It’s a question that’s on the minds of many around the world. This pandemic has us so hungry for travel it’s not even funny. Yet, even once we’re fully vaccinated, travel in the immediate future is going to look and feel very different to what life was like before Covid hit. Here are a few considerations to think about before you book a flight to St. Somewhere.

Expect to still wear a mask, wherever you travel.

Even if you’re fully vaccinated, you’ll need to be conscious of the fact that the vaccination effort is progressing very differently depending on where in the world you are. Your destination may well require you to wear a mask in most places. And even if it doesn’t… you’ll probably get some dirty looks – or worse – from the locals if you’re the only one walking around without a mask on. The bottom line is that, no matter where you’re thinking about travelling, a mask is going to be part of your essential packing list.

You may need to show proof of vaccination.

While controversial, the concept of vaccine passports has been gaining traction, and is viewed by many as one of the fastest routes back to some concept of normal when it comes to international travel. Some countries have already implemented this as a requirement for entry, so like it or not, this may become the new normal for the next little while.

Some attractions may not be open.

Depending on what type of trip you’re looking to take, certain local attractions may not be accessible. You might be fully vaccinated and ready to take on the world again, but the world may not be ready to take on you.

When planning a trip, carefully research the destination you’re looking to visit, as well as any specific attractions you’re hoping to explore. You want to avoid any disappointing surprises upon arrival. And rememeber – if you’re not sure whether a key attraction will be open, it might be best to just wait things out until you know for sure.

Remember, you or your kids may still spread the virus.

The jury’s still out on whether fully vaccinated people can carry and spread the virus to others. The goal of the vaccine was to keep people from dying, and it’s absolutely doing that. But more research is needed to determine the degree to which someone can be fully vaccinated and still spread the virus to others.

Then there’s the issue of kids. Since there’s currently no vaccine accessible to kids under the age of 12, young kids can still catch and spread the virus when traveling abroad. They may do it without symptoms, but it’s absolutely a real possibility. For the sake of others around you, I highly suggest holding off on traveling with kids internationally, especially if you’re thinking about visiting somewhere where the local infection rate is still quite high.

Wrapping it Up

I want to go back to normal as much as anyone else. Before the pandemic hit, my wife and I had planned a 3-week trip to Japan. Now, all I want is to rot on a sandy beach somewhere with an endless supply of piña coladas. The vision I have in my head is probably a little different than reality looks like for many of the destinations that would normally offer that, though. That’s why, as badly as we want to travel right now, we’re going to hold off until things look and feel a little more normal.

I’m not telling you to do the same (though I don’t think it’s a bad idea) – all I’m saying is that, if you’re planning a trip, make sure you consider what the conditions are like over there, and not just what things are like for you in your fully vaccinated corner of the world. Otherwise, you could be in for a shock!