COVID-19 cases are rising heading into fall with the more contagious Delta variant emerging as the most prominent strain of the virus. While travel restrictions have come and gone and come back again in the nearly 18 months since the pandemic was first declared, there are a handful of basic tips that travelers can follow to ensure a safe and enjoyable getaway in the last third of 2021.

Protecting yourself against severe illness due to the coronavirus starts with getting fully vaccinated. "Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19," the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) states. "However, international travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some COVID-19 variants." While the vaccine doesn't guarantee you won't contract COVID-19 during your travels, Healthline, citing analyses conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation based on data from the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Dashboard and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, reports that you're more than likely to avoid developing a severe case if vaccinated. "Vaccines continue to protect people from severe disease and death due to COVID-19," the fact-checked source states. "The vast majority of people who have died from COVID-19 were unvaccinated. Fatal cases of COVID-19 among unvaccinated people are either very low or virtually zero in 48 states.

And here's what the CDC says regarding vaccines and the Delta variant: "Vaccines continue to reduce a person's risk of contracting the virus that cause COVID-19, including this variant. The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States are highly effective at preventing severe disease and death, including against the Delta variant. But they are not 100 percent effective and some fully vaccinated people will become infected (called a breakthrough infection) and experience illness. For such people, the vaccine still provides them strong protection against serious illness and death." According to a National Institute on Aging (NIA)-supported study published in Health Affairs in August, the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination campaign is associated with an estimated reduction of 139,393 pandemic deaths as of May 9, 2021.

Some places require travelers to present a negative coronavirus test taken within a few days prior to entry but in some cases fully vaccinated individuals can bypass this hurdle with proof of vaccination. Regardless of the local requirements, the CDC continues to urge unvaccinated people to get tested with a viral test one to three days before their trip and to cancel any plans and isolate if the test comes back positive. Unvaccinated individuals should also take a viral test three to five days after their trip and quarantine for a full week. If they choose not to get tested, they should stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel. Fully vaccinated people who are traveling internationally are also advised by the CDC to get tested with a viral test three to five days after travel and to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently extended the current U.S. federal mask mandate applying to air travel and other public transportation through January 18, 2022. That said, even fully vaccinated individuals should be prepared to wear a face-covering on rideshare services, in airports, on planes, trains, buses and other non-open-air transport. Giving space to strangers, avoiding large mask-less crowds and washing or sanitizing your hands frequently are also highly encouraged regardless of your vaccination status.

Both the U.S. State Department and the CDC are routinely updating their travel guidance for Americans so it's always smart to check the latest travel advisories and travel health notices to see what experts are saying regarding the current COVID-19 situation in a particular country or destination and the risk it poses to travelers. As of late-August, both agencies are advising against travel or asking Americans to reconsider plans to visit a majority of countries around the world as cases climb globally.

More and more travelers are considering protecting their trip with travel insurance and for good reason. It's important to know that not all policies cover COVID-19-related medical emergencies and expenses, however, so travelers should be sure to confirm their coverage with their provider ahead of their purchase. Allianz Partners is a great place to begin your search for the ideal travel insurance plan in the COVID era.

The benefits of working with a travel advisor were obvious prior to the pandemic but the current state of uncertainty makes it imperative that travelers talk to an expert who can point them in the direction of safe destinations, help them select the ideal travel insurance policy or book them their dream getaway for down the road when they feel safe to travel again. Travel advisors are real people with real experiences in the places you're going and can not only match you with the perfect airline, cruise line, hotel or resort, activities and attractions but advocate for you from start to finish, ensuring any unexpected hiccups are dealt with and remedied. If your'e unsure where to start, visit TravelSense.org to find an experienced advisor based on your destination and trip type.