Tom English wrote this sponsored article. He wrote 9 excellent post-pandemic travel trips and I added a tenth as a bonus!
With an increasing number of Americans getting COVID-19 vaccination and reducing infection rates around the country, traveling is becoming safer than in 2020. Traveling is safer for fully vaccinated persons. Although there are still some precautions to take, it's not as strict as last year.
But those who aren't fully vaccinated or are traveling with people who aren't (like children below age 12, who are ineligible for the vaccine) still need to apply strict precautions.
Here are tips to ensure that every member of your traveling party stays healthy without bringing home unwanted souvenirs.
1. Assess the COVID-19 Infection Levels in Your Community and Your Destination
Even if you've taken the vaccine, it's still essential to assess the COVID-19 rate in your community.
A high rate implies that you're at an increased risk of contracting the virus, though the so-called breakthrough infection is typically mild and rare. Vaccination helps protect individuals, but it's not perfect as vaccinated people can develop a breakthrough disease.
It's also important to consider the infection rate in the country you're visiting. If the location you're heading to is a hot COVID-19 zone, your chances of getting infected will rise, regardless of your vaccination. You can check a location's infection rate on its local health department website.
2. Travel to a Destination With Safe Restrictions
Depending on what you hope to achieve on your trip, several countries allow US citizens to visit. One of such destinations is Curaçao, so if you desire all-inclusive resorts in Curaçao, then you're in luck.
Curaçao requires visitors from high-risk countries to test negative to a PCR test taken not more than 48 hours before their flight. They also need some persons to quarantine after taking another COVID test.
3. Taking a Test a Few Days Before Traveling
If are unvaccinated, you might need to take a test a few days before leaving. If you get a negative result, it will minimize the chances of unknowingly taking the virus to your vacation destination.
Several international destinations require a test before visiting, even if you have the vaccine.
For example, Croatia only allows American citizens to visit if they have a negative COVID-19 test result three days before their arrival. You must have a negative test result when returning to the US after traveling internationally.
4. Consider Your/Your Host's Health Situation and Vaccination Status
How risky is it to travel?
View everything from your perspective.
- Are vaccinated and at low risk for severe infection consequences?
- Are the people you're visiting or traveling with vaccinated?
Their immune systems may be compromised, making them vulnerable to the virus regardless of the vaccination.
In that case, passing through a public place or flying on an airplane with other travelers may be risky. Driving to a remote destination might be better.
5. Clean the Hotel Room Without Obsessing
If you're vaccinated, enjoy your vacation as usual. For instance, if you're visiting Curaçao, you may stay in inclusive resorts in Curaçao if you want, rather than keeping yourself in an isolated rental home.
However, you shouldn't abandon some safety habits like disinfecting the hotel room TV remote, doorknobs, light switches, and other high-touch items.
You don't have to clean everything, however. Although the risk of contracting the virus from surfaces is low, basic cleaning can prevent other germs.
If you're sharing the room with a person who's not vaccinated, take additional precautions like opening the windows to improve ventilation. Tiny particles in the air known as aerosols can transmit the virus. Hence, this is essential after your arrival or as soon as housekeeping leaves your room.
6. Choose Your Mode of Transportation
Experts recommend driving as the safest mode of transportation for individuals who are unvaccinated, especially if the journey takes less than a day. It substantially reduces interaction with other individuals.
Flying is also relatively safe as airlines require every passenger to use face masks on board. If you've not taken the vaccine, try as much as possible not to remove your mask, especially when others remove theirs to drink or eat.
If traveling by bus, unvaccinated people need to be extra vigilant as the vent systems may not be as effective as those on airplanes.
You are free to take any form of transportation if you're vaccinated. Even sitting close to an unvaccinated fellow is relatively safe if you're immunized. Although you may still get a coronavirus, the vaccine will minimize the negative effects.
7. Choose Your Activities With Caution
Some experts expect that the US rates of COVID-19 will keep declining as more individuals become protected through vaccination. That's not the case in some countries like India, with low vaccination rates and potentially highly contagious variants of COVID-19 constantly developing.
While visiting resorts in Curaçao, you may need to skip some of the activities you love. Karaoke cafes, bars, theme parks with indoor rides, and other congested indoor activities increase your transmission risk.
Even if your vacation is within the US, experts advise avoiding indoor locations with large crowds of individuals whose vaccination status is unknown. If you're vaccinated, you're at a lower risk of getting complications or severe illness, but there's a slight chance too.
8. It's Likely Okay to Eat in Restaurants
When the pandemic started, experts made it clear that eating in a restaurant wasn't safe, so they advised vacationers to get takeout or dine outside. People who haven't been immunized should still heed this advice.
However, according to the CDC, vaccinated people can feel comfortable dining indoors without masks (if it's allowed by the business and the local government). That will make your vacation more fun and easier.
But you still need to exercise caution, especially if there's a high infection rate at your destination.
9. Stay Vigilant If You Aren't Fully Vaccinated
You're likely to feel like the restrictions on your regular life aren't applicable while on vacation and enjoying your stay in all-inclusive resorts in Curaçao. But without complete vaccination, there's no magical protection against the virus.
If you're at risk, it's essential to follow the general CDC guidelines every time, including avoiding poorly ventilated indoor areas, observing social distance rules, washing hands regularly, and using a mask in public.
10. Francis's bonus tip: Visit an Expensive Destination
Have you dreamed of going to Paris, Tokyo, or Curaçao?
This is the best time to take a vacation because travel is still heavily discounted. You can get spectacular deals.
Although everything is on sale, now is the time to go to pricey resorts or expensive cities.
Many have saved up money during the pandemic because they spent little money on transportation and vacations. Now that you've got some savings, it's time to spend some of it on that pricey place you've been postponing!
Conclusion: You Deserve a Good Time
Many people need a vacation because of the stress of the pandemic year. Visiting Curaçao and having a pleasant stay in resorts in Curaçao is a good idea.
For some, it's been quite a while since they last took a trip. While you're on your vacation, it may take some time to fully relax and feel comfortable touring spots with strangers and moving around without a mask. It's okay.
But if you have gotten the vaccine, feel free to enjoy your trips. After staying home for over a year, it's time (while being careful and intelligent) to start satisfying your wanderlust again.
Thanks to Tom English, who wrote this advertorial.
