Traveling During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic brought many things to a grinding halt, and one of the industries hit the hardest was the travel and hospitality industry. With several counties, states, and countries locked down, people couldn’t travel, whether that was to the beach or to the far-flung corners of the world. Thankfully, through the efforts of people around the globe and a mix of sickness-mitigation tactics, like masking and a successful vaccination campaign, the world is significantly less closed down than it was this time last year. That doesn’t mean that everything is fully back to normal, though. There are still many places that are barred for travel, while most places that are open are only open with special precautions in place.

Standard COVID Travel Safety Guidelines

Wherever you’re traveling, it’s still wise to follow general hygiene practices, like hand-washing. Beyond that, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have some basic travel tips, broken down by whether you’re vaccinated or not.

It’s important to remember that, currently, mask-wearing is required at all public transportation hubs, whether that’s airports, train stations, or bus stations, as well as during the ride itself — so on the plane, train, or bus. The CDC has also issued suggestions how to make traveling safer at all phases, from the actual trip, to accommodations, to restaurants and dining.

Travel within the United States

Travel within the continental United States is pretty open. Generally, if you follow the standard travel guidelines, you should be fine. Most states have no statewide restrictions on domestic travel, meaning you’re free to visit without quarantining or testing. Some states do have testing or quarantining requirements, such as Kansas and Hawai’i. These requirements differ between states and can change quickly, so it’s suggested that you monitor and keep up to date if you plan to visit another state.

The CDC has a neat travel planner tool that allows you to see the different COVID requirements and restrictions in each state. If you’re unsure about what to do, just know you want to stay in the United States and use as little public transportation as possible. Depending on how far you want to travel), a camping trip or a road trip may be great traveling options.

International Travel

Traveling outside of the United States can be a great way to experience other cultures and explore the rest of the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, international travel was probably hurt the most, as borders closed to keep the pandemic controlled. Now that countries are beginning to open up again, there’s a bit of a rush, created both by countries looking to restart their tourism industries and tourists looking to relieve over a year of pent-up wanderlust. To aid with the reopening of international travel, the United States has formed expert groups with a number of other countries like Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union to work out how to most safely begin lifting travel restrictions. This comes on the heels of the CDC easing travel advisories for over 120 countries around the world.

The U.S.’s Neighbors

If you’re itching to get out of the United States, you have options of places to travel internationally, but they can be limited by a number of factors. Closer to home, Mexico is allowing travelers in without testing or vaccine requirements, though many resorts ask a health questionnaire. The land border between the United States and Mexico remains closed for now, but air travel is still allowed. Currently, the United States suggests rethinking travel to Mexico. Canada, on the other hand, remains closed for most non-essential travel, unless you meet certain exemptions.

South America

For South America, many of the countries are still open to American travelers, though most require negative COVID tests, quarantining, or both. In the Caribbean, you can still lounge on the beaches in Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, or the Dominican Republic, though all require authorization forms to be allowed entry into the country. Jamaica, Turks, and Caicos also requires a negative COVID test. Many of these have the benefit of staying at an all-inclusive resort where you’re effectively quarantined, but in a relaxed and pampered way and around the same people the whole time. You don’t need to leave the resort, limiting your exposure.

Europe

Europe is perhaps the most open for travel for Americans due to its vaccination campaign. For example, France opened today to qualifying foreign travelers, including Americans, making Paris (one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world) available again. You can enter as long as you have been vaccinated, have recently recovered from COVID, or can provide a negative COVID-19 test from within the last 72 hours, though Americans will still need a negative COVID test for the time being. Other European countries are already open — such as Italy, Greece, and Iceland — or plan to in the coming days as the European Union (EU) rolls out its own COVID certificate to ensure travelers aren’t potentially spreading the COVID virus. While no longer a part of the EU, many in the United Kingdom hope to allow Americans back soon, though currently, there is a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

Asia

Throughout Asia, the requirements vary based on country. For example, South Korea requires a negative test and a 14-day quarantine, even if you’re vaccinated. Japan is even more strict with who can get in and who can’t. China is hopeful to be able to give travel visas to vaccinated tourists soon. Africa, on the other hand, is more open to American tourists, but it’s important to read up on the requirements prior to making any plans.

In fact, each country will have its own specific requirements that you should research thoroughly so that you aren’t planning accommodations and excursions, only to find out that you’re not allowed in. Check out this handy tool for where you can go and what the country requires of you.

Getting Back into the U.S.

Of course, going somewhere is only half the battle. You also have to get back home. In order to get on the flight back home, you have to show a negative COVID test from within the last 72 hours or a doctor’s note that you’ve recovered from COVID within a specific time frame. If you don’t, the airline is obligated to not allow you on the plane. This is currently required even if you’re vaccinated. Once you’re back, it’s also suggested you get another COVID test to be safe.

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Travel is a popular pastime and a way to explore our world, whether it’s a trip to see family in the next state over or crossing an ocean or two. With the global shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us had to put vacations and dream trips on hold, unsure if the opportunity had passed us by. Now that things are beginning to come under control, it’s tempting to immediately start acting like nothing happened, but we have to remember that COVID is still ravaging the world. That doesn’t mean we have to give up traveling, though. If you’re following safety guidelines, there’s little stopping you from going where you want, especially if you’re vaccinated.