As you read the title you may be thinking “what travel?” Indeed. Most of us have been grounded since March. With the recent spikes, we are even more cautious than before. US travel under COVID conditions in 2020 is complicated. This content is intended to guide your travel plans but is not all-inclusive. Deciding whether to travel during the pandemic is a complex process. We must take into account safety, personal risk, case count where you are headed, and case count where you were, among other things.
savour…a change of scenery
DOMESTIC TRAVEL
US Flight Travel Info:
- American Airlines – all customers must wear a face covering from the time they enter their departure airport and not remove it until they exit their arrival airport.
- Southwest Airlines – customers are required to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth at all times during their Southwest travel experience. It is highly encouraged to bring your own hand sanitizer and face covering. If you forget your face covering one will be available for you.
- Delta Airlines – all customers and employees are required to wear a face mask or appropriate cloth face covering over their nose and mouth throughout their travel, aligning with the best practice guidelines from the CDC. Plastic face shields may be used in addition to a mask but are not approved mask replacements.
- United Airlines – customers are required to wear a face covering in the more than 360 airports where the airline operates around the world. This includes United customer service counters and kiosks, United Club locations, United’s gates, and baggage claim areas. If customers refuse to comply, they may be refused travel and banned from flying United at least while the mask requirement is in place. This policy is effective for all customers traveling on and after July 24 regardless of when their ticket was purchased. The only exclusion is children under the age of two.
- Check your departure and arrival airport for any additional requirements and/or particulars.
As a reminder, planes are “cleaned” in approximately 10 minutes from first-class to that last seat in the back. Under these COVID conditions, it is recommended that you wipe down your own seat, armrests, tray table, and any other surfaces that you may contact during the course of the flight. After you complete the wipe down, discard the wipe either in a disposable bag you have brought along or in the seat pocket, then sanitize your hands. Be sure to check out our 9 Travel Essentials.
State by State Guidelines:
Condé Nast Traveler has a solid article on state guidelines. However, we recommend that you check your destination because things are developing and changing rapidly. We have linked all the state sites here. Click any state for travel restrictions within the state and current COVID information.
Maybe a road trip with your family to cure cabin fever?
Before hitting the open road to travel the US, map your route and ensure there are gas stations, relief centers, and takeout available along the way. You may have to be more strategic about the number of hours you drive and where you stop. This will depend on the availability of services in the area. We recommend packing ample snacks, small meals, beverages, and water because 1) road trip! (you know you have your favorites and no road trip is complete without them!) and 2) necessity. Some of our favorite travel snacks are:
- Roasted Chickpeas
- Firecrackers
- Trail Mix
- Trail Mix Smooshbars
- Power Popcorn
- Chocolate Caramel Pretzels with Espresso Beans
- Banana Hazelnut Mini Loaves
- Spicy Cashew Brittle
- Lemon Shortbread OR ChewySoft Chocolate Fudge Cookies
NOTE: these would be excellent for air travel as well.
As Edna Mode says, “Luck favors the prepared!”
Whether you are staying in a hotel or an Airbnb, check the cleaning frequency and the reporting procedure for anything not meeting requirements/standards. Cleanliness matters now more than ever. For hotels/resorts, be sure to check capacity requirements for the area, then check capacity at the facility. Finally, don’t forget to have fun! Spending time with your family making memories, all while donning a mask, will make your 2020 vacation as one to remember!
