Flying in Corona Times
“Due diligence is dizzying, but surprises at immigration is a bitch.”
I’ve traveled a lot. At one point, it was up to one trip per month. Maybe a work conference or a long weekend here, an (American length) vacation there, you get the picture. But air travel for an indefinite amount of time is a whole new ball game - especially if your epic world tour is interrupted by a global pandemic. How does one travel safely and responsibly when COVID is pervasive? Let me explain my experience flying during Coronavirus times.
Quick Background
I am an United States citizen traveling through Europe. I spent several months in the UK, a non-Schengen zone country. When COVID was at its height, the government generously extended my visa not once but twice. Eventually the final expiration date was drawing near and I had to make a plan. Returning to the US was not a consideration… or much of a desire aside from seeing my family. I also did not want to travel terribly far from my current location.
Get it? Got it? Good.
Mask, glasses, passport. Let's go!
Pre-trip
I studied travel regulations like I was preparing for the SATs (standardized testing for US university admissions). Sites like Can I Travel and IATA provided border opening updates and country regulations. I verified this information on the destination countries’ official embassy, immigration, and public health department sites. If I had questions, your girl emailed every address I could find on the website to make sure I was complying with the local laws. Due diligence is dizzying, but surprises at the immigration counter is a bitch.
For my selected country, I was required to fill out two forms. The first form declared my location in a safe-corridor country for 14-days prior to travel. The second form, requested contact details in case of an outbreak. I kept these forms in an “important documents” folder which also included:
Documentation proving of my whereabouts within an approved safe country for over 14 days
Printouts of the travel regulations from the government sites
My passport, of course
The Trip
The airline provided very clear instructions for travel day including arriving at the airport much earlier than normal. As someone who eliminates as much waiting time in airports as possible, I wasn’t thrilled but I complied. Everyone was required to wear a mask so I brought multiple in case of misplacement. I also wore my prescription glasses as added protection.
Other noticeable differences:
Hand sanitizer dispensers were literally everywhere. Please and thank you!
Signs for social distancing on the floor which weren’t strictly followed.
Flight attendants discouraged passengers from disinfecting the seats and tray tables. They said it would interfere with the disinfectant previously applied. I did it anyway. This is my practice in normal times so I damn sure did it on this trip. Okurrr!
Almost every seat on the plane was occupied. Good for the industry but not my preference.
Flight attendants gave frequent reminders to wear masks at all times.
Food and drinks were served but for an additional charge. Obvi, passengers were allowed to remove masks to eat and drink.
Passengers deplaned row by row. I’m a sucker for order so I appreciated this.
Overall, flying during Coronavirus times was a slightly more heightened but controlled experience. Everyone was more cautious and aware, which in turn made them more courteous. I felt a pinch more stress than when I normally fly, specifically when the ticketing agent double checked that US passport holders were allowed to travel to my destination of choice. I knew my stuff so I just waited for her to get up to speed. 😉
Special Note
Traveling was a necessity for me. Not because I wanted to (although I did), but because I did not want to violate visa regulations (i.e. overstay). Out of respect for the residents of my destination, I quarantined and carefully timed departure for a time when the virus stats dipped.
International air travel is a very touchy topic so, if you choose to take the risk, I hope my experience will help you have a safe trip.
Below are additional resources to help you on your way. ✈
Helpful sites
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php
https://whdh.com/news/find-out-which-countries-are-welcoming-us-tourists-back/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html