Americans embraced the opportunity to travel this summer and are already planning trips for 2022 and beyond. Recent AAA Travel bookings increased 11% over 2019 levels, and as summer comes to an end, Labor Day travel volume remains high. AAA Northeast’s five most popular destinations over the Labor Day weekend include:
- Orlando, Florida
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Rome, Italy
- Las Vegas, Nevada
As many look forward to getting away this Labor Day weekend, a resurgence of COVID-19 cases attributed to the delta variant has some travelers wondering if they should take that last summer trip. For example, Hawaii’s Governor, David Ige, is discouraging leisure travel to the state until the end of October. The U.S. has extended the ban on non-essential travel from Canada and Mexico until September 21st.
AAA reminds travelers it’s important to remain informed and flexible as policies and guidelines continue to rapidly evolve. Here is what you need to know before your trip:
Mask Policies
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Federal Transit Administration (FAA) extended mask policies through January of 2022 requiring mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in transportation hubs such as airports and stations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance on mask-wearing, advising people in areas with high COVID-19 transmission to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, some states and cities have updated their mask and other travel requirements.
“Even if you aren’t planning to use public transit, masks should be at the top of your packing list, since guidelines and requirements will vary from place to place,” said Mary Maguire, Director of Public and Government Affairs at AAA Northeast.
Is it Safe to Travel in Light of the COVID-19 Delta Variant?
AAA Travel experts are continually providing information and tips for traveling safely, to help people make the decision that is right for them. Some destinations and travel providers may require proof of vaccination before traveling. Travel insurance options vary greatly but could potentially cover expenses related to the need to cancel or postpone your trip, flight delays or cancelations, and any extra hotel or transportation expenses incurred. While travel insurance policies have historically not covered epidemics or pandemics, some providers have started to introduce plans that cover some losses due to COVID-19 or other epidemic diseases, due to shifting consumer expectations.
Road trips can offer more flexibility than some other modes of travel, but it’s still important to plan ahead for travel by car. To understand state and local restrictions related to COVID-19, check out AAA’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map and TripTik.AAA.com.
For those traveling by air, the CDC advises that most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, in addition to universal use of masks throughout the air travel experience. AAA recommends travelers consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck, to help expedite your time through potentially crowded airports this summer.
Travelers who have been fully vaccinated are not required to have a COVID test prior to traveling domestically nor will they need to quarantine upon return. The CDC guidance advises that fully vaccinated people can travel domestically with little risk.
Those who are fully vaccinated and traveling internationally should check the testing protocols before departure, as proof of a negative PCR or (rapid) antigen test may be required by the destination and travel providers. Those who travel internationally should have a COVID test 3-5 days upon return regardless of vaccination status. Quarantine is recommended for 7 days upon return from international travel, or for 10 days in the absence of negative COVID test results.
For those who are not vaccinated, a viral test is recommended 1-3 days prior to domestic travel antigen (rapid) or viral PCR and repeat the viral test 3-5 days after arriving home. Additionally, the CDC recommends a 7-day self-quarantine upon arriving home unless they choose to have a viral test. The CDC recommends that those who are not fully unvaccinated (including children) do not travel internationally.
Traveling with Children
Families with children who are not yet eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine face additional questions about whether to travel, especially as many anticipate the start of the school year in the coming weeks. The CDC recommends following recommendations for unvaccinated people and choosing safer travel options, such as a road trip with few stops or a direct flight, and taking steps to avoid crowds and close contact with unvaccinated people who are not from your household. If you do fly, everyone over the age of 2 will be required to wear masks on the plane and in airports.
“Whether and how to travel is a very personal decision. By and large, people who were planning to travel are still taking their trips, while being mindful to take precautions to protect themselves and others,” said Maguire. Ultimately, the decision to travel must be made by each individual and family. AAA Travel advisors are available to help members with the information they need to plan a trip, when they’re ready to do so. For more information, visit AAA.com/Travel.