Covid has taught us all many things, but perhaps patience is at the top of the list! The “wait and see” mentality has become a requirement for our sanity. I know many of you are tired of being stuck in your homes or of feeling like your days are on repeat. Traveling fulfills the need many of us have for variety in life. Having a future vacation creates excitement and anticipation. Personally, I am getting tired of anticipating the next interesting Netflix series. 
My title a few weeks ago was “A New Year Brings New Hope”. There is much hope for 2021, but strap on your patience! Until we have a higher number of people vaccinated to get us closer to herd immunity, we are in store for continued travel bans, restrictions, and ever-changing rules. A big example of new travel rules starts today with CDC’s new requirement that anyone traveling on an international flight to the U.S. must have a negative Covid test within 3 days before boarding their flight home. Click here for what you need to know about this new requirement. There is no word yet regarding how long this rule will be in place, but likely through the spring and/or until the U.S. Covid numbers look better. One thing to note about this rule…if you have had Covid in the last 3 months and can provide proof of the positive test, and a letter from your healthcare provider that you recovered…. you are good to go. Travel must be within 3 months of your infection.
Below is more information on current travel restrictions/rules.
- Info for travelers returning to the U.S.
- Hawaii travel restrictions (Hawaii has been very strict and their rules are a little complicated, so I will be highlighting Hawaii for next week’s Travel Tuesday)
- Covid-19 travel restrictions state by state
- These countries are welcoming U.S. tourists back (but remember the new testing rule to get back to the U.S.)
My hope is that we begin to see a lift in travel restrictions by May. Delta Airlines is predicting a strong finish in the last 3 months of 2021. This makes sense, as my Italy contacts are seeing growing demand for Fall travel. My favorite Tuscan farmhouse is almost fully booked for September. Some are taking a positive and hopeful outlook with a Book Now, Travel Later approach.
Some of you may be wondering if you can take a family summer vacation beyond the beach. International trips for this summer are a big question mark, as it depends on many factors (travel bans being lifted, protocols in place, Covid numbers declining, etc.) Could the hope for summer international travel look different by this spring? Hopefully, but for now more wait and see!! 🙂 One thing I know for sure is that domestic travel (especially out west) will be HUGE again this summer!!
I realize how complicated and fluid Covid has made travel planning, so please feel free to email me any questions at 
planitforu@gmail.com.
Please remember to travel responsibly, wear your mask and do not travel unnecessarily if you are elderly or immune-compromised! And remember to check your destination’s travel restrictions/requirements before and during planning, as well as double-checking before departure!
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