What you need to know when beginning to travel in 2021.
When will post-vaccine travel start up again?
It’s hard to say for sure. Right now, the expectation is
that the general public will be able to begin to be vaccinated as early as this
coming summer. If you are seeing airfare deals for the summer or early fall
take advantage of booking now as prices are expected to increase as demand
picks back up.
What precautions will we still have to take while
traveling and for how long?
Until COVID nears eradication with sufficient vaccination
rates, get comfortable wearing masks, social distancing, and using a disinfectant.
In all likelihood, we're going to be seeing mask-wearing and general infection
control precautions throughout 2021.
How else might the COVID-19 vaccine change travel?
It is fair to assume that soon, hotels, airlines, and
immigration services may require proof of vaccination before you can travel. Countries
that have near-zero rates of transmission—New Zealand or parts of Australia—and
are waiting to vaccinate the entire country are going to be extra cautious. You
could receive a COVID-19 vaccination record to bring with you.
How do I find out travel restrictions for domestic travel?
Check state and local requirements before you travel to see
if there are quarantine mandates or testing requirements.
What are some tips to extra cautious now while traveling domestically?
·
For 14 days before you travel, take everyday
precautions like wearing masks, social distancing, and washing your hands.
Avoid the following activities that can put you at higher risk for COVID-19:
o
Going to a large social gathering like a
wedding, funeral, or party.
o
Attending a mass gathering like a sporting
event, concert, or parade.
o
Being in crowds like in restaurants, bars,
fitness centers, or movie theaters.
o
Being on trains, buses, in airports, or using
public transportation.
o
Traveling on a cruise ship or river boat.
Consider getting tested before your departure
·
Get your flu shot before you travel.
·
Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand
sanitizer.
·
Know when to delay your travel. Do not travel if
you or your travel companions are sick.
·
Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered
when in public settings, including on public transportation and in
transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
·
Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet
apart (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not from your travel group.
·
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
·
Bring enough of your medicine to last you for
the entire trip.
·
Pack food and water in case restaurants and
stores are closed, or if drive-through, take-out, and outdoor-dining options
aren’t available.
·
If you are considering cleaning your travel
lodgings, see CDC’s guidance on how to clean and disinfect.
What happens if I'm traveling internationally now and
come back after January 26?
It doesn't matter when you left: If you are returning to the
US on or after January 26, you will have to be tested and show proof of being
Covid-19 negative before being allowed to board.
I'm visiting a US territory, do I need to get tested?
No. US territories and possessions of the US are exempt,
according to the CDC.
If I'm a US resident and have to pay for a test while I'm
abroad, will my health insurance cover it?
It depends on your insurance plan; you should definitely
file for reimbursement. "It never hurts to ask,"
Who is checking test results at the airport?
It depends on the destination, but you'll likely be asked
for documentation of a negative test result from the first airline employee you
have contact with when you're at the airport.
That could be at the ticket counter if you're checking in
bags or with the gate agent if you have no checked bags.
Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all
passengers before boarding and must deny boarding to anyone who doesn't provide
documentation of a negative test or documentation of having recovered from
Covid-19, according to the CDC.
The new mandate may mean that you won't be able to check-in
online for your flight to the US. You'll have to check-in at the airport, so be
sure to arrive in advance to give yourself enough time to do so.
I'm flying to the US by private plane. Does this new
requirement apply to me?
Yes, the order applies to commercial and private flights, according
to the CDC.
What kind of documentation do I need to show?
The CDC is requiring fliers to have a paper or electronic
copy of their negative test results.
I already had Covid-19. What kind of documentation do I
need?
If you've recovered from Covid-19 within the past three
months, you will need both proof that you tested positive in the past three
months before your flight and a letter from your doctor stating that you're
cleared for travel.
If you recovered from the virus more than three months ago,
the CDC says that you will need to
retest and show proof of negative results before being allowed to board your
plane.
People who have been vaccinated are still required to have a
Covid-19 test before entering the US.
I've gotten the Covid-19 vaccine. Do I still need to
test?
Yes, the same requirements apply.
How do I find a local testing site while I'm abroad?
It will vary by country, but make sure that you will be able to
get a test at your destination before you leave the US.
You can find a testing location by asking your hotel in
advance of your trip or checking the destination's official tourism site.
In addition, in the past week, a growing number of hotels,
especially in destinations that are popular with American travelers, have
started to offer on-site testing.
In St. Lucia, for example, more than 20 properties and
villas will offer free rapid testing.
Baha Mar in the Bahamas has rapid tests for $25 and PCR
tests for $125. At La Colección Resorts throughout the Dominican Republic and
Mexico, rapid testing is free. And at Curtain Bluff in Antigua, testing is $250
a person for either PCR or rapid test results.
The return time for test results varies by property.
Are airlines allowing passengers to change their flights
so that they can arrive in the US before the testing requirements take effect?
Some are allowing free changes including waiving the
difference in fare.
Delta, for example, is waiving the fare difference through
February 9 for customers who were booked to travel internationally to the US
through February 9, if they rebook their trip to begin on or before January 25.
American Airlines and United Airlines are also waiving the
fare difference for customers because of the new requirements.
With American, customers who have flights scheduled from
January 12 to February 9 can rebook for no charge if they're departing from and
arriving at the destinations on their original ticket. However, their trips
must start on or before January 25.
With United, the fare difference will be waived for fliers
rebooking international tickets purchased on or before January 12 for scheduled
travel to the US through February 15.
My test result came back positive. Now what?
You should self-isolate and delay travel if symptoms develop
or a pre-departure test result is positive until you recover from Covid-19.
Why do you consider traveling by chauffeured car a safe
option for local and regional ground travel?
Information on different types of travel:
Air travel
Air travel requires spending time in security lines and
airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and
frequently touched surfaces. Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily
on flights because of how air is circulated and filtered on airplanes. However,
social distancing is difficult on crowded flights and sitting within 6 feet of
others, sometimes for hours, may increase your risk of getting COVID-19. How
you get to and from the airport, such as with public transportation and
ridesharing, can also increase your chances of being exposed to the virus.
Bus or train travel
Traveling on buses and trains for any length of time can
involve being in crowded terminals and sitting or standing within 6 feet of
others, which may increase your risk of getting COVID-19. If you choose to
travel by bus or train, learn what you can do to protect yourself on public
transportation.
Self-Driven Car travel
Making stops along the way for gas, food, or bathroom breaks
can put you and your traveling companions in close contact with other people
and frequently touched surfaces.
RV travel
You may have to stop less often for food or bathroom breaks,
but RV travel usually means staying at RV parks overnight and getting gas and
supplies at other public places. These stops may put you and those with you in
the RV in close contact with others.
Chauffeured Ground Travel
You will be driven by a health checked and monitored chauffeur
with an option to have a divider between you and them. The chauffeur will be wearing
a mask and your vehicle will be deep cleaned and sanitized before your pickup. Except
for if you need a bathroom or food break you will not have to get out of the
vehicle to pump gas or have any encounters with any other people. Should the
chauffeur need to stop for fuel they will take every safety precaution possible
and follow sanitizing procedures prior to getting back in the vehicle.
For more information on chauffeured ground travel and safety
please visit: https://companycarlimo.com/duty-of-care/
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