On Monday the U.S. will lift a ban on international tourists, allowing them to enter the country for the first time in a year and a half. Proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test required.
The move has led to a blitz of travel bookings and will finally allow many families and friends to reunite. It should also give the embattled travel industry a much-needed boost.
“It’s exciting for many people who have been separated by these rules and can now visit family and friends in the U.S. over the holidays,” said my colleague Heather Murphy, who covers travel for The Times. For the travel industry, which has been pummeled by the pandemic, she added, “it’s a positive sign that things are moving back toward normal.”
Cities like New York, San Francisco and Washington are all planning for an influx of international visitors this holiday season, and ski resorts and beach towns should also be popular, especially as people are still gravitating toward destinations where they can have fun outside. Families with children will also start to be more comfortable traveling, now that children in the U.S. as young as 5 can get vaccinated.
Americans see the reopening as a signal that they too can travel internationally, experts said. Searches for outbound travel on the booking app Hopper, for instance, have increased by 24 percent since the announcement, the highest uptick since the spring.
But we’re still in a pandemic, and this holiday season, whether you’re coming to the U.S. or traveling elsewhere, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind.
Start planning now. Pandemic traveling requires preparation and leaving room for last-minute changes in regulations, flight schedules or Covid outbreaks. Prices have also increased across the industry, and accommodations at popular destinations — like Honolulu, Hawaii, and Palm Beach, Fla. — are already booked or filling up.
Know the virus regulations. They can be complicated, and they’re constantly changing. Make sure you know which types of Covid tests are accepted where you’re traveling, and what is acceptable as proof of vaccination. Here’s a primer on testing and vaccinations for travel.
Be patient. For those traveling to the U.S., American officials have warned of longer wait times at some ports of entry, and have asked people to have their travel and vaccine documents at the ready. Here’s what you need to know about traveling to the U.S.
Be prepared to adapt. “Be flexible and open to the possibility that things may shift,” Heather said. Airlines continue to regularly cancel flights, and an ill-timed positive Covid test while on vacation could leave you stranded. Keep in mind that services, from renting a car to dining out, may be limited or disrupted.
“This will be the first holiday season since the pandemic began that many people will have big meals and events with people in other parts of the country and the world,” Heather said. At the same time, pandemic anxiety and disputes over virus regulations like mask wearing could make this holiday travel season even more strained than normal. “We just have to be generous and patient with one another,” she added, “because so many people are upset about this pandemic, but it’s still here.”
More on travel:
If you’re a U.S. citizen, here’s a look at the places in the world where you can travel, along with local virus restrictions.