International travel in Covid times and the new requirements for 24 hour testing prior to departure on international flights returning to the US. Tips for how to manage international travel.
Was it worth it to enjoy a relaxing week at a tropical resort? We thought so!
We just returned from a week at Couples Negril in Jamaica and there were sizable hoops to jump through to travel there safely. (For our report on recent domestic travel, see our post here)
Hoop 1
Jamaica, which is in independent Caribbean nation, had its own rules for allowing visitors. Every country has a slightly different set of rules and requirements and it’s important to stay on top of the changes. (For instance, new rules to return to the US were implemented just days before our trip!) I use a couple of reputable sources for this including Wendy Perrin’s list of countries open to American travelers which is updated regularly and linked directly to each governments own site for clarity! Also, Insure My Trip has an excellent information about insurance and protecting both your health and travel investment.
We were sure to check the official website of the country we were visiting to ensure we followed all their requirements. Most good travel advisors will send you a link to these sites, and be sure to check close to your trip for any last minute changes.
Hoop 2
We had to fill out a health information form online the week before our trip and an algorithm determined our “eligibility” to visit within seconds and we had a downloadable letter with QR code from Dr Jaqueline, the health minister of Jamaica, allowing our visit.
We received our approval immediately online after answering some questions.
Hoop 3
Next step was getting an approved PCR test no more than 72 hours in advance, which we did at our Drs office and this yielded another emailed QR code.
Before leaving home, we did a drive through covid PCR test as required by the country where we traveled.
Hoop 4
All of these items can be done by computer and printed and carried, but for most, using a mobile device and carrying them as a screen shot or in a health wallet seems to work easiest. And don’t forget your vaccine card and regular passport! Possibly because of this new high tech health check, we noticed far fewer senior visitors (over 70) traveling than ever at this time of year (which we’ve down for several years pre pandemic) And of course fear of the actual virus is probably keeping many older people home.
The list of documents you need to travel today has grown, as always your passport, but also any test results, visas or government approvals, as well as your vaccine record.
Hoop 5
All of these documents are inspected at the airline before you can board your international flight, and your boarding pass will be marked or stamped in a way that makes it clear your documents were in order, so save that boarding pass after you land! You may be checked again by local officials at your destination or In our case the Jamaican officials simply confirmed that our boarding pass had been duly checked in the US.
Before taking off, all your documents will be carefully checked by your airline, hold onto your marked boarding pass because this will show other officials you passed the check at your home airport.
Hoop 6
After arriving in Jamaica, we had to be aware of any restrictions or rules specific to the country before traveling there! Are masks required indoors? Temperature checks? Quarantine despite testing and vaccination status? ! Also we wanted to know what the plan is should you turn up positive in the country. We canceled one trip because of a requirement to “quarantine in a government facility at the travelers expense” which seemed too ill defined for our comfort, while our Jamaican resort promised quarantine at “their expense in another part of the same resort” with which we had far greater comfort. Being stuck in a resort hotel room with an ocean view and mandatory room service seems far better than possibly being sent to an unknown government detention facility at an undefined cost to yourself.
After clearing customs in Jamaica, we made our way to our resort where rules included masking at the rare indoor venues and anywhere like the outdoor buffet where distancing is difficult. Our resort was also required to contract trace at every dining venue and temperature check at breakfast.
Distancing reminders throughout the resort
Hoop 7
The only other “hoop” to get through was testing (antigen rapid test) 24 hours before returning to the US (a new US travel requirement for returning citizens.) Luckily, our resort provided this testing on site and it was conveniently scheduled when we arrived for 24 hours before our departure. This meant other than making that appointment, the rest of our vacation was ours to enjoy, trouble free!
Detail of an ornament on the lobby Christmas tree at Couples Negril
My Opinion
I think the new 24 hour testing requirement by the US government for all people including citizens entering from foreign countries is a big improvement. First, the previous rules requiring a 3 day prior test could be onerous for anyone whose travel might be off the grid, it required you to interrupt your vacation to get the test, then fret (and continue to potentially expose people and be exposed to Covid) for the next couple of days while awaiting a lab to do the test and release results. The 24 hour requirement now comes at the end of your trip, when you are more likely to be returning to a larger city where the airport is located. The reults are nearly instant and is also ensures that everyone on your flight was also Covid negative just one day prior to your flight, with far fewer hours to contract Covid after testing but before flying. The rapid test is relatively cheaper than the more expensive PCR tests and many times will be offered by your resort or tour company, so check this before you go! If not, it’s very easily arranged to use a company that provides the kit and an online appointment (be sure you have reliable Wi-Fi) to walk you through the test and verify your results with that all important QR code!
At our resort the busy Saturday departure day meant that we had about an hour wait to do the testing onsite at the resort on Friday and we had our results via email before we finished lunch after testing. I know had a little moment of panic the night before testing, despite being vaxed and boosted, we had earlier in the week passed the quarantine block with just a few coughing guests (we had taken to calling it “cell block 9” since it was in the ninth building) and although the rooms looked lovely and a nice waitress was delivering sealed meals with a security guard, I really didn’t want to be positive and locked in a hotel room in a foreign country! But it was a small risk I had been willing to take.
In order to fly home, you need to fill out an “attestation” online that your airline will send you in your return flight confirmation email. (Don’t ignore this like we did, and that’s a royal “we” as I don’t get the airline emails, or you’ll have to fill it out before getting in line at the airport to check in!)
Tips to Make International Travel Easier
If all that sounds like “a lot” and not worth it, I will say the benefit of international travel right now is having more of the destination to yourself! Only you can decide whether hoops are worth it and if you can feel safe and relaxed while traveling. Here are my tips for foreign travel right now …
Work with a good travel advisor who is up on the latest requirements for your destination. I love Wendy Perrin’s WOW list, but they often put together bespoke (read pricey high end trips) so your own local advisor who provides excellent service and 24 hour coverage will be a great resource for solving any problems. We’ve avoided online agencies where you don’t have a personal relationship with the agent because sometimes it’s difficult to reach humans or information on the website isn’t well maintained to reflect recent changes. However don’t shy away from a large agency where you have an assigned advisor, because they also have may have access to volume pricing and get invited to previews that give them in the destination experience. One of my favorite advisors, Jay Paul, works with CruisePlanners, but is always immediately responsive to my calls and emails. One thing to be aware of, is that more frequently a good advisor may charge you a “planning fee” or membership tp research your trip and put an itinerary together and they should apply that fee to the cost of a booked trip. But expect to pay that fee for the Travel Advisors time if you choose not to book, book on your own or cancel the trip. I’m a member of Active Travels, who works on this model and have provided me with wonderful itineraries I might not have been able to arrange on my own. There are many, many good travel advisors out there, these have not paid me to mention them, they are the sources I use for our travel and it’s good to get a personal reference from people who travel often to share their favorite advisors with you!
Identify a testing site near you that reliably returns results in 24-36 hours for less stress before your flight
Check the government sites of each country you’ll visit for their requirements, no more than a week out, things change quickly.
Get a health wallet or make an album on your phone (alternatively print and put in a folder) all of the results and documents required for your destination and return. Keep your boarding passes with your approval stamp on it to show after you arrive at your destination.
Get good travel insurance with liberal cancellation and medical evacuation insurance. If you are booking a tour, inclusive resort or cruise, it doesn’t hurt to get your trip insured for financial default of the travel business. If they go under before your trip, the insurance may cover some of your losses rather than having to wait for bankruptcy court.
Find out what testing is available for your return flight to the US and make that appointment (if it’s not done for you) This may include getting a test kit sent to you before departure and arranging for Wi-Fi and an online appointment with the testing company before your departure.
Pack your patience. As rules change, officials and tourism businesses are trying to keep up. Things might take a bit longer, and not always be clear. We found asking calmly and waiting patiently made our trip more relaxing than getting frustrated.
Wear your mask properly (nose and mouth) where required and anywhere you think vulnerable people might be. Its important to remember that vaccinations are not readily available in all countries, and many people might not have the option to be vaccinated and poor access to health care to start with. There is almost always a sign that lets you know when masks are required. Be mindful that individual provinces, cities and even institutions within a country can have different rules.
Given all the challenges to international travel during a pandemic, its valuable If you can take a longer vacation to amortize your efforts across more time to enjoy the destination.
Having good trip cancellation and medical evacuation insurance is a wise idea.
So was it worth jumping through the hoops?
We thought so!! For just a few hours of paperwork, waiting for for testing and online forms, we enjoyed a relaxing week in the Caribbean! If you’d like you can enjoy some of our vacation photos, click the button below…and then decide for yourself if you’d like to travel now or just enjoy armchair travel until things get easier!
