Is it OK to Travel Now?

Can I? Should I? Is it safe? Is it responsible? Here’s what to consider before planning pandemic travel.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical expert, and therefore cannot and will not advocate for or against the safety of individual travel during this pandemic. This is a personal decision that should be taken seriously. This post is only here to help guide your thoughts in considering travel.

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With the guidance of the CDC, WHO, and my doctors, here are the questions I have been considering as I ask myself, “Is it OK to travel now?”

These questions are helping me to find a new ‘nomad normal.’

I hope they can hep you thoughtfully consider and plan future travel, too!

How will this trip put me at risk?

• Am I fully vaccinated?
• What is the effectiveness rate of my vaccine against different strains of the virus?
• Are less protected variants of COVID-19 prevalent in my destination?
• Do I have any medical conditions that put me at high risk for COVID-19?
• How long will I spend in crowded spaces or close proximity to others on this trip?
• What is the risk level of my transportation? (A high risk example might be a fully booked flight, while a low risk example might be a road trip with people in your household)
• How risky are my activities? (A high risk example might be indoor dining, a low risk example might be swimming in an uncrowded ocean)
• How risky is my accommodation? (Look for contactless check-ins and enhanced cleaning procedures. Consider opting for Airbnbs or smaller establishments rather than large resorts with more contact points with others)
• Does my destination have the healthcare infrastructure and hospital capacity to treat me if I get sick with COVID-19? Or if I have any other health issue on my trip?
• Would I be placing an undue burden on the local healthcare system if I got sick or needed a doctor?
• Do my health and travel insurance policies cover me for covid-19 sickness abroad, and for pandemic travel in general?
• Have I talked with my doctor about taking this trip?
• Have I asked my doctor about preventative health measures? (may include ensuring a full night’s rest, keeping a healthy micronutrient-rich diet, and supplementing with Vitamin C, Vitamin D-3, and zinc)

How will this trip put others at risk?

Doctors don’t yet know enough about how a vaccinated person may spread the virus to non-vaccinated people. Vaccinated people should still wear a mask around non-vaccinated people and in public spaces to protect others.

• How will I put locals in my destination at risk?
• How will I put hospitality and travel industry workers at risk?
• How will I put doctors and healthcare workers at risk?
• Can the locals in my destination afford and access medical care if I spread the virus to them unknowingly?
• What risk do I pose to the people in my household, office, etc. when I return from my trip?
• Will I self-isolate and test after returning to protect those around me?

How will I protect myself and others?

• Am I using CDC-approved masks?
• When in high-risk places like long flights and crowded indoor spaces, am I opting for medical-grade protection like N95 and KN95 masks with face shields?
• Am I maintaining social distancing?
• Am I washing my hands often and carrying hand sanitizer?
• Am I opting for outdoor rather than indoor options when possible?
• Am I monitoring my health and getting regular PCR testing?
• Do I have a back-up plan to self-isolate in case I develop symptoms during pandemic travel?

What are the covid-19 related entry requirements for my destination?

• Do I need to be vaccinated?
• Do I need a negative PCR test? If so, how soon before my arrival? (48 hours and 72 hours are common requirements)
• Do I need to quarantine for 10-14 days upon arrival? How much will that cost?
• Are certain nationalities or passports banned from entering my destination?
• Do I need to fill out any health questionnaires ahead of time?

What are the rules and regulations for covid-19 daily life in this destination?

Follow national and local health department guidelines and government regulations wherever you travel.

• Is this destination in lockdown?
• Are certain types of businesses closed?
• Are there curfews in effect?
• Is public transportation fully operational, limited, or non-operational?
• Are there restrictions on movement or being in public spaces?
• Have I double-checked that the activities I want to and attractions I want to see are open?
• Do I have a back-up plan if the activities I have planned become impossible due to covid-19 restrictions put in place after my arrival?

For a regularly updated list of countries open to American travelers and details about their restrictions, I recommend starting with Travel Off Path and following up with individual government websites. Some other good resources in March have been US News Travel Section and Travel + Leisure.

Here are CDC recommendations (including those for fully vaccinated people) and WHO guidelines.