Point at Issue: Six Feet or 1,000 Miles, How Far Should You Travel?
Stefan Cristian Cioata
So you are ready to travel again, you have packed your bag with hand sanitizer and masks, the only thing left is to pick a destination. While international travel is an option, restrictions do apply. If safety is your priority, however, traveling domestically may be the best option. Even though COVID cases are falling, and people are getting vaccinated, is it too risky to travel right now? Or is now the perfect time to take advantage of lower fares and fewer crowds? This answer is dependent on where you want to go and how you will get there.
To start, where do you want to go? The start of any good trip begins with this question. Normally an easy answer, whether it is Europe or a different state, is now a matter of what is open. "While much of Europe still remains closed to American tourists, a number of Caribbean, South and Central American, and African countries have reopened their borders to U.S. travelers." stated a recent article in the Wall Street Journal.
The requirements to enter countries vary greatly. Some require a negative COVID test; some impose mandatory 2-week quarantines once you get to your destination. Even if you follow all the directions, your trip plans can change depending on cases going up, and that can put coming back to the United States at risk. Traveling at this time could also negate your travel insurance, so look into this before you set out on a trip.
Traveling from country to country, if you do manage to get into Europe is difficult. There are a lot of rules on the timing of your negative COVID-19 test, why you can visit countries and if they are even open. There are a variety of protocols that are difficult to keep up with, as each European country has developed their own set of rules. “It remains vital that travelers crossing borders in Europe are up to date on the latest coronavirus-related travel restrictions because they are constantly changing,” wrote Michele Baran. One major rule that applies to a lot of countries is that the travel must be for essential reasons.
Even though the vaccination has been rolled out, traveling to and from Europe remains risky. This is due to the emerging “new coronavirus variants that have been found to be more transmissible. These variants have generated concern among governments racing to get their populations vaccinated,” continued Baran. Even traveling by train is not recommended because you still have to abide by the changing rules and could risk not being admitted due to an increase in the number of COVID cases in that region.
When the pandemic started, increased cases in Europe were traced back to travelers into and out of the country. This led to strict lockdowns that led to a decrease in cases. “Travel increases your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19 due to potential exposures on public transit, at airports, or in hotels. CDC continues to recommend postponing travel and staying home, as this is the best way to protect yourself and others this year,” cites the CDC website.
Right now, if you chose to travel, the fares are at the lowest they have ever been. Even last-minute trips are lower, and there are no-change fees to contend with. What is causing the lower fares? "Planes have been averaging about one-third full in recent weeks and carriers collectively losing about $5 billion a month, according to their trade group, Airlines for America.
Destinations in South East Asia are slowly opening for travel, but there are heavy restrictions on who can enter. Thailand is allowing visitors but you have to pass COVID tests, even while there, and stay for a 14-day quarantine. If you hold a US, Canadian, UK, or Australian passport, you do not need to apply for a tourism visa. You cannot stay for more than 45-days, provide proof of an insurance policy that covers treatment for Covid-19 up to the cost of $100,000 and you must provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of leaving.
Maybe South East Asia and Europe can wait, but there are still plenty of places you can get to within the United States. A benefit of working remotely is that you can work anywhere in the United States. You can take advantage of this and for a short time live somewhere different. There are great deals to be had on Airbnbs, and you can maintain social distancing in a house versus a hotel.
If you want to stay close to home, going on a camping trip is a great option. Away from people, out of the city, and socially distanced, it meets all the requirements. Many National Parks are open to campers, in addition to designated campsites across the United States. It is best to do research before going on what to bring and where you can legally go. There are rules based on the state or country you would like to go camping in, as you cannot just pitch a tent up anywhere legally.
If you do not want to deal with sleeping outside, building a fire, and fending off wild animals, maybe camping is not for you. In this case, a road trip could be the better option. Renting an RV is a great way to get across the United States comfortably. Craig Kirby, president of the RV Industry Association, says that a new survey showed that 13% of Americans plan to rent an RV in the next 12 months.
"This is in line with what we are seeing from RV rental companies across the country who are reporting not only significant increases in rentals, but also increases in the length of the rental trips," says Kirby. The major benefit of traveling in an RV is that it is easier to maintain social distancing, and the cost is significantly less than purchasing airfare, hotels, and car rentals. You have the option to stop wherever you wish and explore destinations you may not have thought of. You get a lot out of an RV trip.
If you must travel internationally, take all the necessary precautions to do it safely. Check the official tourism board websites to see what the latest up-to-date testing and quarantine requirements are. You should visit the State Department and Centers for Disease Control sites. Many have cautioned to either double mask or buy the best mask possible to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
"We're seeing significant pent-up demand for international travel," says Karisa Cernera, the manager for travel services at Redpoint Resolutions, a travel insurance company. "As countries are opening up travel for tourists and business travel, people are booking trips."
If you want to remain safe, maybe hold off on traveling. While more than 80 countries have rolled out vaccines, there is still risk in traveling. "Travel increases your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. Delay travel and stay home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, even if you are vaccinated," stated the CDC website. Sitting on a plane involves:
A level of risk touching surfaces.
Interacting with staff.
Being in close contact with passengers.
When you get there, another consideration is Airbnb versus hotel. There are a lot of debates on the safety of each. Many hotels are investing in rigorous cleaning policies to ensure the safety of travelers. "But travelers who long valued hotels for on-demand housekeeping, room service, and other staff-backed services may now view those same person-to-person interactions as liabilities, wrote lifestyle editor Alesandra Dubin. You will encounter fewer people at an Airbnb versus a hotel, but you trust that a stranger will completely disinfect the house.
"Again, no matter what lodging you pick, the main thing you'll want to consider is the likelihood you'll encounter other people and the number and length of such encounters. Plus, factor in the location, and if possible, avoid regions with high rates of infection," explained Dubin
Completely avoiding travel comes with its own benefits. If you chose not to travel, you could save up for a huge trip when everything is fully reopened, and you can have a better experience. Most countries are still not close to reopening, and those that are may have to close again. There is no way to determine what type of experience you will have if you travel right now with this uncertainty. Many of the sights that you plan to see will likely be closed or restricted. You may not even be able to sit in a restaurant to eat. It is also, as previously stated, safer to stay at home.
Italy, for example, has been one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic. They have had more than 2.5 million infections and around 88,500 deaths from Covid-19. "It recorded 11,252 new coronavirus cases and 237 deaths on Sunday," reported a newswire. Italy's regions are divided into yellow, lower risk, and orange, higher risk areas.
The Vatican has just reopened after 88 days, the longest it has ever been closed. The landmarks such as the Coliseum, museums and the Pantheon have been reopened, but there are curfews to contend with in these regions. With all of these factors, planning a trip becomes tedious, with many details that come into play. Many other European countries have similar precautions set in place, so it is best to research your intended destination before travel and plan for it to change.
"If you have a pre-existing condition, are immunocompromised, or of a certain age – and haven't been vaccinated – you're more likely to be vulnerable to infection," said Christina Tunnah, general manager of the Americas at travel insurance company World Nomads. "You should carefully weigh the benefits of travel compared to the risks."
If you must fly, take into consideration the safety protocols of the airline you choose. How far apart are the seats from one another? Are they leaving the middle seat open for safety? You need to factor in the cleanliness of the plane and airport to the risk of exposure. Besides, travel insurance may be necessary because you might not be able to leave or come back into the country.
Whatever you decide to do, prioritizing safety should be first. If you choose to travel, do so safely, but with the distribution of vaccines, holding off for a few more months could prove the best option. You can now focus on saving money, which a lot of us are doing indirectly, no driving to work or taking public transportation. When things are fully reopened, many tourist destinations will have incredible deals to drive people to them. Now with a decent amount of money put away, you can take a fantastic trip at a significantly lower cost.