It's easy to think of the coronavirus as a complex and frustrating maze. Consider all the twists and turns you have to navigate even before leaving home on vacation. Where is it safe to travel? And where are you allowed to go? What precautions will you need to take while getting to your destination? And once you're there, what then? It takes a lot of planning, but for most, it's worth the additional effort. For answers to some of these questions, you can refer to this recent Exploria Resorts article for helpful tips on how to maintain your family's health and safety while traveling. Going on vacation during a pandemic is doable. Keep in mind that even if you've opted for the coronavirus vaccine, a number of travel restrictions may still apply. For updated CDC guidelines, read more here. By all accounts, there is hope on the horizon that we'll achieve a sense of normalcy before the end of 2021. Some travel companies are reporting that 40% of people surveyed now feel safe traveling. And one research company projected that more than three-quarters of those surveyed believe that by this fall, travel will feel almost normal again. Traveling by Car It's true - travel planning has become a lot more complex these days. For example, most states – and even some cities and individual establishments - have their own mask requirements and other travel restrictions. Fortunately, companies like AAA are providing interactive tools that help you get from here to there safely. Their detailed COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map indicates levels of restriction, and reporting status by state/province, county, and city. (As of this date, 20 U.S. states are showing no travel restrictions.) The tool is an excellent way to map out your trip and determine, at a glance, whether you'll need to dig deeper for restrictions that could impact your vacation. Air Travel within the U.S. If you're traveling by plane within the United States, the safety requirements are essentially the same as they were a year ago. Both at the airport and on the plane, you have to wear an acceptable face covering, except for brief periods while eating, drinking, or taking medications, and maintain social distancing while inside the airport. Unfortunately, social distancing once aboard has become difficult to achieve as more and more airlines have dropped their “empty middle seat” practice. International Travel and Vaccine Passports If you've been pining for a European vacation, don't despair. There's good news on the horizon. Several countries are working to develop technology for getting “vaccine passports” in place. These credentials can be used by U.S. citizens and others to provide proof they've been fully immunized against COVID-19. For example, Delta Airlines has been working with Italy on “COVID-tested trial flights” that allow passengers on select flights between Atlanta or New York and Rome to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, and thus skip quarantine upon arrival in Italy. Greece and Spain have also outlined plans for welcoming tourists from around the world, as long as they can provide evidence of vaccination or a negative PCR test. There are challenges to making this happen, as Europe has been struggling with a third wave of infections. Another potential holdup is arriving at a process that all parties can agree upon. Many EU countries are pushing for official vaccine passports that prove a visitor has been fully immunized against COVID-19. This will involve uploading relevant documents, including proof of vaccination, into a mobile app. Because there are several different development initiatives at play, it remains to be seen how soon standardization of protocols can be achieved.Stay With Exploria Resorts One thing you can be certain of is that travel won't look the same as it did pre-pandemic. But no matter when you are ready to travel for your post-covid vacation, Exploria Resorts is OPEN, and ready to welcome you home! Check out these great Vacation Packages options, and begin planning your summer vacation now!
