well the vaccines prevent people from spreading the virus and how long vaccinated people are protected from the disease.

There are no specific guidelines from the CDC for eating indoors or on an airplane. However, the agency has said infection is lower for fully vaccinated people, so there's likely a reduced risk while eating or drinking on a plane or at a lounge if proper safety measures — such as good hand hygiene — are taken.

Want to go a step further?

"Take a mini portable fan in your carry-on and prop it on your tray table," said Steve Swasey, the vice president of communications at Healthline (which is also owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures). "Remember that the virus is airborne, so do as much as you can to limit unmasked breathing," Swasey added.

Related: Inflight service is resuming — here’s what food and drinks you can expect on your next flight

What to know about eating at a lounge or on a plane

Each airline and lounge has its own policy regarding eating and drinking during the pandemic, but they are, generally, all the same.

Guests visiting airport lounges and passengers on an airline must wear a face covering except when eating or drinking.

So, you can briefly remove your mask to eat or take a sip of your drink, but you shouldn’t keep it off for long periods. And even though the CDC has relaxed indoor guidelines for mask-wearing, they are still required during air travel. This isn’t just an airline or lounge rule, either -- it’s federal law.

Related: New CDC requirement mandates wearing masks on planes, public transit

Airlines and many forms of public transportation already required face masks. But this rule, introduced in late January, empowered frontline workers such as flight attendants who, at times, have struggled to get travelers to comply with mask-wearing mandates.

Masks may be removed for “brief periods of time” -- we’re looking at you, slow sippers -- while eating, drinking or taking medication; communicating with a person who has difficulty hearing; or during Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening.

"If you can't wait for a bite or to quench your thirst, go ahead but replace your mask as soon as you're finished," Swasey said.

Related: What the heck is a HEPA filter? How airplane air stays clean

Bottom line

While vaccinated travelers are at less risk, you should still be mindful of how long your mask is down while eating and drinking on an airplane or a crowded public space, such as an airport lounge.

The reason for keeping your mask mostly up is twofold: There’s still a risk for unvaccinated travelers. And, of course, mask mandates are still very much in effect (regardless of your vaccination status). So, eat quickly, and then remask: It's simply the right thing to do – and the law.