Traveling in Times of COVID: What You Need to Know
To travel or not to travel, that is the question. I know we all have different opinions on this and that is 100% OK. But I am here to tell you that my opinion is yes, go ahead and travel. Live your life, go see the world, AND be smart/safe about it. As someone who very recently took a hop, skip, and jump over the Atlantic, here are some things I have noticed about travel in times of COVID and their implications.
1). Understand international travel bans
Current travel bans are super convoluted and hard to wrap your head around without a doubt. But never fear...I have found a one-stop shop for decoding travel bans. If you are considering international travel, check out the IATA Travel Regulations Map (updated daily). This resource is an interactive world map where you can choose a country and it will lay out exactly what you need to know from mandatory testing/quarantine, necessary travel documents, and restrictions according to nationality for your destination.
This should be your first step because unfortunately some destinations just may not be a possibility (for now). Especially if you are American (I can't stress this enough).
2). Double-check the airline's updated change and cancellation policies
Many airlines have decided to offer customers free cancellations and changes with minimal strings attached. But I emphasize *many*...not all. Head to your airline's website and familiarize yourself with their new policies. You don't want to find yourself in the position of needing to cancel last minute and not getting a refund.
3). Enable text alerts for your flight(s)
Less than 24 hours before my 3-leg journey, the middle portion was canceled and I was not notified. This was an airline problem (not a me problem) but it did make me think how important it is to enable notifications. If you end up in the same gut-wrenching situation as me, you want to know ASAP to arrange an alternative. Don't worry, I (obviously) was able to change flights and I made it to Italy in the end!
4). Mandatory mask-wearing
Mentally prepare yourself because you will for sure need to wear a mask from the moment you step foot in your home airport until you reach your accommodations. There is no way around this. I have yet to find an airline or an airport that doesn't enforce this. Pro tip: pack multiple masks that you can cycle through. Bacteria gets trapped in those suckers and (a) will not smell good (b) gets uncomfortable (c) is bad for your skin and (d) just kinda gross. FYI, I packed 4 for a 20-hour journey.
5). And speaking of masks...
Homemade cloth masks and masks with vents seem to be popular in the states right now. I get that this is a matter of necessity because of the shortage of PPE. But be aware that this may not be acceptable at your destination. When I bored my final flight to Italy wearing a cloth mask the flight attendant told me that cloth masks are not considered safe enough and she required me to wear the surgical mask she provided me with. Since arriving in Italy, I have not seen a single person wearing a cloth mask. Everyone wears surgical masks. Just something to keep in mind.
6). Carry your own wipes and hand sanitizer
I was supplied with an alcohol wipe and hand sanitizer before each of my flights. Still, I think it is a good idea to carry your own. I made sure to wipe down each of my seats just to be extra safe. Interestingly, before one of my flights, I got a super cool text (this is from United Airlines) saying: "We cleaned and disinfected the aircraft for your flight to Chicago, so we're ready to board at gate XXX." I love that for us.
7). Consider long-term travel
Most countries, especially if you are arriving as an American, require mandatory self-quarantine for the first 14 days. For this reason, I urge you to consider a longer trip to get the most out of your adventure. A 15 days trip with only 1 day of exploring past the confines of your apartment is simply not worth it.
8). Respect the cultural expectations of your destination
While traveling I noticed that both state-side airports I transited through (Denver and Chicago) had posted signs and stickers on the floor about keeping 6 feet distance. However, this was not respected whatsoever, and that is the norm in the states. In the European airports (Frankfurt and Florence) this was taken very seriously. Every other seat is taped up so you are forced to spread out. Honestly, it does not matter where you stand in terms of COVID regulations, you NEED to respect the country's norms if you want to be welcomed with open arms.
9). You will probably run into stigmas
At the moment, there is a huge stigma against Americans in Italy (and many other countries). Because of the state's inability to keep COVID numbers at bay, people are truly not big fans of Americans right now. And while I think this is ridiculous and highly stereotypical, it is something to be aware of before traveling. Yes, it is silly. I, the American, am quarantining in my monolocale for 14 days while the local Italians are out watching soccer in the bar under my apartment without a mask in sight. It is what it is. I got many nasty looks while traveling on an American passport.
10). There is never an ideal time to travel internationally!
I promise that you will always be able to find a reason why traveling to a different country is not ideal, at any point in your life. "Gee, I can't take my dream trip to Greece because my aunt's neighbor's best friend's cat just died!" I can't tell you how many times I got cold feet before my trip...thinking its truly stupid to travel during COVID while ALSO trying to recover from massive knee reconstruction surgery. But you know what? It doesn't matter. Go for it. Throw caution to the wind and go do what brings you joy. You can always go home if it's not what you hoped for, but you will never know until you try.
Happy safe traveling babes!