Summer travelers want to know if they need to be vaccinated, where to go and where not … [+]
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Travel can be confusing even in the best of times. But it’s especially confusing this summer. People want to know if they need a COVID test to travel, if they need to be fully vaccinated, and when to wear a mask.
“It can be tricky finding answers to all of your questions about where to go and what COVID restrictions are being applied to that destination,” said Andrew Williams, travel advisor at Ovation Travel Group.
He says the information published online quickly becomes out of date.
“Any COVID-related information posted on a company’s official website that is more than a week old is likely overdue for an update as the situation is still very fluid,” he says.
I know. I answered questions like, “Do I need a COVID test to travel?” on my non-profit advocacy site since the eruption, and the answer seems to be changing by the minute.
Here is a list of the most common travel questions – and answers:
Do I need a COVID test to travel domestically?
If you are flying domestically, The answer is no. In fact, there was never a federal testing requirement for domestic flights. Hawaii has a state-mandated testing requirement – more on that in a minute.
“If you’re fully vaccinated, you won’t need a COVID-19 test before or after domestic travel unless required by local, state or territorial health officials,” says Jan Carney, professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. “Plus, you don’t have to quarantine yourself when you return.”
Do I need a COVID test to travel internationally?
If you go abroad, it depends on the country. All test requirements can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. When returning to the United States, regardless of your vaccination status, you will need to present a negative COVID-19 test.
For a visual breakdown of what you can and can’t do Check out this quick guide to COVID and Travel from Travel Again.
Do I have to be fully vaccinated to travel?
It depends where you are going. The CDC further recommends delaying the trip until you are fully vaccinated. “They also say that if you are not fully vaccinated but need to travel, follow CDC recommendations when traveling,” added Shelley Ewing, president of Tier One trip. This includes getting tested before and after your trip and quarantining yourself.
Most travel agents recommend that their clients get vaccinated before they travel to be on the safe side. If you test positive abroad, you will have to wait until you can show a negative test result. And that can add days or even weeks to your trip.
You will likely either need to be fully vaccinated or test negative Visit Europealthough details are still being worked out.
Where can I go now?
This may take some research. A good travel advisor can tell you where to go and if you need a COVID test to travel. You can always do your own research Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Several other websites also list travel requirements. One of the newest Air heart new tool, Researcher Tool, aggregates information about where to go based on your place of origin. It covers local regulations on shopping, bars, restaurants and public transport. With the tool you can, for example, filter places where you do not need quarantine.
“Travelers can make an informed decision when it is really worth the trip,” said Lindsey Renken, CEO of Airheart.
Another helpful resource: Peanut trip, a new Google Chrome extension This shows the current COVID-19 travel requirements when you search for flights on Expedia, Booking or Google Flights.
Do I have to wear a mask when I travel?
Probably. According to the Centers for Disease ControlFully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a mask or physical distance in any setting unless required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations. Face masks, however are still needed on airplanes, buses and other public transport. So if you travel you will likely still have to mask yourself.
Does my hotel have a mask requirement?
It could. “It all depends on the location,” says Jennifer Lobb, owner of JJ travel design. She just got back from Mexico, where all the resort staff wore face covers, but the guests were under no obligation and most were not. I was just at a Florida hotel that required face covering, but no one was obeying the rules. In general, you will still need to wear a mask indoors, and especially in hotel elevators, but not in your room.
Here are the face mask requirements for Hilton, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Marriott.
Do I have to quarantine when I travel?
May be. According to the CDC, some state and local authorities Quarantine may be required for returning travelers.
“Those who are not vaccinated should continue to follow standard CDC guidelines to get tested for viruses within 1 to 3 days of your trip,” said Ramzi Yacoub, chief pharmacy officer at SingleCare. “When you return home, you should have a virus test 3 to 5 days after your trip and stay home for a week after your trip to self-quarantine.”
These local regulations may vary. For example, Hawaii still requires proof of a negative COVID test 72 hours before arrival. traveler must have their negative test results before leaving for the islands as an alternative to Hawaii’s mandatory 10-day quarantine.
“These guidelines are constantly changing, so travelers should keep checking the CDC and their state websites for the latest guides until they leave,” says Yacoub.
How can I be sure I have the latest travel information?
COVID-19 restrictions are in an almost constant flux, according to experts. To be sure, you have to be an expert – or find one.
“Hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and even countries are often slow to update their websites or publish conflicting information,” says Kim Greulich, founder of KG Travel Club, a travel agency. “To avoid the risk of misinformation, travelers should call the facility a week before and the day before directly during the planning process.”
How about country restrictions? Careful research is a must. You can find information on the country’s official website, but a trusted travel advisor can also help. Agents work with target marketing companies who work directly with their country’s tourism authority to get the latest information.
Where can I find information on airline, hotel, and rental car policies?
Some companies offer this information to subscribers. TripActions, a cloud-based travel management platform, recently launched a know before you go Section with the most up-to-date information on cancellation policies, loyalty program updates, unused ticket credit applications, and major airline and hotel security improvements. However, your company needs to be a TripActions customer to get the information in one place.
By the way, you can also consult Sherpa who will provide some information to TripActions. For example it lists the countries open to US travelers. Sherpa also has information on the guidelines travelers need to know, including COVID-19 testing, quarantine measures, masking guidelines, and destination test locations.
If you’re concerned about rapidly changing regulations (and who isn’t?), Give it a try Limitless, a website of the travel insurance company SafetyWing. It provides updates and email notifications on travel restrictions, containment measures, and vaccination information around the globe. Many of these online resources will also tell you if you need a COVID test when traveling.
Should I go on summer vacation?
Ah, that is the big question! If your head is spinning after reading all of this, you may want to wait until after Labor Day to travel. The vaccines are almost entirely distributed, the summer crowds are thinning, and you may not need a COVID test to travel.
But if you’ve been vaccinated and restless after more than a year of lockdown, don’t wait. Summer is just around the corner.
