The most common question I am asked nowadays is “Is It Safe To Travel?” What people are often actually asking is “Is it nearly as safe to travel now as pre-COVID?”

The COVID pandemic presents a huge challenge, primarily because it is unpredictable so far. You never know if another variant is around the corner.

Then, if that was not enough, WWIII no longer seems impossible…or at least fighting expanding further across Europe.

And, of course, the unrest in many countries, the diseases we still see popping up (vaccine-derived and wild-type polio, for instance), and other issues.

So, NO. Sadly, it is not very “safe” to travel, currently.

But, you are probably considering traveling anyway, since no one knows when, or if, “safe” will return. And that is OK. You are not crazy for considering it. My family and I recently went to Kenya despite Omicron.

Assess your personal health (good, bad, or ugly?), the circumstances that exist at your destination (COVID, health service availability, etc.), and even your tolerance for things going really, really wrong (changes in COVID restrictions, interruption of flights, disruption of the flow of goods and services, etc.). Do this assessment BEFORE you leave.

For tips on travel safety, see TRAVEL SAFETY on our website. Check the CDC for travel alerts and COVID information. Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through the State Department. Even better, see a Travel Medicine specialist for a consultation before you start your trip. They can review the “what if’s” with you and help prepare you for your journey in a currently chaotic world.

Safe(er) travels!

Julian Klapowitz, MD