The rumble about traveling in our COVID-ravaged world continues to worry those who long to be out there again. Do I need a COVID-19 test to get on a plane? What is a health pass? Can’t I just wear my vaccination card? If not, can I not travel? Should I just sit in my basement?

We’ll answer the last question first: no, don’t try to sit in your basement, also because most of them California houses don’t have basements.

Those hoping to travel to the US or visit another country may need new documents and new responsibilities. Here you can find answers to some frequently asked questions.

Do I need a COVID-19 negative test to board a domestic flight? Mostly no. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention briefly reviewed this idea last month before being rejected. But the agency recommends you Get tested three to five days after you travel and stay home for a week.

One kind of exception is Hawaii, for which you must have one negative exam prior to arrival or schedule quarantine for the first 10 days you are there. Your test has to come from someone List of designated test sites (bit.ly/hawaiitestsites).

Do I need a negative test to fly home to the US from an overseas destination? Yes. It doesn’t matter if you are a citizen; The CDC says you must have one negative test within three days of your departure.

What if i had the vaccine? In some cases, you may not be taken to a country.

You may have completed your recordings, but you are not allowed to go to Australia or Belgium. You can use Canada’s Restrictions Assistant to see if your circumstances allow you to enter.

For example, I pocketed that I was a foreigner, had no COVID symptoms, and was coming to a wedding from the United States. Answer: No, not allowed. There is a little wiggle room in some categories. If you want to visit someone who is dying you may be able to get in, but the person you are visiting must be Canadian and you must apply for a “compassionate entry”. If the person is not a Canadian resident, the answer is no.

Will proof of a vaccine or negative test be the key to traveling to some countries? Probably, and that’s why you are gradually hearing about “health passports,” apps that allow you to get a vaccination record or negative test on your smart device.

Who can do this? Several organizations including the World Economic Forum and the Commons Project Foundation (CommonPass); IBM (Digital Health Pass); and the International Air Transport Assn. ((passportwhich are integrated into some airline apps).

Some countries are developing their own, including Bahrain and Malaysia. Airlines partner with companies like VeriFly Accelerating the security / identity issues that are central to the travel experience.

Why aren’t more of these ready to go? Because it’s more complicated than it seems at first glance. The challenge is not just about health considerations when traveling. Instead, it seeks to create a system that is secure, digital and comprehensive, said Nick Careen, senior vice president of airport, passenger, cargo and security at IATA.

People are understandably nervous about the security of their information. “From our perspective as a data company,” said Rob Shavell, data protection professional and managing director of Ah ok“It’s very difficult to protect information once it’s out there.”

Some organizations say they will leave this data with you – that is, on your phone so that you are in control. However, Shavell said, “It’s much safer with all of your data on the phone. [But] The apps themselves can have security gaps. “

As for digital, see your documentation once you’ve received the COVID-19 vaccination. You probably have a little white card. The name part of the one I received was blank. I could have written in any name. Next it was paper. If 60% of LA County’s residents get the vaccine, that’s 5.7 million records if you subtract children under 5, based on a July 2019 census.

The LA County Department of Public Health said these records will be digitized. “We publish electronic digital vaccination records with date and type (Moderna / Pfizer / J & J) [recipients] can save it in their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet and always access it from their phone, “said a spokesman in an email.

However, according to Careen, the process of digitization will “require governments to think retrospectively”.

Then you set this digital standard. Shouldn’t these vaccination protocols, not just those in the USA, have to be adapted? Oh yes. The standards are still under investigation, although recommendations are expected in the next few weeks, maybe sooner, he said.

Some people are disenfranchised because they lack computer skills or accessibility. Airlines should continue to have the opportunity to inspect paper documents. But Careen said, “If we check every piece of paper, you will never operate an airliner, whether you solve an operational problem or not.”

Why should proof of vaccination be accepted when those who have been vaccinated can still spread the virus? Much unknown is known about the spread of COVID-19 by vaccinated people, but it appears that vaccination reduces the chances of getting infected with someone else.

“Transmission occurs when enough virus particles from an infected person get into the body of an uninfected person.” Microbiologist Deborah Fuller of the University of Washington School of Medicine said in an interview with the World Economic Forum that is Working on the development of CommonPass.

“In theory, anyone infected with the coronavirus could potentially transmit it. However, having a vaccine will make this less likely to happen.

“If vaccination doesn’t completely prevent infection, the amount of virus that comes out of your nose and mouth – a process known as shedding – is generally significantly reduced and the time it takes for you to shed the virus. This is a big deal. A person who gives off fewer viruses is less likely to pass it on to someone else. ”

Because it’s not 100%, social distancing, vigilant hygiene, and masking are still a good idea, she said.

Countries are also concerned about travelers receiving COVID-19 and being hospitalized, and that’s why many want to Vaccination certificate and health insurance. They do not want their health systems to be burdened by foreigners sucking up valuable resources that must be reserved for citizens.

Each country has its own entry requirements. For example, the countries of the European Union have opened their borders to residents of Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and China (but under conditions for retroactive effect from China). Note which country is not on this list.

Maybe you can try Iceland or Italy. No Iceland is not a member of the European Union, but follows its guidelines, as does EU member Italy. So far, US citizens are prohibited from traveling to these and other countries.

Change is a constant, so the website of the target or their message is helpful. Check too IATA open-closed cardwho published rules and regulations for visiting different countries.

If this seems messy, unformed, and a little out of control, it’s because it is. Nobody planned this, but organizations try to get out of it if possible.

Going forward, Careen says his job is to make this “less chaotic”.

“We owe it … to the industry. … We owe it to consumers. “

Do you have a travel problem or question? Write to catharine@catharinehamm.com. We regret that we cannot answer every request.