Navigating the world of travel post-COVID-19 can be confusing. The world is slowly opening up but where can you actually travel right now? What is your risk once you arrive, and what checkpoints and procedures will you have to go through? Every country has different rules, and it can be a full-time job just trying to stay on top of the most current information. Fortunately, there are some very user-friendly tools available to help you plan your next trip safely. Below you’ll find our top four sites for post-COVID-19 travel information and what each one provides you with.
CDC
The CDC website is one we have all probably become familiar with in the past months. In addition to providing sanitation and containment tips, you can see case-count data for every state on the CDC map . It will tell you the number of cases in a given state within the last seven days. They also provide advice on how to stay safe during road-trips and suggestions for domestic travel safety. This is the first website to check when you are considering a road-trip or other domestic travel.
Sitata
Sitata is both an online map and an app. It’s been around since before the pandemic but I think we can all appreciate its usefulness just a little bit more right now. On the Sitata website, they have an interactive COVID-19 map. The map not only shows the active case density per 100,000 but also gives their own risk rating. It’s especially helpful to have their interpretation of the case-count data and an objective, quantifiable risk rating for each country you’re considering.
The app itself was developed by Dr. Ronald St. John, who was Canada’s first director-general of emergency preparedness, and that background is evident. It uses computer algorithms and a 24/7 news feed to monitor outbreaks and other safety concerns. You can you store your entire itinerary and the app will update you on health concerns, safety issues, and even transit strikes for the specific areas you’re visiting. Additionally, it provides quick-access emergency numbers and doctors’ information should you need it. If you pay to upgrade to the pro version, the app also offers to notify your friends and family when you’ve landed, gives you real-time flight updates, and provides terminal or gate changes. As we start to travel again and are more conscious of what could happen, this app is a great tool to keep our minds at peace.
Kayak
You may only think of Kayak.com as a search engine, but their entire COVID-19 section is a great resource. The most helpful piece, which provides up-to-date information about travel restrictions around the world, is their interactive COVID-19 map . The map shows you the different “phases” each country is in, their current active case-count, and any specific travel restrictions or quarantines in place. A few of the countries have a whole page dedicated to their quarantine and border policies. Kayak is a user-friendly resource for an at-a-glance color-coded update on which countries are available for travel. When you’re starting to consider traveling internationally, the Kayak map is a great place to start.
IATA TRAVEL CENTRE
The IATA Travel Centre is a great centralized source of information about international travel restrictions and regulations. They have a travel regulations map, which provides you with detailed information from each of the countries’ own governments. It doesn’t focus on case count or risk factor — it just gives you the facts about the restrictions, listing the overall rules and all the exceptions. The language is a bit more technical, but it covers each type of traveler and all the possible exceptions. IATA Travel Centre provides a quick, easy tool to check your passport and visa requirements. You can also check the customs and pet information for each country. This is a simpler way to check up on the regulations for other countries without trying to slog through each government’s website. They update the information regularly — just keep in mind when you’re looking at it that the “date published” is written in the European fashion — day/month/year.
The travel restrictions are ever-evolving, and if you are making travel plans the burden is on you to stay updated. Using these sites will empower you to decide when and where you feel most comfortable traveling in the new post-pandemic world. And contacting Annie’s Escapes will help you make it happen!
