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By: Christina Presmy
“Rona” has left everyone feeling like 2020 has been a mixture of different emotions. People who were used to just packing their bags and catching a flight to leave behind their problems find themselves now stuck in their hometown and cities to face them head-on, as COVID-19 has put most, if not all travel on halt.
However, as the ending of this pandemic seems farther and farther away as the days go by, traveling has started up again. Flights are taking off, passports have continued being issues, and tickets are getting booked!
I’m here to bring the scoop on what traveling during COVID-19 is like:
Taking Flight
At the beginning of this pandemic, flights were dirt cheap. I mean as low as $20 (and still are) to fly from city to city. While flights have since increased in price due to more people traveling, they are still at pretty good rates and deals are hot, as airlines are trying to get the travel industry back to “normal”. JetBlue has offered buy one, get one deal on flights. Many airlines have also adapted to a new “no cancellation” fee which is a benefit to travelers.
So, flights have become cheaper, deals are at an all-time high, and the time to hit “Book Now” is well, now.
As for being on the actual plane, many airlines are having passengers board from the back to front of the place. This leads to everyone boarding so much faster. Airlines like JetBlue and Delta are leaving the middle seats empty to continue distancing measures. However, it is important to do your research, as you might be surprised when you book through Frontier and United are not. Better safe than sorry.
Navigating the Airport
Social distancing is indirectly enforced throughout many airports. The signs are everywhere. The floors are marked for people to stay within six feet of each other, but people will be people. Some follow the measures and some will breathe down your neck while waiting behind you in line. Seats at boarding gates are marked to skip for social distancing as well. For the most part, the common person knows that it is a sensitive time so social distancing is respected.
Masks are required. There are no exceptions around this. No mask, no boarding, and you will most likely be stopped by an official/employee to mask-up.
More shops than normal are closed, but other than that, everything is pretty normal at airports honestly.
Once In Country
Some things that will help you on your trip: On Airbnb experiences/even on a website if it says unavailable to book, try messaging the host of the activity on WhatsApp, or Facebook to book besides the app. This can also guarantee that you have a private experience, which is essential to staying away from as many people as possible.
Try to locate pharmacies, clinics that are nearby to where you are staying just in case of an emergency. Also, ask locals for the best doctors. Medical care out of the U.S is usually amazingly cheap!
If your phone is unlocked you can get a local SIM card that will allow you to have a local phone number in the country. This means you will have data and able to make phone calls in case of any emergencies.
Countries U.S Citizens Can Travel To
The number one country you may have seen everyone taking a flight to is Mexico. This is because entry into Mexico is super easy in the time of COVID-19. No test is required, or quarantine, so you can just walk onto Mexico territory and vacation as usual. Some see this as a relief, and others as a COVID-19 walking zone.
Here is a link that lists whereas of September 17, 2020, U.S citizens can travel to. Some restrictions may apply like a test required upon arrival and 14-day quarantine, so do additional research to make sure that these restrictions fit into your plans.
In addition to Mexico, a U.S passport can get you into Aruba, Turkey, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Tanzania, & more.
Not as many options, but way more than most would expect in a time like this.
So as you see, people are still taking flight. If you want to travel doing so responsibly is more than possible. It might seem like the world has stopped, but the travel industry is taking steps to go back to what was once known as normal.
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