How to Travel Safely During Pandemic
Where Can I Go Internationally?
Check the country list. Entry rules are all over the place, and they change constantly. They differ so much from country to country, region to region, and state to state that it’s impossible to give specific advice that applies to much of the world. Depending on the country:
- You might only be eligible if you’ve had a certain vaccine approved by the country you’re traveling to. Most countries recognize the three vaccines available in the US: Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen.
- You might need to quarantine in a hotel at your own expense before you’re allowed to travel freely in the country.
- You might need to take a Covid-19 diagnostic test and receive a negative result before you’re allowed to travel around the country. It could be required immediately upon arrival, within a short time frame after arrival, or within a short time frame before you get on the plane and depart your home country (or a test before you leave and when you land).
- You might not be allowed to enter if you’ve been to certain other countries recently.
There are so many variables. The European Union has suggested guidelines on traveler entry for its 27 member states, but they’re not mandatory, and some countries have set their own policies. Many countries around the world also have curfews and limits on social gatherings. We recommend frequently checking the official travel website for the country you’re planning on flying to for up-to-date information.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a map that breaks down which countries are at higher risk than others.
Am I Safe on the Plane?
Ah, the old flyin’ bus. You can reduce your risk of infection by making sure it’s been more than two weeks since your final vaccination and by wearing a face mask in the airport and on the airplane whenever possible (as in, not eating). It’s currently US federal law to wear a mask at all times in airports and on board an airliner. We have face mask recommendations here.
Some commercial airplanes have powerful air filtration systems that scrub and exchange all the air in the cabin two or three times per minute. That’s far more often than in a typical commercial building or your home. All major US airlines are now booking middle seats—they had been cordoning them off during the thick of the pandemic to create space between passengers, but no longer. For more information about what to expect when flying, visit your airline’s Covid-19 portal:
If you’re driving instead, read WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano’s guide on road-tripping safely during a pandemic. Amtrak is another option if driving would take too long and you want to avoid flying. It has been upgrading its trains for Covid-19 precautions.
Will I Have to Quarantine?
If you’re unvaccinated, almost certainly. And that’s if they let you in at all. With a negative Covid-19 test, you might be released after a few days. But maybe not. It’s common for countries to require 10 or 14 days in a particular hotel, with you being unable to leave of your own accord. Check the rules of the country you’re planning to visit. Some US island states, territories, and possessions will also quarantine you in certain circumstances. And remember, you’re probably going to have to pay out of pocket for it. Bills often run into quadruple figures in US dollars.So, Uh, Vaccine Passports? Tell Me About Those.
Right now, the paper vaccination card you got when you received your vaccine shot(s) is your most important document. For now, at least, it’s the default document you should keep with you when traveling to show customs you’ve been vaccinated.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/2UusVC6
