Here’s when to get tested for COVID-19 if you’ve been vaccinated

More and more activities are being offered for those who have had their COVID-19 vaccination. From more freedom of travel to everyday things like shopping indoors without wearing face masks, things seem to be getting back to normal. But what about COVID-19 tests?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccinated people can skip most COVID-19 tests, with a few exceptions.

Photo by Mufid Majnun via Unsplash

While people who have been vaccinated do not need to test or quarantine if they are infected with someone who has the virus, it is important to get tested if symptoms such as cough, fever, and fatigue occur.

Data gathered over the past few months suggests that vaccinated people rarely get severe symptoms of COVID-19, so there is an opportunity to visit hospitals. Even so, having a test would prevent the virus from spreading, which is why it’s important to know if you have it or not.

RELATED: Can COVID-19 Vaccines Be Mixed? UK study has answer

According to the CDC, US citizens re-entering the US must have a negative COVID-19 test result regardless of their vaccination status. If the test result is positive, the person must be isolated for a period of 10 days.

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Cases like COVID-19 tests in the workplace are subject to the company’s individual guidelines. Doctors, nurses, and people who work in hospitals, prisons, and the homeless shelters are still being examined more regularly due to the higher exposure.

RELATED: Popping Tylenol After Vaccination? Be careful not to drink too much of it

Seniors or people with an underlying health condition may want to be tested more often, especially if they have been exposed to someone with the disease and developed symptoms of the virus. While vaccines are highly effective, they still do not guarantee 100% protection.

In the months ahead, as more people get their vaccinations and authorities get a clearer picture of the remainder of the quarter of the year, we can expect some of these guidelines to be relaxed further.