Current Status on Summer Adventures

While the chaos of COVID-19 has sent the world off to face the reality of what seems like an uncontrollable pandemic, the long-awaited return of beach days and sunscreen are finally here.

The summer season has returned! Flip flops, suntans, and new memories seem to be on everyone's mind during this time. Almost every schoolchild longs for the two and a half months where they can catch up on sleep, go crazy at pool parties, and take on long road trips. However, this summer might look a little different. As the school year draws to a close, families are ignoring expert advice and laying down their beach towels to mark their sunbathing spots. 2020 has hit each and every one of us hard with its dreadful surprises, and with a widespread pandemic still on the loose, it is important to realize the severity of the current situation.

Travel bans have been enacted in most countries and depending on the reason why one is leaving the nation, they may or may not be allowed to depart. In fact, the European Union is not allowing tourists from the United States to enter any of their nations, as they try to reopen their borders. Other nations find themselves with fewer restrictions than before, but limitations nonetheless. There is no simple way to determine what the difference between nonessential travel and essential travel is, but the urgency of the matter- when looking at the big picture- is the best strategy. If you have a sick family member, then, of course, it makes sense for you to travel to support them. However, if you just want to visit the beaches in the Caribbean for the fun of it, you might want to question if it is worth the risk.

Nonessential travel is being prohibited in nations worldwide, and with good reason. Many specialists fear that people can be exposed very easily in busy places, such as the airport and on an airplane. Aircraft are specifically designed to regulate oxygen at great heights, using their ventilation systems, which essentially recycle the oxygen everyone on the plane breathes. In other words, everyone shares the same air for the entire duration of the flight, making it very simple for air-borne diseases to spread. But, since the CDC reports that there is not much concrete evidence that supports the fact that the coronavirus is an airborne disease, air vents are less likely to transfer the disease.

Unfortunately, public aircraft are not boarded by simply one or two people, but by almost a hundred people (sometimes more, depending on the size of the aircraft). Therefore, by riding on a plane, the lives of each and every one of the individuals aboard may be at risk. According to an article about “How U.S. Carriers Are Working to Protect Travelers”, most American airlines are doing what they can to make sure their passengers remain safe. But, as government officials and medical professionals have stated time and time again, the best way to prevent contracting the virus is to make sure you do not put yourself in a vulnerable situation. This includes both international and domestic travel, as people in the epicenter of the virus should still try to remain in quarantine.

Is It Worth It?

It really is very hard for the American public to give up one of the most dynamic seasons of the year, but the health and security of millions of people are at stake. If we continue to find ourselves limiting physical distancing, not maintaining a 6 feet distance, and going out every day without a mask, we may be stuck in this sticky situation longer than expected. Quarantine may not have been the best idea for our economy or small businesses, but it was effective in reducing the curve and this is proven through the nations that we now see being able to open their borders and streets safely. It is no surprise that the European Union would want to limit the number of Americans that travel to their countries, as almost any one of us could unknowingly and unintentionally be a carrier.

As our own businesses start to reopen and the jolly summer air starts to convince people to give in to their adventurous desires and take a stroll around town without a mask on, please be aware that the risks of contracting the coronavirus are higher than ever. Traveling may seem like a pain due to all of the restrictions and airport testing, but these procedures are simple safety precautions that are in place for your wellbeing. One summer without a trip to France or sneaking up to a lake house with your friends is not going to be the end of the world. On the contrary, summer with record high cases and climbing hospitalization numbers might just prolong this summer love separation.

For more information on which countries have travel restrictions, check out the following link:

https://www.kayak.com/travel-restrictions.

Sources

Airlines for America. (n.d.). COVID-19: How U.S. Carriers Are Working to Protect Travelers. Retrieved June 30, 2020, from https://www.airlines.org/blog/covid-19-how-u-s-carriers-are-working-to-protect-travelers/

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). (2020, February 11). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/airline-toolkit.html

Smithson, B. (2020, May 9). What is considered essential travel vs. nonessential travel during coronavirus restrictions? The Points Guy. https://thepointsguy.com/guide/essential-vs-non-essential-travel-coronavirus/

Stevis-Gridneff, M. (2020, June 30). EU May Ban Travel from US as it Reopens Borders, Citing Coronavirus Failures. Https://Www.Nytimes.Com/#publisher. https://www.nytimes.com