I’m curious about results of anyone who recently had Covid (but well after the 14 day quarantine). Earlier this year, they said tests could still show positive for months afterward.
My friend is an essential worker and she tested positive during a routine weekly covid test required for her work. She became mildly symptomatic with mild flu-like symptoms. After her 14 day quarantine she had 2 consecutive day (swab and PCR)negative tests before being allowed back to work.
So as I understand it, your friend was vaccinated previously and then got Covid and had mild symptoms and you feel that would be reason to avoid traveling to a place without a mask requirement?
I will happily take that risk if I am able.
1 Like
I think the risk referred to is getting a (false) positive pre-flight test and being denied boarding on the way back to the US. Then it would be up to the traveler to find a place to quarantine and reschedule flights. Could be $$$$.
3 Likes
It may not be up to the traveler to find the place to quarantine but they could be sent to a particular hotel to quarantine and have to pay the price.
There was a recent story about a couple who went to the Seychelles and the woman tested positive going into the country (some countries are still requiring tests to get in). Even though it was a false positive, they had to quarantine in a designated hotel for 10 days at $250/day, plus food.
I think travelers also have to pay for the tests, which can be expensive.
Covid-19 travel insurance will cover these costs.
We didn’t travel overseas for these past two weeks precisely because of the “what if” with testing positive. We’re all vaccinated, but the extra time that would have been needed to quarantine is beyond the scope of what we could work into the schedule for those who work.
We’ve enjoyed our domestic trip, so no complaints from anyone. We’ve always been quite flexible, so that helps. When one enjoys seeing “everything,” order doesn’t really matter. You choose one that fits the time and occasion.
Very soon I’ll be shopping for February (whole month). Our first thought is Caribbean. H and I would stay there the whole time and the “kids” would come visit as they were able for a week or two, possibly overlapping each other and possibly not.
Time will tell. If I don’t see what we want in the Caribbean I’ll probably search Central America. We have FL as a backup. That’s what we used this year during Covid.
3 Likes
Israel in three weeks. Covid is the least of our problems.
8 Likes
Just returned this week from a trip. We were hesitant but it was a reschedule from last year and we didn’t know what next year would look like so we went for it.
We all were vaccinated, the country we traveled to required a PCR Covid test 3 days prior. They also tested everyone with a rapid test on arrival. They also required a self test to be returned on day 4. They had testing available preflight for our return to the US. It went smoothly and I’m glad we went. I did buy insurance in case anyone tested positive and wasn’t able to return home.
5 Likes
D19 is on the fence about her semester abroad in Rome which would be September - December. The program has already said no matter what happens with Covid they are not allowing travel between countries, and depending on the situation at the time they may not even be able to travel outside their region. We thought we had up until the last minute to decide but we just got an email saying we have to submit our flight information by June 3rd. She could still get out of the program and get our money back up until late August but we would be stuck with airline credit on an airline we don’t normally use. Not sure how she is going to make her decision, it’s a tough one!
We (like everyone else) cancelled several trips in 2020 and are so ready to travel/use some of our airline credit! We are thinking about planning a European trip late October/early November in hopes they get their vaccination percentages up by then. We are open to any country and will monitor the situation closely. Fingers crossed that it works! If not, guess we continue waiting…
2 Likes
would you mind sharing which countries you visited?
A great interview with the “American king of Europe” with some thoughts on 2021 travel:
2 Likes
I was just watching tennis on TV and they had to clear the stadium for the 9pm curfew that Paris still has. The announcers said the curfew is enforced with harsh penalties and the authorities would not give a waiver to the French open, that all the press, etc., have special passes to travel back to their hotels after curfew.
Not quite ready for tourists.
1 Like
Thanks for posting that! My thoughts exactly, the people who live in the countries make the trip so enjoyable. I want to see smiles, as well as things open. I switched my October 2021 hotel reservations yesterday to May 2022.
3 Likes
Tahiti
4 Likes
I feel like I need to subscribe to the Seattle paper to be able to read all the good articles you post 
I can not find clear answer to the question if vaccinated US citizens can go to France and Italy without quarantine this summer. Is negative covid test required if we want to cross border from France to Italy and back? Do we need negative test to return home?
Can’t answer about border crossings, but negative PCR Covid test is apparently required to get back in the US, at least for now. Kid’s BF is fully immunized, but had to get a test. Missed his flight because the tests results were delayed.
ETA: I hear that travel agents (heard about them?) are now back in demand because they can help sort out these logistics.
1 Like
To visit France from the US, you need, if you’re vaccinated, either a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure or an antigen test within 48 hours.