COVID has changed the world we live in so much.  There are mask requirements that didn’t exist before, COVID testing, vaccine cards and mandates that weren’t necessary before.  It has also changed the way we travel.  If you fly, you are now required to wear a mask.  Many hotels are now charging extra fees for cleaning that they didn’t charge before because of all the extra sanitization that is necessary.  Many companies require vaccination in order for a person to even enter the building.  There is always concern for another possible shut down in the future.  So how do you plan for a trip with all these new changes?

These days there are two types of people.  There are those who are concerned about getting COVID and those who are not.  The media is doing all they can to create as much fear as possible.  Fortunately, in the US, even though we are still seeing spikes, things have certainly become much more normal in many places.  That being said, there are still things that need to be considered if you are planning a trip.  First, you need to determine your own level of concern.  If you are afraid of getting COVID or considered high risk, you need to be sure to avoid places that are considered COVID hot spots, or where COVID is currently in a spike.  Perhaps, holding off on travel is your best choice in this case.

Many people, however, ourselves included, are more than ready for things to get back to “normal”.  There are things, though, that still have to be taken into consideration.  First of all, what are the mandates and rules for the area you are travelling to.  In the US, there are some areas, like Florida and Texas, where there are fewer mandates and some areas, like California and New York, that have the strictest mandates in the country.  Then there is everything in between.  In some states, you may be required to be vaccinated or will have to wear a mask everywhere you go.  In these states you will be required to carry a vaccine card (or have a picture of it on your phone).  In other states, you may have to wear a mask even if you are vaccinated, again, have that vaccine card ready.  Then, there are states, that don’t have any vaccine mandates. It’s each person’s choice whether they want or need to wear a mask.  If you are concerned about getting COVID, it’s best to avoid travelling to these states.

If you are travelling internationally, there are even more things to consider.  If you are unvaccinated, most countries will require you to quarantine for up to 2 weeks and may charge you a fee for that quarantine time if they have to provide a place for you to stay during that time.  Others you can’t travel to at all if unvaccinated.  In most countries, even if you are vaccinated, you will be required to test 1 to 3 days before your trip and in some, you may have to test upon entering the country and quarantine until the test comes back negative.  Some countries require you to purchase travel insurance or fill out a “Passenger Locator Card” or a travel registration card.  A few countries also require you to fill out a health questionnaire or provide a written statement that you have not been around someone who tested positive for COVID.  Some countries also require you to go through a health screening before entry is granted and a few countries still have curfew and travel restrictions in place.  Before planning your trip, it’s best to contact the embassy to verify what requirements are still in place in the country you are planning to go to.

You also have to take into account your return trip.  Do you have to quarantine once you return to your home country?  Is there a requirement to have a COVID test done before coming home, or after getting home?  Will your job require you to quarantine before going back to work?  These are things that are very important to know before your trip as well.

Once you have verified the requirements for your trip, you may still run into some places that may be more strict about COVID requirements than others, so it’s a good idea to be prepared.  If you are fully vaccinated, even if where you are going doesn’t have any vaccine mandates in place, you should still carry a mask because there may be places that have their own mask requirements in place.  No matter where you are travelling, be sure to do whatever is necessary to be safe so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.  Happy Travelling!