Last updated on February 8, 2023.
Please get fully vaccinated.
The Covid-19 pandemic has diminished in the U.S., but Covid continues to be an unpleasant illness (with potential long-term consequences) and can still result in death for some people. And the Covid virus continues to evolve and mutate. Despite the new Covid variants, Covid vaccines continue to be safe and effective at preventing hospitalization or serious illness from the virus. Data published by the CDC shows conclusively that fully-vaccinated people are…
- 5 times less likely to become infected by Covid-19;
- more than 10 times less likely to be hospitalized; and
- more than 10 times less likely to die from Covid-19.
Covid vaccines are safe, effective, and widely available. We strongly encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 to consider the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and to get vaccinated and to get their eligible teenagers vaccinated—not just for themselves, but also for their children, families, and anyone else who may be in close contact.
ALSO: If you doubts about the vaccine, please read the CDC’s Myths and Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines.
Here are links for more information on getting vaccinated:
- California: How do I get vaccinated?
- Oregon: Find a Covid-19 Vaccine
- Washington: How to Get the Covid-19 Vaccine
Staying Safe on the PCT
CDC guidelines for Covid safety have relaxed for fully-vaccinated individuals. If you are fully-vaccinated…
- you do not need to wear a mask outdoors
- you can reduce your risk of a breakthrough infection or transmitting the virus to others by wearing a mask indoors in public in crowded situations, especially small spaces with inadequate ventilation;
- you may also choose to wear a mask to protect any immunocompromised people who are with you
If you are NOT fully vaccinated, you may want to consider following CDC guidelines when on the trail and when visiting communities and resupply locations along the trail.
- Maintain at least six feet of physical distance between parties. (More if possible.)
- Bring a mask that covers your nose and mouth. If you are not fully-vaccinated, wearing it remains important indoors if you cannot maintain a six-foot distance.
- Avoid shared facilities such as picnic tables, group campsites, cabins, toilets, bear boxes and fire rings if you are not fully-vaccinated. If they are closed, please don’t use them.
Everyday Preventive Actions
- Avoid congregating in parking areas and points of interest like overlooks and waterfalls. Don’t linger if others want to appreciate it too. Give each other some space.
- Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces if you are not fully-vaccinated (and it is advisable to avoid crowds even if you are fully-vaccinated).
- Wash hands frequently with biodegradable soap and water, away from a water source, for at least 20 seconds and/or use hand sanitizer often.
- Take your rest breaks away from the trail so others don’t have to pass you closely.
- Symptoms like shortness of breath, a dry cough and headaches are common at high altitude. They are also symptoms of COVID-19. Get a test so that you can be sure you don’t have the virus before you continue.
- Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.
Keep your goals conservative and manage your risk—search and rescue teams are already strained.
Regardless of the pandemic, you should reduce risk in a lot of ways, such as not socializing with people who are not fully-vaccinated, avoiding difficult stream crossings, not having campfires, avoiding scrambles over rocks, not going cross-country, not jumping across creeks or any action that could result in injury or require the help of first responders.
Accidents place unnecessary stress on first responders, search and rescue teams and hospital staff who are already strained from the pandemic. Please don’t put yourself or anyone else at risk of exposure.