Have you made 2021 travel plans? Do you think they'll happen?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I'm still thinking of singapore/thailand.

[ua_guy]

With the current state of covid activity heating up again this winter, I'm reluctant to make any big plans for the first half of the year. We are targeting some local RV trips still, and maybe some broader ones, but that's going to be influenced by any coming shutdowns. Not planning anything where I can't get a refund, that's for sure.

My focus is turning to what projects and things can I accomplish locally. If now isn't the time to plan vacations then there are still plenty of things to take my mind off work and focus my energy.

[kork13]

Well, we're no longer planning to go up to Alaska around the new year... Why? COVID testing. Alaska requires that all arrivals from out of state show documentation of a negative COVID test, recent within 72hrs, or else face quarantine. I just checked, and our insurance is not covering "elective" (not medically indicated, including personal travel) COVID testing, which means it's out of pocket... Apparently to the tune of $100-$500/person. NOPE! So we'll plan to go up there later, and try to do something more local instead... Sad though, we were really looking forward to going back up there...

[disneysteve]

Well, we're no longer planning to go up to Alaska around the new year... Why? COVID testing. Alaska requires that all arrivals from out of state show documentation of a negative COVID test, recent within 72hrs, or else face quarantine.

I think we'll see more and more of that.

That said, it really makes no sense medically speaking. A negative test means one thing and one thing only: you were negative at the moment the test was done. You could be positive the next day, or the day after that. That's part of why this pandemic is so out of control. People think a negative test means they are good to go about their normal life, so they do, only to develop symptoms a few days later, after they've already exposed a bunch of others.

People need to STAY HOME unless they absolutely have to go out.

[Thrif-t]

We have a tentative trip to Myrtle Beach with a group of 40 in July 2021, but I'm not booking anything until we see how things look around May. If I can't get anything, then we won't go.

Truth be told I'd rather go in June. The weather here sucks in June and July is finally nice summer weather, so ya, if we can't go, I'm fine with that

[kork13]

I think we'll see more and more of that.

That said, it really makes no sense medically speaking. A negative test means one thing and one thing only: you were negative at the moment the test was done. You could be positive the next day, or the day after that. That's part of why this pandemic is so out of control. People think a negative test means they are good to go about their normal life, so they do, only to develop symptoms a few days later, after they've already exposed a bunch of others.

People need to STAY HOME unless they absolutely have to go out.

Generally agreed -- the testing retirement seems somewhat silly, because it effectively requires you to get tested before you fly & expose yourself to the petri dish of airports & airlines. Honestly, I'm almost perfectly comfortable with traveling EXCEPT with the flying. We can & do easily maintain our distance from other people, and our plans were built around that. But the flying piece? Ugh...... With the recycled air, close quarters, and hours sitting in place, it's almost unavoidable to pick up a bug from any infected people.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Generally agreed -- the testing retirement seems somewhat silly, because it effectively requires you to get tested before you fly & expose yourself to the petri dish of airports & airlines. Honestly, I'm almost perfectly comfortable with traveling EXCEPT with the flying. We can & do easily maintain our distance from other people, and our plans were built around that. But the flying piece? Ugh...... With the recycled air, close quarters, and hours sitting in place, it's almost unavoidable to pick up a bug from any infected people.

They say the planes are fine. It's the airports and sitting on a plane not running that is the problem. I'll tell you how it all works out after we fly to hawaii in a couple of weeks.

[disneysteve]

They say the planes are fine. It's the airports and sitting on a plane not running that is the problem.

Yep. Studies are showing that flying is actually quite safe due to mask-wearing and good air circulation and filtration. You're more likely to catch Covid in the terminal.