As with many aspects of life that have been complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, international travel has undergone several changes in recent months. As countries slowly reopen, you may be wondering when international travel will resume. Here are six factors to consider when traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Border Restrictions
In several parts of the world, countries and entire continents are in lockdown status, meaning that leisure travelers are not allowed across their borders, including flights and vehicle traffic. You should monitor the status of the country that you are considering for international flight to ensure that there are no border restrictions at the time of your travel.
Restrictions for Specific Countries
Some countries are allowing non-essential travel only from specific locations, such as the United States. These restrictions are ever-evolving as the COVID-19 situation either improves in areas, or cases and deaths start to rise. If you do plan to travel to countries that have recently opened up for international travelers, be prepared to find yourself in a quarantine situation should COVID-19 cases rise while you are in-country.
Public Health Travel Advisories
The United States Center for Disease Control and Department of State issue COVID-19 travel advisories. Most other countries around the world have similar governmental agencies that serve this function. Review the recommendations from both your departing country and the country to which you are traveling. Monitor these advisories as you travel to stay up-to-date on the status of COVID-19.
Health Screenings for Travelers
If you are traveling from the United States to an international destination, expect to undergo a health screening once you arrive at your destination, as well as a possible 14-day quarantine. Potentially you could spend your entire holiday in quarantine, so plan accordingly.
Defined Travel Corridors
The economic impact of COVID-19 is worldwide, and many countries are finding ways to safely boost the local economies to the extent possible. One practice that has been introduced is that of “travel corridors.” This is an agreement between neighboring countries that allow non-essential travel between their borders.
Self-Quarantine Requirements
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 14-day self-quarantine has become standard practice for anyone who has shown symptoms or traveled to high-risk areas. The requirement evolves with the pandemic. Self-quarantine may be required for all travelers or only for those who show symptoms or come from regions with high risk for the virus. Know before you go, and bring along any items that you may need for your self-quarantine.
Author Bio: Shalu Chawla is a trained Quality Assurance professional and Business Analyst who writes her experiences with the sole purpose of sharing information from her knowledge or by referring to other good sites. You can know more about her by clicking on www.shaluchawla.com or www.shalu-chawla.com. You can also visit me in my other website on wellness by clicking on https://shalu-chawla.org/ if interested in meditation or https://shalu-chawla.net/ if interested in travel topics.