ASHWAUBENON, Wis. (NBC 26) -- Jill Jacques got a two-for-one deal. After getting both doses of the COVID vaccine, she says traveling feels safer.
"I'm vaccinated, so I work in healthcare," she said waiting for her flight at Austin Straubel Airport. "So I'm glad I have that."
The CDC released a new recommendation saying fully vaccinated people can safely travel within the U.S., without COVID testing or quarantining. So Jacques is flying from Green Bay to North Carolina to see a friend.
"I don't need to do crazy traveling in exotic places," Jacques, a De Pere resident, said. "I just want to get groups of family members back together again and feel safe doing that."
Before Friday, CDC guidelines advised against any unnecessary travel. Unvaccinated people are still told to stay the course.
"The reality is there's still people that have to travel, essential workers and friends and family visiting family members," Austin Straubel Airport Director Marty Piette said.
For those planning on flying out of Northeast Wisconsin, airport requirements won't change, whether you have the vaccine or not.
"If you're fully vaccinated, you still need to follow all of the same protocols: wearing a mask, social distancing, washing your hands frequently," Piette said.
While the CDC says vaccinated fliers should still try to get tested before and after their flight, Jacques says she feels a lot better now that she can see more family members.
"I know there's a lot of people who feel it's not necessary," she said. "I don't happen to be that person, so I do. I feel a little safer."
