The year 2020 has been a challenge for everyone. This new strain of coronavirus is hitting the world very hard. This silent killer quietly courses its way around the world, what started to be a health crisis is the reason for an economic crisis. Coronavirus took over completely, we closed all of the borders, canceled flights and stayed at home. The travel industry has been affected severely. But now that everything is trying to go back to normal, or the “new normal” there are some adjustments you need to make in order to travel in the post-coronavirus world.
Legal Considerations
You should first check the travel advice of the country you are traveling from. In the case of Australia, you can check with the federal government on travel restrictions. The United States of America issues visas to foreign nationals traveling to their country to embassies and consulates. However, if you are an Australian citizen or a citizen of any of the 39 countries participating in the Visa Waiver program, you can apply for ESTA. Electronic System for Travel Authorization or ESTA travel program was created by the Department of Homeland Security in the United States to replace the American express visa-system for certain countries. This makes it easier to sort your entry easily via the online application before you make your trip to the US. This is a travel authorization that can give you access to travel to the United States for business or leisure purposes for two years. After arriving you can check the state, local and territorial governments if travel restrictions and protocols are in effect, like mandatory swab testing, stay-at-home orders, and quarantine requirements upon arrival.
Safety Considerations
After checking if the US state has requirements and restrictions for the traveler, you should comply duly in all of it. Make sure that you wear a mask all the time, properly covering your mouth, especially when you’re in public and crowded places. It is smart to avoid close contact by practicing social distancing for people who are not from your household. Wash your hands often or you can use alcohol and hand sanitizer when you are out. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, and avoid contact with anyone who is sick as much as possible.
General Things To Remember
In terms of flights and accommodation, international aviation is operating just 2% to 4% of its normal number of flights. Book a flexible flight that will allow you to easily cancel or change the flight. Check about the return and refund of the ticket. Make sure that your travel documents are complete before the flight and you can monitor the status of the flight on their websites to ensure that the flight is still going ahead. Lastly, allocate enough time for security checks when going to the airport as there are plenty of safety protocols now. Same as the flights, book a flexible hotel that offers a good cancellation policy. It will be best if you choose a hotel with strict and good health and hygiene protocols.
At the end of this, you can still travel comfortably and safely through these times. You just have to ensure that you research first about all of the considerations under the “new normal” traveling. Lastly, bring extra care and take care of yourself while touring.