If your plans include travel out of the US, you need to pay attention to these restrictions and additional requirements.
You will need to have a COVID-19 test to come back into the US. Plan for the time and extra expense.
Make sure you know the guidelines for the country where you will be traveling to, as many are different.
You may need to quarantine.
Rules change daily it seems. Check with the US State Department before you plan your trip, before you buy tickets, and before you leave for the airport.
The United States and many other countries are starting to round the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an exciting development, even if this global event will likely stretch on for a while longer. For many people, the option to travel is suddenly realistic again. Of course, you want to continue being safe, even as case counts drop. The following five tips can help you enjoy safe travels, presented by TravelsandEscapes.net.
1. Remember General COVID Safety Tips
Vacations are about relaxing and getting away from the rigidity and rules of everyday life. However, that doesn’t mean that you should lighten up on COVID safety, according to the CDC. Remember to practice social distancing and to wear a mask when appropriate. Additionally, if you have not yet received the vaccine, discuss the options with a medical professional. Keep in mind that some destinations may require vaccination for travel.
2. Consider Alternative Travel Options
Think about your options for traveling. Getting to and from your destination is likely the riskiest part of vacationing in terms of COVID. It can be hard to socially distance when on a plane or train. Consider other options such as taking a road trip in your car. Alternatively, some airlines and train operators have special plans to help protect passengers. While it may not be feasible for everyone, in some cases, you may be able to charter private transportation. Explore your options and choose what you feel most comfortable doing.
3. Make Sure You Know Your Destination’s COVID Rules
Keep in mind that wherever you are traveling may have different rules for COVID than your home. This is especially significant in international travel. However, it can also be the case when traveling between provinces or states, and even cities in some cases. There may be both stricter and more relaxed rules. In either case, be prepared to read up on and comply with destination regulations and for general cultural shifts regarding COVID.
4. Look for Private Accommodation Options
Crowded hotels and resorts can become disease hotspots. Instead, consider renting private accommodations such as online homestays. Many options can be as affordable as a hotel room or other traditional accommodation. This is a great choice if you are planning a group vacation. You can get together with friends and family at a destination while still socially distancing yourself from strangers.
5. Pack Smart for the Situation
Traveling during a global pandemic can be an anxiety-provoking experience. Make it less stressful by packing intelligently. For example, you should ensure that your travel documents are easy to access. A passport wallet can help with organization, and use a luggage tag to clearly identify your luggage, especially if you are traveling with others with similar bags.
You also want to stay up to date with the latest news for both your home and your destination, so take measures to keep your devices juiced up by investing in a reliable charger. Consider setting up news alerts for your phone, smartwatch, or another device. However, if you are feeling worried, try limiting yourself to checking the news once per day or less. Doomscrolling is hurting more than helping.
As the situation improves, COVID-friendly travel becomes more possible. For many people, the recent improvements in the state of the pandemic present an exciting opportunity to travel. However, that is no reason to throw caution to the wind. The above tips can help you enjoy your trip while staying safe.
Traveling to France is on my list. Therefore, I have read a lot of sites and posts about Covid-19 and vaccinations in France. I want to know in advance what vaccinations are required of me, where I can go, and what I can do before I plan my trip.
What Does France Require?
French President Emmanuel Marcon introduced new Covid-19 regulations for vaccinations this summer. These mandates will start in August. They include limiting places with more than 50 people, like bars, cafes, trains, planes, etc. to those who are vaccinated or recently tested negative for Covid-19.
What if Americans Have Had Their Vaccinations?
If you are a vaccinated American, the white card issued by the US CDC does not always serve as the French Health Pass.
What is a French Health Pass?
Bring your card showing your vaccinations with you to France. Any willing French doctor or pharmacist can enter the vaccination information in the French system. This will generate a printout with a QR code. You can then create a paper or electronic version of the French Health Pass.
How Can You Do This?
How can you find a pharmacist to do this? Many pharmacies offer antigen tests free to Americans, with results in 30 minutes.
What is Acceptable?
The French Consular office in D.C. and the U.S. Embassy confirmed the CDC-issued white vaccination card is considered acceptable proof of vaccination for entry to France. If you are flying on Air France, check ahead of time. There have been flights that did not accept the vaccination card and wanted the French QR code.
Can you show your digital copy from your phone? Possibly, depending on where you are and how strict that establishment is.
What About Unvaccinated Americans?
As for Americans, if you are unvaccinated, you will be required to show a negative PCR test or rapid test taken within 72 hours prior to departure for France.
Bottom Line…
If you are going in the near future, check your airline, hotel, and other important places you will be to see what exactly is required. Right now, it can be a little confusing.
Traveling has many benefits, but for those who don’t have much time or money, it can be difficult to get away. Fortunately, there are several ways you can travel to just about anywhere your heart desires without breaking the bank, and if you do a bit of research ahead of time, you’ll save yourself several hours of driving or walking by looking for the best destinations for your needs.
That research is important; while the idea of jetting off to a new city is romantic and fun, it’s not ideal for those looking for a way to save time and money. Do some homework to find not only the best deal on transportation, but the best deal on a place to stay and how to find one close to everything you need. For instance, if you grab a hotel room by the airport simply because it has the cheapest rate, you might find yourself having to spend extra money on a cab or Uber to get to restaurants and events, or you might have to walk long distances to get there, which will take up valuable time.
Travels and Escapes shares some great tips on how to avoid wasting hours and dollars on your next trip.
Plan ahead
Planning your trip a couple of months in advance will often ensure you get the best deal on accommodations and plane tickets. You can also plan your departure and arrival on days that aren’t typically peak travel times; Tuesdays are usually the best days to get a good price for air travel, according to BudgetTravel.
Do some homework
Make sure you know everything worth knowing about your transportation and accommodations before you book anything. Resorts sometimes have added, “hidden” fees that you won’t see until the end of your stay, which can be a nasty surprise to say the least. Understanding exactly what you’ll be responsible for will help you stay on budget and will give you peace of mind.
Think locally
Travel doesn’t have to be exclusively to faraway places; you can likely find all sorts of fun things to do in cities near you. Look online for the best cities to visit that are within an hour or two of your hometown and take a day or weekend trip. This is a great option for people who have full schedules and can’t afford to take a longer trip.
You don’t even have to leave town! Simply rent a vacation home in San Diego and stay near the city’s attractions that interest you. For example, if you want to enjoy San Diego’s thriving restaurant and music scene, you can find a home in the Gaslamp Quarter. If you’d prefer to spend time near the water, look for a home near one of San Diego’s beautiful beaches. Most vacation homes come with fully equipped kitchens, so you’ll be able to save substantially by cooking your own meals instead of eating out all the time.
Take public transit
Just about anywhere you visit will have some form of public transportation, so take advantage of it! It’s usually either free or very inexpensive, and if you’ll be doing a lot of sightseeing it’s the way to go if you want to save money (and shoe leather).
Remember that traveling on a budget means you’ll need to be careful about keeping your funds safe. Never flash your cash in public, and, if possible, wear a travel pack that straps to your body to keep your money and credit cards close. With a little planning, you’ll be able to take the trip you’ve always wanted to take and keep your cash where you want it: in your pocket.
In 1996, the U.S. Department of State issued 5.5 million passports. Fast forward to 2019 and that number has since been trending upward, reaching just under 21 million in 2019.
Need to send in your old passport to get a new one? The Department of State recommends that applicants use a trackable shipping method, such as Priority Mail Express, to keep tabs on their application and know when it arrives safely at its destination.
Think you have plenty of time to renew? Don’t take your passport’s expiration date at face value. Some countries have a six-month or three-month passport validity rule that requires your passport to be valid for a certain amount of time after your date of entry.
If your passport was issued after August 2007, you’ve got what is called an e-passport. This has a small integrated chip in the back cover that stores your passport information and a biometric identifier based on your photograph. To protect passport holders from unknowingly falling victim to high-tech identity theft, there are metallic elements in the cover of the passport, making it impossible for the passport to be digitally “read” until it’s physically open.
Has your appearance changed significantly? You probably need to apply for a new passport. This is in case you’ve lost or gained a lot of weight, so much so that you look different than you do in your passport photo. It also applies if you have undergone significant facial surgery, trauma, or if you’ve added or removed large facial tattoos or piercings.
Your photo must also reflect your current appearance. Face the camera and keep your expression neutral. Don’t wear a uniform with any writing on it.
What if you travel a lot and you run out of pages? The standard issue passport is 28 pages long. You can request one that is 52 pages at no extra cost. If you fill that up, you will need a new one.
You will also need a new one if yours is damaged more than just wear and tear. If it went swimming and is damaged by water, or if your kids drew all over it with their favorite crayons, or if there are tears on the book cover or the page with your personal info…you will definitely need a new one.
Did you know most countries want you to have at least one blank page for stamps? Some countries require to have up to three blank pages in your passport for visa and immigration stamps. Be sure to check before you travel.
Recently I read a post by Johnny Jet about safety and travel.
These are some excerpts from his interview with Kevin Coffey, a travel security expert. Kevin spent several decades as a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department and was responsible for the creation of the LAPD’s LAX Airport Crimes Investigation detail.
In this interview, he taught me numerous tips but none greater than what he calls his “What If?” Kevin’s tip is for everyone to do two things:
If you have a US passport, go to page 3 and fill out the In Case of Emergency page. In addition, he says to put either a sticky note or paper clip a piece of paper onto the inside cover with more In Case of Emergency information, mainly your cell phone number and those of your loved ones who are and are not traveling with you.
He also said it’s important to do this in the event that you’re traveling solo and you get in an accident or have a medical emergency. The first thing trained emergency workers do is go through your wallet to find contact information and if you’re traveling internationally, this will help enormously.
As travel begins to open up, keep in mind everything may not be as you are used to it. It is more important than ever to plan ahead. Look over your reservations and spend some time making sure things are in order.
For instance, make paper copies of all your reservations. Why? It’s just one more back up for you. Plus, airlines may require different forms when checking in for a flight. This includes flight info, hotel reservations, and your vaccination record.
If you are like many travelers, it’s fun to stop somewhere you hadn’t planned. You see a cute roadside café or an interesting winery. Chances are now, you will need a reservation. Keep that in mind.
Schedules have always changed…especially when purchasing air reservations in advance. That may become intensified as airlines work through pandemic rules. Airports will probably have new rules as well. You could check to see what is different in airports you will be using. Be prepared to wear a mask at all times during the flight, unless you are eating or drinking.
Rental cars…very short supply as companies sold off some of their inventory during the pandemic. Check and double check your reservation. Again, make paper copies of all your reservation info. Be prepared to pay much more than you used to, as well.
Some tips I read from Johnny Jet about your vaccination card…
Instead of laminating it, put it in a resealable plastic badge holder from an old travel conference. You can always buy one if you’ve thrown your old ones away.
Another tip from a reader of his website says he is going to shrink his card to wallet size. Then he can carry it more easily. He also had several copies made, full size and shrunk. He can put those in with his travel documents.
By the way, he keeps his original in a safe place.
According to several sites, it may not be a good idea to laminate your COVID-19 vaccination card. Why? The ink on the vaccination card can become illegible.
Some cards the label is placed on the card mentions the vaccine brand and lot number. Those have been printed on thermal printer labels. If you put that through a thermal laminator, they will be completely black and illegible.
Instead, CDC officials recommend making photocopies of the card and taking a photo of your original.
“Each day, our officers screen hundreds of thousands of airline travelers ensuring they arrive at their destinations safely. We expect to screen a higher number of travelers regularly by the summer months and will need additional officers to support our critical mission”, said Melanie Harvey, acting Executive Assistant Administrator for TSA’s Security Operations.
In addition to an increased number of passengers, the TSA will have to spend time enforcing the new federal transportation mask requirement. TSA agents can issue fines starting at $250 for non-compliant passengers and going up to $1,500 for repeat offenders.
Based on regular seasonal travel trends plus predicted COVID-19 vaccination availability for the general public, the TSA is looking to hire over 6,000 Transportation Security Officer (TSO) positions to meet passenger demand by this summer.
Does this mean airports will be full again? Probably not. Numbers will be up but probably not back to 2019 numbers until late 2022 or early 2023.
