Current: Traveling During the COVID-19 Pandemic

When COVID-19 hit, everything changed. Travel was no exception. Here's what you need to know.

The COVID-19 Pandemic took the world by storm, affecting people all around the globe. As a result, many countries closed their borders and commercial travel slowed dramatically, with practically no flights.

Now, as we are emerging from the pandemic, travel has started again, but it is important to recognize that travel is not the same as it was (cue Harry Styles). Many countries that have reopened for travel now have many new travel requirements that did not exist prior to the pandemic. When planning a trip, it’s important to know the regulations for international and domestic flights, as well as the local regulations for your destination.

Before you start planning a trip, make sure to check your home and destination country embassies, as well as the news, for any possible travel warnings, advice, or bans for your destination. Some countries have different stages for their re-opening process and others might be open, but not safe to travel to based on how prevalent COVID-19 is there.

Once you have decided on your destination country, make sure to check its regulations for entering, travel within, different airline regulations, as well as the rules regarding leaving your destination country and the requirements to re-enter your home country. Many countries and airlines currently require wearing a mask and a negative COVID-19 test. Make sure that you are aware of the type of COVID test that you need (PCR, RAT, etc.) as well as the time frame in which it is needed. Some countries also require visitors to quarantine on arrival, others require COVID-19 testing on certain days of your visit, and still others have very little to no regulations regarding testing and quarantine. Air Canada provides a great way to find out travel requirements on their website! Check it out here.

Even prior to COVID-19, some countries required a lot of paperwork to be filled out prior to travel and COVID-19 has only furthered the need for these applications. Make sure that you have filled out all necessary forms beforehand, such as possible visa applications, which can take a few minutes to a few days to process, and passenger locator forms.

If there’s one thing that I would highlight it would be to plan ahead of time!

Check the regulations and prices for different activities - as well as transportation - beforehand, so you don’t get any unexpected surprises. Some of the things I would check would be renting a car, rules for gatherings, mask regulations, prices and hours for things I would want to experience, self-isolation, testing on arrival, and more. Don’t leave things to chance!

On your day (or night) of travel, make sure to arrive at the airport with more than ample time to go through check-in, security, and getting to your terminal and gate on time. It’s better to be there too early, than too late. Things will take longer because everyone’s paperwork need to be approved, as well as other factors. Make sure to give yourself ample time, respect the protocol of the airport, and be understanding of those working at the airport.

Overall, make sure that you’re well prepared for your trip and don’t leave things to the last second. Safe travels, Across the Waves!