If you’re planning on traveling during corona, you will have to do more planning than usual. Now, we don’t mean that to dissuade you. Instead, we want to provide a guide to help you navigate the situation.
As we’ve all seen, every place has reacted differently to the pandemic. Countries and states have passed different rules and implemented varying levels of restrictions, and they’re all subject to change at any moment.
For example, Miami started allowing businesses and public spaces, like the beach, to open. But because of an increase in the number of cases, restaurants closed their indoor seating again. Oh, and the beach was closed down for the 4th of July weekend (Thursday to Tuesday). So that’s something you need to be aware of: There might be last minute changes that could mess with your plans
So, here is our little guide to help
Checking where to go
Let’s start with the most obvious. Are you even allowed to enter the places you want to visit? In an attempt to slow down the spread, many countries have banned travelers from other places with a high number of cases. For example, Europe has banned travelers from the US, India, and Mexico until further notice.
So make sure you check official sites before making any bookings. And continue to check for any changes.
Some helpful sites:
To check for real time borders for the European Union
Or travel advisory sites like these:
For the USA:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html
For the EU:
https://ec.europa.eu/consularprotection/content/travel-advice_en
Checking what conditions you have to meet to travel
Now, what if that’s a yes but with conditions? Will you have to do a long quarantine?
New York, for example, is requiring travelers from other states like Florida to do a 14-day quarantine.
In other cases, you might be able to skip the quarantine if you can provide recent negative test results. This is the current case in Puerto Rico. As long as the negative result is from the past 72 hours, you can visit without waiting.
Some places are even requiring a deposit. Cambodia, for example, is asking for a $3,000 deposit to cover any potential health needs you might have if you get Covid-19 while traveling there.
So now more than ever you have to make sure to check the conditions of the destination you are planning on visiting while traveling during corona and continue checking them often.
Ok, so now we know we’re allowed to visit. Then what?
Checking local coronovarius etiquette
As we always like to recommend, it is important to be respectful of local practices. You will have to check for these while traveling during corona because it will vary very much by location, even within the same country.
There are places requiring that you wear a mask at all times. You might also need to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before entering stores.
Another thing to check is for capacity restrictions. In some places you will need to ask the workers if you are allowed to go inside before you enter, or wait outside in line.
You might visit a place that is enforcing social distancing more strictly. It will be very important to make sure you maintain your distance from others.
Something we’d like to recommend is to make all possible reservations online to reduce social contact as much as possible.
There’s also another issue. Some locations have curfews in place. Puerto Rico, for example, has a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am.
Checking accommodations and dining
Where will you be able to stay?
If you find hotels that are open you should reach out to find out what conditions will be like.
A friend recently traveled to Mexico and was informed she would not be able to leave the resort. They would bring meals up to her room and the only public space open for guests was the pool.
What restaurants are open?
Several places have opened up the option of dining, with reduced capacity, of course. For those that haven’t, you will have to check whether they offer delivery or pick-up. Luckily, many places do. Maybe it would be a good idea to find open places around the restaurants, like local parks, where you might be able to go to enjoy your meal.
Checking attractions
What about attractions? Well, pretty much the same applies here. Many places are still closed, and even those that are open will likely have restrictions. They might have reduced capacity or reduced hours. You might also want to check if they may be requiring tickets in order to accommodate their visitors during the restrictions.
Ambar recently visited Jerez de la Frontera in Spain. She was excited a local fortress had reopened. When she arrived, she was turned away. Only a certain amount of visitors are allowed in each day. Visitors have to call a special number to make a reservation days ahead of time.
Now it might be more important than ever to plan the time at which you visit attractions and public spaces. Planning for early mornings is usually better, coordinating to arrive close to opening time. Most people arrive later on in the day so you will be better able to practice social distancing.
A note on backups
Because of everything we’ve been mentioning, especially the potential for last minute changes while traveling during corona, we really want you to think about having backups. If certain attractions close down, or you can’t enter like what happened to Ambar, make sure you have a plan B.
Adaptability while traveling during corona will be key. For example, while on her recent trip to Jerez de la Frontera, Ambar wanted to visit the bodegas, the local winemakers in the region. But she found out they had not opened yet. Her solution was to visit locally owned bars that were open and tried out the local wines there instead.
This is another very good option for trying out delicacies of the region if you find certain places closed. You can find a park and plan a picnic, buying local products from nearby stores to enjoy.
As for the actual trip plans, what about this for a backup plan. Instead of traveling abroad, how about keeping it local? By choosing a roadtrip you will be avoiding all potential contact you would have while on the airport and airplane. Most of the time we are so used to planning trips to other countries we neglect our own backyard.
Many places have opened up their local and national parks, though restrictions may still apply.
This option affords a further option for social distancing– camping. Instead of checking in to a hotel check out camping sites, you are guaranteed to be isolated enough!
There are so many new rules for traveling during corona that require us to travel with extra things like masks and hand sanitizer. So let’s begin with your masks. There are so many options for reusable masks, so let’s stop buying those awful disposable ones. Seriously!
I even know a person that will have you matching with your doggo’s bandana.
And how about gloves? Well, it turns out they’re not necessary unless you’re taking care of a sick person. If you use them incorrectly, there is even the risk of cross-contamination. So instead, do away with the gloves and wash your hands.
Again, this is such a simple thing to fix. We are creating so much waste with disposable gloves and masks. There are tons of reports of divers finding these already out in the oceans!
When you’re out and about, the best preventative measure is to clean your hands well and often. Consider getting your own sustainable soap bar. This way you can take it on the plane with you. But also, you can select one that won’t dry your hands as much. And well, you’ll be using less plastic. And can choose your own delightful smell, rather than those awful generic liquid soaps in public restrooms.
As for hand sanitizer, it is always better if you buy in bulk and then refill smaller bottles to take around with you. That ensures you are buying less plastic.
Another way to be more sustainable if you’re flying? Take your own food/snacks. Because of safety concerns, airlines are giving out snacks and plastic water bottles in, you guessed it, more plastic. Also consider taking your own water bottle to refill at water fountains inside the airport, where possible.
So moral of the story is there is no winging it right now if you’re thinking of traveling during corona. Whether you are planning on keeping it local or traveling far, you will have to do your research prior to any trip– even more so than usual!
Thank goodness for new flight cancelation policies huh?
**Note on checking these before buying your flight: you might have to choose between partial refund or a full priced voucher.
Great post! Very useful! Thanks a lot, Ambar y Maite. God bless you. Kisses.
Thanks so much, we are very glad you found it helpful. Hopefully we’re all able to travel again soon and safely ❤️