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COVID Travel Tips & Resources

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

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Before you take to the skies, book flights for family, hit the open road or start planning your next vacation, be sure you are in the know. Travel in current times is not what it used to be and the savvy traveler has to be informed and ready for the new normal; additional documentation, fluctuating flight schedules, varied reopening times, congestion and lines, along with the many and varying travel requirements and guidelines still in place. RTTtravel has put together the tips and resources to help you navigate the ever changing world of travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

Know the Requirements of Your Destination

Travel guidelines WILL continue to change, so you'll need to check your destination country's official government websites, the CDC website and the website of any countries you will be traveling through on a regular basis before and during your travel. Staying informed will allow you keep ahead of possible problems, plan around them and keep your time with loved ones and vacation on track. A great place to start is the CDC Travel Recommendations website and reviewing the current Department of State Travel Advisories and COVID-19 guidelines:

CDC OVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination

Provides risk assessment by country
Gives key information and recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers
Quick guide also available

U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories

U.S. Department of State COVID-19 Travel Guidance

As of June 2021, the German Government lifted all travel restrictions for persons residing in the U.S. to once again travel to Germany for all purposes. However, a proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from COVID-19, or a negative test result are still required for entry. Additionally, Germany no longer categorizes the U.S. as a risk area and now permits travelers to enter Germany without digitally registering for entry or quarantine upon arrival. For additional information and current requirements please visit:

U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Germany

Country specific Information
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Movement restrictions
Quarantine Information

German Federal Foreign Office Website

Travel Documents

EU Digital COVID Certificate (Digital Green Certificate)

Effective 1 Jul 2021, the new EU Digital Certificate will become available in all 27 EU countries to be used as a digital proof that a person has either been vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result or recently recovered from COVID-19. This free, safe and secure is available to and U.S. military ID / DoD ID card holders.

Instructions for Obtaining EU Digital COVID Certificate

Click to Download PDF

Additional information about this program can be found on the below websites:

More Info About the EU Digital COVID Certificate

EU Digital COVID Certificate Print Friendly FAQ

Passports

Passport renewal services are once again operational, but plan ahead for possible delays. If your passport expires within the next 12 months it is advised that you begin the renewal process now to avoid delays that might result in expiration and loss of use.

Travel Tip!

Store copies of any COVID related documentation such as testing, recovery and vaccination paperwork with your passport so it's automatically in hand when you travel.

Air Travel

Under federal mandate, as of June 2021, face masks are still mandatory on all U.S. domestic flights for any traveler over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status. This rule applies at TSA checkpoint, inside airports, on all U.S. domestic flights and the majority of international flights. PCR tests are usually required for entering a foreign country. It's best to be diligent and assume nothing. Check, re-check and check one last time. Regulations change constantly. Where some destinations may be reducing their requirements, others may increase theirs – don't make assumptions about where you are going based on how things are in your current location. When making your travel plans, review what is needed as your travel departure date approaches in case you need a test or if other requirements have changed.

The below websites provide additional advisories and information that can be valuable when making your travel plans:

CDC Domestic Travel Information

CDC Order: International Travelers Arriving by Air

International Travel Advisories by Country

IATA COVID-19 Travel Regulations by Country

TSA COVID-19 Information

Air Travel Tips!

Tip #1: TSA now allows bottles of hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces. Take advantage of this increase and take a larger bottle with you. This will give you plenty of juice to sanitize not only yourself, but the places that you sit in the terminal, the plane, your hotel rooms and other public spaces you spend time in during your travel.
Tip #2: In-flight services are still not uniformly available and can be unpredictable. Bring your own in-flight snacks and beverages with you. Some airport shops and restaurants remain closed or have reduced hours (especially early and late in the day), plan ahead for this by bringing snacks from home and an empty water bottle and some drink powder that you can mix when you have cleared TSA security screening.

Great Travel Tech

Your smart phone can be an amazing asset when planning your travel and keeping up to date on any changes once you have embarked on your trip.Consider utilizing the following helpful tools that are offered free of charge by government agencies:

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
STEP is provided by the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs and provided enrollees with important information and safety conditions about destination countries allowing you to make informed decisions while planning and during your travel. The program will also make it easy for the Embassy to contact you in the case of an emergency such as a natural disaster or civil unrest and allow family and friends to reach you via the consulate in the case of a family crisis. The Smart Traveler App has recently been added to further enhance the user experience, allowing access via your smart phone.

Click here to enroll for STEP

Smart Traveler App for STEP
Created by the U.S. Department of State, this app provides specific government information such as current travel warnings and alerts for international destinations and contact information for U.S. embassies and consulates.If you belong to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) can also access this account through the Smart Traveler App.

CDC TravWell App
Be aware of any potential health risks before and during your travels. Download the free CDC TravWell app to get up-to-date health warnings for locations around the world. This app lets you prepare and plan well in advance by logging your destinations ahead of time, getting the information on necessary vaccines and medications and storing your travel documents and medical records all in one place.

Full Details at DigitalGov

Our team at RTTtravel is available during normal business hours to assist you with your travel plans and answer any questions you may have that can't be found in the resources above.

We look forward to working with you and wish you safe and happy travels!