It’s Not Too Early to Plan Your Next Vacation
Less than 10% of Americans received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, but this fact did not stop many from celebrating their post-pandemic life (especially the governors of Texas and Mississippi , but this is a separate issue). After a year of isolation, we all seem to feel locked up: According to a survey conducted by The Points Guys with YouGov, 49% of Americans are looking forward to a vaccine just so they can resume safe travel. The excitement is justified. Planning your trip isn’t just about leaving – “waiting for your vacation” is an important form of taking care of yourself . Vacation anticipation can help us fight negative thoughts about the present with positive thoughts about the future. Since the vaccine increases the likelihood of safer travel sooner, it is not too early to start planning your next trip – provided you do it right. Here are a few important points to keep in mind when making reassuring vacation plans for 2021.
Be aware of travel restrictions
The entire United States is currently at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Because of this, only select countries accept American tourists – CNN has compiled a list . When you start planning your travels after vaccinations, use this list as a starting point. Please note that even if a given country accepts visitors from the United States, travel restrictions are different for each destination. Some restrictions are stricter than others. For example, Barbados previously opened its doors to Americans looking to work from home in tropical regions. Its travel regulations require US visitors to stay at a government-approved hotel or resort and wear an “electronic tracking bracelet.” The Barbados government also requires extensive testing, which may prevent you from leaving the hotel altogether. You need to be sure you can enjoy your trip, and quarantine in a public hotel is probably not the vacation you’re hoping for.
You will also want to choose a location that does not require a negative test result when you are ready to re-enter the United States, as testing opportunities in other countries may be unpredictable and CDC quarantine rules remain in effect whether re-vaccinated or not . For example, if you are returning from the US Virgin Islands , it is recommended that you get a negative test result before traveling home, but this is not a federal requirement.
Get ready to travel with COVID
While the CDC still recommends postponing travel until it is safer, they offer helpful travel tips during a pandemic. “Bring additional supplies such as masks and hand sanitizer,” the CDC suggests. It is recommended that you create your own travel kit that includes disposable latex gloves, additional masks, hand sanitizer, wipes, and disinfectant spray. You can also include items such as a face mask, hand soap, and other disinfectants. If you are flying, do not bring aerosol cans with you and make sure your belongings meet the carry-on requirements so that they can be easily retrieved during the trip.
The CDC also recommends getting a full vaccination before leaving, that is, waiting two weeks after the second dose of the two-dose vaccine . As the country goes through the vaccination stages , there will be opportunities for more people to get the vaccine, so plan your trip later in the year – late summer or early fall – to increase the likelihood that everyone in your traveling group will be vaccinated. by departure date.
Also, schedule testing within 72 hours of your flight. To avoid complications at the last minute, schedule this up to an hour – if your flight leaves at 3:00 pm, make sure the test is scheduled up to 72 hours in advance.
Know the cancellation policy
Some companies still have special cancellation policies to deal with the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. Forbes recently released a ” Master List ” of Flight Change and Cancellation Rules, which states:
Please be aware that if your flight departing from, arriving, or transiting through the United States is canceled by an airline, according to the US Department of Transportation , you will be eligible for a full stop cash refund. This policy also applies to flights that are subject to major changes, such as adding a connection or changing the schedule by more than two hours.
A more generous cancellation policy may ease your worries about last-minute changes, but the surcharge for fully refundable options on your flights and stays won’t hurt either.
Most importantly, have a contingency plan. Despite the dangers, my family and I planned a trip to the Caribbean last summer. When the travel restrictions changed, we had to cancel the trip at the last minute, but we were able to change gear and ended up booking a ride to Martha’s Vineyard. We planned ahead, knew the flight refund policy and chose Airbnb with a soft cancellation policy. Our careful planning provided us with the opportunity to spend some time away, despite the turmoil at the last minute.
So, if you need to leave, choose another vacation spot, closer to home, as a backup. If you do need to cancel, you still have a vacation to wait for.