Is it safe to vacation during the Covid-19 pandemic? Is it safe to do international travel? I am doubtful. It is a high risk to travel internationally during the latter months of 2020. This period is the worse for the Corona virus in the US. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed not only international travel, but the entire travel industry. Interestingly, the pandemic was trending in the right direction a few months ago. The number of cases were on the decrease. I was looking forward to creating vacation packages for my clients. Recently, everything has changed. The spread of the virus is presently spiraling out of control. Instead of the epidemic receding, it is on the increase. Some of the major cities in the US are having a significant increase in Covid-19 cases.
Vacation during Covid-19 has suffered severely in the US. The Covid-19 has devasted the travel industry. There are several reasons for the adverse effect on travel. International destinations are closed. As a result, international travel has come to a halt. In fact, people do not wish to go on vacation.
International destinations are slowly reopening. As a result, people will resume their vacation planning. People will do international travel depending on their level of confidence in their safety. Also, people will vacation during the covid-19 if they are willing to take risk. Persons going on vacation during the covid-19 should consider the danger of exposure at the destinations, hotels, and airlines.
Vacation during Covid-19
US travelers are doing domestic vacations that are close to home. I do not blame them. International travel involves a lot of advance planning. There are several things to consider when booking an international destination. Therefore, vacationers should work with travel advisors. We have up to date information on all destinations as they reopen. Travel advisors have information that is relevant to welcoming tourist. In addition, vacation during the covid-19 in some destinations require a 14-day quarantine. Also, several destinations are closed to international tourist. Most importantly, the major destination of Europe is closed to US tourist. This is due to the increase of the pandemic in the US. Although Europe entry policy is reviewed every two weeks. Unfortunately, the situation will not change soon. The situation in the US with COVID-19 is not good.
Several islands in the Caribbean has reopened. As a result, international travel is encouraged. There are different policies applicable to each island. You should consult a Travel Advisor for more information on each island. Some Caribbean destinations may require a quarantine on arrival. The destinations are promising that it is safe to travel. But is it safe to vacation during the Covid-19 in those destination? Are they doing everything to ensure travelers are protected from the pandemic?
Airlines
The airline industry was adversely affected by the corona virus. International travel came to a trickle of passengers. People are slowly returning to flying. The airlines did the correct thing by keeping the middle row on an aircraft empty. This is an attempt to keep social distancing. That gave travelers some confidence in flying. That did not last long. Some airlines complained that it was not cost effective to fly with the middle row empty. Presently AA has reversed their policy. They are now filling the middle row. Although travelers wear mask, the proximity of passengers is a concern.
Vacation during the COVID-19 at hotels
Most vacation package has a hotel component. As a result, accommodation is an integral part of international travel. The Covid-19 pandemic caused several hotels to close. The hotels are reassuring the traveling public. Their premises are clean by sterilizing with disinfectant for the virus. The hotel industry is encouraging persons to vacation ounce more. It is accepted that the bed linen and towels are changed after each occupant is checked out. In addition, the room must be cleaned and disinfected to encourage travel during covid-19. That is the basic trust of every traveler.
“Recently, Inside Edition did an investigation on hotels. They confirmed that hotel rooms are not being cleaned after each occupant during the pandemic. Different individuals checked into several hotels in New York. They sprayed the Inside Edition logo with invisible ink on sheets and pillows. The logos are only visible under an ultraviolet light. A different person from the investigation team checked into the same room the following day. To their dismay, the markings were visible under a blue light. In some cases, the bed sheets and pillowcases were not changed. Also, the tv control, desk, and air condition controls were not cleaned.
That should scare any traveler planning to vacation during the covid-19. Hotels should clean all rooms properly during the Covid-19 epidemic? It is not wrong to wonder if that is a pattern of those hotels. The question is – do the hotels do the same during normal times? Is it safe to vacation at hotels?
In summary, the present trend has severely affected the travel industry. Are we adventurous to do international travel? Are we feeling safe to vacation during the Covid-19 pandemic?