What You Need to Know About 2020 Holiday Travel

Please pay attention to this post on What You Need to Know About 2020 Holiday Travel. My goal is to keep you healthy and informed as to what you need to know about this 2020 Holiday Travel Season.

Are you planning on flying home or somewhere else this holiday season? Are you wondering when is the best time to buy tickets? Are you concerned if it is safe to fly right now? It may be safe for Santa to fly, but what about you? Do you know where you can and cannot travel to due to the coronavirus? Here is your primer for 2020 Holiday Travel:

THANKSGIVING

First, it is NOT recommended that you go home or anywhere else for Thanksgiving. If you must go see Uncle Mel or Nana, you should quarantine for 1-2 weeks beforehand. Of course, if you are traveling by plane or train, the quarantine is undone as soon as you step into the airport or station. Travel by car, avoid crowds, and upon arrival at your destination, try to gather outdoors or at least social distance and wear a mask as much as possible. Do not hug Uncle Mel or Nana and avoid communal eating where the virus can be passed around with the green bean casserole.

CHRISTMAS (or whatever you celebrate)

So you are not going home for Thanksgiving but this may be your last Christmas with Uncle Mel or Nana so you must go home for it. The good news is that air travel is down seventy percent over this time last year. So the planes won’t be as full, which is good news because this means less risk of contracting the virus. Also, airplanes have excellent ventilation systems and so risk is actually very low of airborne contamination, unless, of course, you are seated next to someone with the virus. But even then, if you are both wearing masks and not conversing, singing, or laughing, then your risk is still low.

FINDING THE BEST FARES

Check out Google Flights to find a calendar that shows the lowest fare days. Also, all tickets are currently flexible, which means that airlines are waiving change fees on all new bookings in 2020. This includes basic economy fares too! So you can book your ticket now and if in a few weeks you change your mind or lockdown restrictions are imposed, you will not lose any money.

FYI: If you find a lower priced fare after buying your ticket, you can change your ticket EVEN IF IT IS ON ANOTHER AIRLINE.

TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE

This is the same advice I always give travelers that I heed myself. Avoid crowds. If you must be in a wait line, make sure the people behind you respect your personal space but there should be social distancing markers in place. Also, do not touch common surfaces, such as baggage carts, elevator buttons, public pens, door handles, etc. Use a tissue or wear gloves. If you must touch something, use hand sanitizer before touching your face. Wear your mask. Health experts agree that not only does it protect others if you unknowingly have the virus it ALSO PROTECTS YOU, if you are wearing a 3-ply medical mask (does not have to be a N95 mask or face shield).

FYI: All airlines are requiring face masks at this time. You will not be allowed to board if you are not wearing one and you will be thrown off the plane if you remove it once on board. Yes, planes have turned around in flight and returned to their departure gate many times during this pandemic for this very reason. A face shield is not an acceptable substitute for a face mask. Please see the latest information on your airline’s website before you leave for the airport.

Everything You Need to Know About 2020 Holiday Travel…

WHERE CAN I GO RIGHT NOW?

Well, that is the big question. Even if you feel safe to travel and are ready to take a holiday vacation, where are you allowed to travel?

Africa

Can you say safari?! South Africa just reopened for all travelers. A negative PCR Covid-19 test, conducted within 72 hours of departure, is required. Check out this brand new luxury camp at Kruger!

Kenya is open if you test negative for a PCR COVID 19 test within 96 hours of departure and you show no symptoms, such as a fever or cough. The same is true for most African countries and islands with a 48 -120 hour test window for Madagascar, Maldives, Namibia, Uganda, Seychelles, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.

FYI: There are many kinds of safaris, such as wellness safaris, family safaris, solo safaris, romantic safaris, and transformative safaris.

Asia

Some of the toughest restrictions are throughout Asia. For example, Malaysia’s Melaka International Airport is closed through December. Click here to see a complete list for Asia.

Europe

Much of Europe has soaring virus counts like the U.S. The UK just went into a mandatory lockdown with all travel suspended for the next few weeks except for essential business travel. At the time of this post, 52 countries were completely closed, 95 were partially open, 68 had no restrictions, and 5 were opening soon. Click here for a country-by-country guide to travel restrictions.

Caribbean

Most islands require a negative test result and a few also require a quarantine, as well. Some islands are not open to Americans. Click here to see a complete list of islands and their travel protocols.

U.S.A.

This will be the choice of most Americans for the rest of 2020. According to polls and surveys, most Americans will travel 300 miles on average to a park, beach, mountains, historic site, or to visit family. That said, there are still restrictions on U.S. travel, especially for those traveling from a high outbreak state. Click here for a state-by-state guide to travel restrictions.

FYI: It is advisable to check for the latest travel restrictions before you finalize your plans as things change DAILY with this pandemic.

COMING SOON: New Year’s Eve Celebrations

MOST RECENT POST: Fun Things To Do This Halloween

FIRST 2021 POST: New Vaccine, New Travels Author’s Note: I am so excited that we may soon have a vaccine and be able to plan new adventures and return to normalcy sometime in 2021. It is a good time to snag travel deals while they last.

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