I have said this once, I will continue to say this: COVID SUCKS. Wearing a mask is fine. It's not great but I would prefer to use my best feature (a smile). COVID testing makes me cry. Stopping my life because I'm afraid to do anything in fear of getting COVID is obnoxious. Of course, COVID has ruined holidays, celebrations, friendships, and has destroyed families over deaths. Healthcare workers and other first responders are burnt out with the amount of deaths they have to deal with and they can't even be consolidated because of social distancing. What better time to force employees to work even longer hours because their excuse of “plans" is voided by curfews and restaurants closing then an ongoing pandemic?
No, you see, over the last 2 years, I have worked my butt off over time, assisting anyway I can, then going home alone to sleepless nights before stepping foot in the office to do it over again. No, I'm not going to continue to work and disregard my life when I only committed to dedicating 40 hours of my week to a company. I deserve a vacation and I'm going to do it.
So you buy a plane ticket to a place you've always dreamed of going. What now? How can you get into these countries? What do you need to do? How do you navigate the many different policies and laws that are created and changed every day? As someone who has been there - I got you.
OUT OF COUNTRY TRAVEL:
APP:
The first thing you will want if you are leaving the country, downloading the airlines app is going to be the best thing for you. I don't like downloading apps but it was a NEED to travel and ensure flights. You can just delete it after you come back from your trip. It'll be fine. The app houses all the direct links you need to go too to see travel restrictions in the country you are going and how to come back. It also allows you to download all requirements so you don't have to stand in line and do that at customs.
COVID TEST:
Most of the time, the country you are going to is going to require you to get a COVID test. Just get one to be safe. You don't have to worry about if you need one or when you need one if you just take one. Then you will have it in case policies and laws change. PCR are typically required within 48 hours of flight and Rapids are 24 hours. If you are really stressed out about it, just look at the countries COVID page. But honestly, better safe than sorry, right?
CONSENT:
A lot of countries will need you to fill out and sign a health consent form stating that you are COVID negative or you have recovered from COVID in 14 days. Signing this consent will help you get into each country that you are visiting. If the country you are going to requires this form, this will be a required form (along with your passport and COVID test) that you need to bring along with you (or download it on the airline app).
If you are not tech savvy or just don't want to use the app, make sure you PRINT all of these forms you need. You will need to show them to the individuals at the gate to make sure you are “travel ready”.
IN COUNTRY TRAVEL:
If you live in the USA, this section is for you.
I got really cheap tickets on a cheap airline during the holiday season. I was flying from Denver to Dallas to see my family in Texas. I figured that every other seat would be empty for COVID restrictions. This was the first time flying in a few years and the first time I flew since the pandemic. I was fixing to go on a flight to Europe so all of my flight knowledge for restrictions were limited to international flights. I haven't traveled all that much since the pandemic started but that's what I assumed. When I got into the plane, it felt (an looked) like it was contaminated for months without a wipe. Not only that but every single seat was booked and filled. I was honestly terrified to go home to see my family knowing that I was around this many people.
As of right now, as i'm writing this, there are no COVID restrictions for flying in the continental states. You can fly anywhere to any state without having to prove COVID testing. If you are still nervous about traveling within the states, here are some helpful tips:
Bring wipes: Make sure you wipe everything down. I don't trust airlines that only fly for a few hours that they clean the seats thoroughly.
Wear 2 masks: If the situation is that dire or if you are that scared. I used to be against wearing 2 masks because you will look silly but I now firmly believe that if you are that scared, by all means.
Be mindful of when you are eating/drinking: If you are traveling and there are no COVID restrictions and every single seat on that airplane is full, I would be nervous. So get a sprite but hang on to it if you can until the people around you are finished drinking and put their mask back on.
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