Pandemic Travel is Getting More Complicated

UPDATED: January 6, 2021

Several times a week we get questions from the public about how to prepare for air travel during the pandemic. They want to know what to expect and what they should do.

The answers are simple …
 

• Expect much smaller airport crowds compared to pre-pandemic times
• Wash your hands
• When possible, maintain social distance
• Masks are required — over mouth AND nose

These bullet points have been the drill for the past nine months. But now, the worldwide surge in COVID infection is making things more complicated.

Consider the following developments …
 

• In the past 48 hours many countries have banned flights from the United Kingdom. They’re doing so in response to a new strain of COVID-19 found in infected patients. Several airlines are volunteering to health screen all passengers flying from the U.K. to New York state. Learn more, click here.
   
• The states of California, Oregon, and Washington are asking out of state visitors to self-quarantine for 14 days. Click here to read more about the California situation.

Here’s the bottom line: more and more travel restrictions are popping up around the world. At this point, it’s hard to keep track of them. Before flying we strongly recommend that people find out what the situation is at their destination. Also: check with your airline about COVID testing if you are flying internationally — many airlines are now pushing the government to require testing for passengers returning to the United States. Do your research before buying tickets. You don’t want to jump from the proverbial frying pan into the fire.

If you must travel, be safe!