As more of us get vaccinated in the US, we are hoping we can reach some level of herd immunity by the summer. Recognizing it may take much longer many of us are tired of being cooped up and are planning to travel, anyway. As more vacation destinations are opening and restrictions are being lifted there is a growing desire to book that flight soon. Here are some facts and tips to consider as we both make travel plans for 2021.

Facts:

 1. Airlines are no longer leaving the middle seat open. Delta was the last holdout removing that restriction. The TSA requires that all passengers are at least tested before boarding a plane and still require vaccinated travelers to wear a mask and observe social distancing to protect others and themselves. It’s not clear that the vaccine is immune to all coronavirus variants.

2. It is expected that as travel picks up that many places will require you to be vaccinated or take a PCR test that is negative. Some cruises and airlines plan to make vaccination a requirement especially for international flights (Royal Caribbean Cruise and Delta are leading the way).

3. In fact, down the road, governments may require travelers to present digital health certificates or vaccine passports proving their vaccination status upon arrival. It is not clear whether the US will federally mandate them but companies most likely will.

Tips:

1. TSA is currently allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags until further notice. Since these containers exceed the standard 3.4-ounce allowance typically permitted through a checkpoint, they will need to be screened separately and may add time to your checkpoint screening. Keep in mind that all other liquids, gels, and aerosols brought to a checkpoint continue to be limited to 3.4 ounces carried in a one quart-size bag.

2. Travelers are permitted to bring individually packaged alcohol or anti-bacterial wipes in carry-on or checked luggage. Use them extensively when getting up, during the bathroom breaks and to wipe down your seat and table.

3. TSA will accept expired driver’s licenses or a state-issued ID a year after expiration or 60 days after the duration of the emergency whichever is longer. To travel domestically without a passport you must get a state REAL ID-compliant driver’s license by the deadline of October 1, 2021 (this includes Puerto Rico and other US territories).

4. Check your passport to make sure it does not expire in the next six months. If it does, you cannot travel internationally until it is updated.

5. For any international travel, check with the State Department since decisions are changing on a case-by-case and day-by-day basis.

6. Best tip: Find the latest travel and health restrictions for your trip by connecting to sherpa.com/travel-restrictions. Use their interactive map to discover COVID-19 test requirements, quarantine protocols, and entry restrictions for anywhere in the world.

I plan to travel only domestically this year and will wait out the year hoping that in 2022, I can travel internationally with less worries.

Safe Travels Everyone