Before I start, let me clarify that this post is intended to analyze the complexity of travel restrictions and the fluid nature of the situation. It’s not intended to provide medical advice or commentary on how certain countries or states are doing. Ever since the Covid-19 outbreak started, many countries swiftly moved to put travel restrictions in place. Over the last few weeks, many frequent travelers have been constantly looking up resources in order find out when travel destinations may reopen. However, what’s really going on here? Just yesterday, I wrote about how Hawaii was the latest to scale back their plans to reopen. Hawaii isn’t the only one. We’ve seen many states and countries act on similar lines. Given the scenario, what’s really going on with these Covid-19 travel restrictions?
Covid-19 Travel Restrictions
Not too long ago, Australia and New Zealand were discussing the concept of a travel bubble between the two countries. Canada was on the verge of reopening their border. However, all the plans came to a grinding halt and cases began to surge again.
Also Read: Social Distancing could sound the death knell for travel in 2020
Shifting Goalposts
At the moment, travel restrictions seem like goalposts that constantly keep moving. Most countries seem to be in a whack-a-mole mode and are figuring out what to do. In most cases, countries are simply reacting to rising or falling case numbers and figuring out things on the go. It comes as no surprise that many places are scaling back plans to reopen. More often than not, governments want to play it safe and opt for a more careful and risk averse approach with regards to reopening.
Also Read: Mexico closes U.S border citing fear of Covid-19 spread
Also Read: Europe reopens for travel on July 1, but Americans could still be banned
The Correct Answer
We live an age of instant gratification. Be it news or anything else, we want to consume it in the shortest time possible. However, nobody really has a single correct answer to this problem, yet. We don’t have a vaccine yet. If the world’s foremost health experts haven’t found a panacea yet, I definitely don’t expect the politicians and government officials to get it right the very first time.
Also Read: How to predict when travel will return to normal
The Pundit’s Mantra
Let’s accept it, travel is going to be largely domestic in nature and will be so for at least another year. The aviation industry is about to shrink and the IATA itself predicts that normal levels of passenger traffic won’t be a reality until 2022. On the contrary, we’re seeing an uptick in road trip and short stays.
Here’s what I’m planning to do. Half the year is over. I’m not very optimistic about international travel being easily accessible or ‘normal’ in any sense of the term for the rest of 2020. While airlines have been generous with cancellation policies, I’m in no mood to plan an international trip that I might have to end up canceling.
After an eventful 2018 and 2019, I never expected that 2020 would be such a dampener with respect to international travel. Be that as it may, but I’m now looking forward to international trips next year. If you’re looking to book international travel any time soon, please refer to this post for the most recently updated travel restrictions around the world.
How have the constantly shifting travel restrictions affected your travel plans? Tell us in the comments section.
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