As we watch the world slowly open its doors to peek outside, we are all left with uncertainties about travel and how/when we can safely explore again.
I’ve been asked by several people what my thoughts are as a travel advisor. How and what would I advise? My answer is always, “it depends.” It depends on you – your comfort level, your expectations and your needs. There is no “one size fits all” answer. Lordy, I wish there was! These past few months has taken its toll on all of us, and I know we are all SO ready to adventure again!
With all of this in mind, we have compiled some resources that will help you make decisions that fit your specific needs.
Navigating this constantly evolving situation is what we are here for, and we are monitoring everything with a microscope. Paul is up to date on all of the latest aviation news as well so we have you covered! Feel free to lean on us for any travel advice, questions or concerns. And of course when you feel comfortable to travel, whether it’s a quick weekend away or your first post-covid overseas adventure, we’d love to work with you.
US STATE TO STATE UPDATES
Advisories for US & Canada from Marriott – they provide links to each state’s official policy on restrictions and openings.
Interactive US National Parks Update – state by state. Be sure to click on the state, then the park, then the “Alerts & Conditions” button to the right of the park description.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The below links are guidelines from individual nations, however the USA is still under a Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) warning for all American citizens.
Global Travel Restriction Map with up-to-date restrictions from Kayak
Interactive Global Covid-19 Travel Regulations Map by IATA. Click on the country you wish to learn about to see the pop-up with the latest information.
US State Department Travel up-to-date international advisories
AIR TRAVEL UPDATES
TSA Covid-19 Updates – As you may know, the TSA has changed some of their policies. A few examples are allowing up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer per passenger. They have also allowed passengers to use expired state ID’s if they expired after March 1, 2020. DHS recently announced an extension of time to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. The new deadline is October 1, 2021.
What to expect when flying? There is a lot of speculation and unknowns regarding the future of air travel. From covid guidelines to price fluctuation, it may take some time for the dust to settle. I don’t think we will know the answers to a lot of these questions until passenger loads begin to increase.
What Paul has seen while flying the past few months is fewer people, increased distancing measures (including boarding procedures) and state-of-the-art cleaning tools. This is good news.
Some more good news moving forward is that the dreaded middle seat may be a thing of the past! The bad of course is the time to pass security (once passenger numbers increase), the possibility of temperature screenings and of a very slow boarding process. This article from Lonely Planet outlines 8 changes we may see in the future.
Most airlines are requiring passengers to wear masks and already require crews to do the same.
Here are links to the individual policies of several US carriers:
FAQ’S AND NEWS TO KNOW
This is a great Q & A article from the Wall St. Journal for those wondering if it is safe to travel again.
Why You Need a Travel Advisor for Your Post-Pandemic Travel – Forbes.com
HOT TOPIC: Travel Insurance! This is a very personalized service and I am grateful to be affiliated with an organization that prioritizes our client’s needs. Our in-house expert, Laura Heidt, will guide you to find the solution that works best for your needs. I’m proud to offer this service is exclusively for our clients!
SPECIFIC HOUSEKEEPING, SAFETY, AND DISTANCING STANDARDS: We’ve been in contact with our partners, big and small, to learn about what housekeeping and distancing guidelines are in place. I can tell you the world has never be cleaner! Please reach out if you have specific questions about a property or destination. If I don’t know immediately, I will find out for you.
Be inspired by these wonderful and wild excursions right here in the US! We have so much to offer right here in our own backyard.
