The Latest Updates and Tips On Traveling During Covid

The travel landscape is rapidly evolving. Since the U.S. opened its borders to foreign visitors on November 8 and vaccinations have expanded to 5-11 year olds, Americans are feeling more confident vacationing and are increasingly on the move. You may be considering taking a trip or widening your radius domestically or even internationally. Here is what you need to know before you go.

Lawmakers propose proof of vaccination or negative Covid test to fly domestically ahead of holiday season

A United States Senator and 35 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to President Joe Biden on 11/12/21, asking him to implement a mandate that all domestic airline passengers provide proof of vaccination or a negative test against COVID-19. The letter wants requirements put into place prior to the holiday season that begins in two weeks – but carefully avoids wording whether a mandate would just be for the holidays or would extend beyond that. It does mention the potential for a winter surge of the virus.

Use a travel advisor

More moving parts than usual should be expected for any upcoming travels, and partnering with a travel advisor has become more important than ever. Legacy Travel Designs can recommend reputable suppliers, help you purchase “cancel for any reason” travel insurance , and help you cut through red tape while navigating coronavirus protocols, testing requirements, cancelled flights, or missed connections.

Mask and testing mandates

The CDC still requires travelers to wear face coverings on airplanes, buses and rail systems, as well as in airports and bus and train stations. Vaccinated citizens who travel internationally still need to present a negative test within the last three days before returning to the States. This test should be prearranged before you go so you don’t have problems boarding your flight home.

Trip preparation

It’s important to know the transmission rate and hospital capacity of the place(s) you are going. You don’t want to get into a situation where you should need medical attention in an overburdened country with substandard care and fewer resources than in the United States. Save yourself unpleasant surprises and delays by checking for restrictions at your destination and anywhere you stop along the way. Bring lots of face masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and thermometer.

Documentation

Don’t wait until the last minute to secure documentation required by your destination. For example, if you are traveling to France, you will need to convert the CDC’s documentation to the E.U.’s vaccine passport to get a QR code which can take up to 9 days. It can take up to 12 weeks to renew a passport, so if you are traveling internationally take care of that with plenty of time to spare. Make sure your passport is valid for 6 months after your departure date.

At the airport

The TSA can fine those who refuse to wear a mask anywhere from $250 for the first offense to $1,500 for repeat offenders. Passengers are allowed to bring liquid hand sanitizer in containers up to 12 ounces in carry-on bags where previously only 3.4 oz containers were allowed. It’s important to note that you now have until May 3, 2023 before you’ll need a security-enhanced Real ID instead of a regular driver’s license in order to get through airport security. The deadline was recently delayed from Oct 1, 2021.

Expect bottlenecks at airports with the return of international passengers to the U.S.

On the plane

Many airlines have stopped serving food and drinks during flights, but some have begun to do so again, depending on length of flight. Save your snacks for your destination or eat quickly when others have their masks on. Southwest and American are no longer serving alcohol onboard in economy class through at least January 2022 due to a high number of unruly passengers.

All of the major airlines are equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which remove at least 99.97 percent of bacteria and airborne particles. The CDC states that “most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on planes.

In country

Vaccination cards may be required to eat at restaurants, go to concerts, or attend any event where large numbers of people gather. State, local and territorial governments may require people to wear masks or get tested.

Cruises

Most cruise lines are requiring guests to be vaccinated. Many destinations are barring cruise ships unless all passengers 12 or up or 18 or up are vaccinated. The CDC has advised people with increased risk of severe illness to avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, regardless of vaccination status

Unvaccinated Americans

The CDC still advises against travel within the United States unless you are fully vaccinated. Those who choose to travel, are advised to get tested one to three days before departure and again three to five days upon returning. Those who choose not to get tested should quarantine for 10 days after arriving home. As of November 8, those traveling internationally need to test for COVID-19 within one day of departure from the U.S. and within one day of the return flight. Some countries, including Spain and France have barred unvaccinated leisure travelers from the U.S.

Have patience and be flexible

Staffing at hotels, resorts, and restaurants has not kept up with demand. Your hotel’s restaurant may be closed and daily room cleaning is only available upon request in many places. That’s where hotels are having to cut back, because they just don’t have enough people. Rental cars remain in short supply and prices are high, double or triple prepandemic rates. Many businesses in airports are still closed and airlines have canceled hundreds of flights in the last several months.