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As you’ve no doubt heard, the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is the next big thing. It was first reported in South Africa, but has since been discovered in at least 23 countries, including the United States.
Today, the Biden administration tightened travel restrictions. Changes announced today include:
- All travelers coming into the U.S. must now have a negative Covid test one calendar day prior to departure. This applies to all people regardless of nationality and vaccination status. (Previously, vaccinated travelers had up to three days prior to get a test).
- Masks on domestic flights and public transportation will be extended through at least March 18, 2022.
The Worst Part = Uncertainty and What-Ifs
The new guidelines aren’t so bad. Nobody should be surprised about the extension of the mask requirement on planes. The one-day turnaround for tests might be a bit of a pain, depending on where you travel. If these rules are still in place this summer, my family will need to figure out how to fulfill this requirement in the Swiss Alps. But, I’m sure it can be done.
The worst parts for me are the rumors and uncertainty. Before today’s announcement, media reported that the Biden administration was considering a seven-day quarantine for international travelers. And, maybe additional testing would be required a few days after arriving to the U.S. This news got everyone spinning. A seven-day quarantine means my family would need to cancel our spring break trip. While my husband and I can work from home during a quarantine, my kids need to return to school.
Just when my youngest child is vaccinated, just when I thought we were finally getting out of this mess….hello Omicron.
Of course, the number of infections and travel restrictions changes all the time. Who knows what things will be like in a month or two or even by the summer? But, other countries are also tightening their rules. Will Leana ever make it to Japan?
So pardon me if I’m a little bit “Bah Humbug” today about Omicron and the roller coaster of this pandemic. Readers, how are you feeling about Omicron and upcoming travel?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Nancy,
I share with you the frustration…..I am stuck at home for 5 days due to positive case in my son school and back to online school. It is the 4th time we are quarantining (2x for school exposure and 2X due me and my son with covid in separate occasions).
As a service industry professional I can not work from home but thanks to New York State covid labor laws I can get pay with extra sick days. I was planning to see my family in Brazil in March, but if the quarantine requirements change my plans are going to change.
My brother is arriving from Brazil next week and hopefully no more last minute new regulations. Quarantining by himself is not an option. Hotels in NYC are super expensive and I dont have enough points to cover 7 nights in a hotel.
I am as frustrated and everyone else……
@Tania I’m so sorry you’re having to quarantine again. I hope your plans to travel to Brazil can still happen and that your brother doesn’t have any complications next week.
Your anger is misdirected. It shouldn’t be towards Omicron which is just a virus, it should be the governments who implemented these policies as a useless overreaction to Omicron.
100% this.
+1
It’s not anger exactly. It’s more frustration and exasperation at the rumored worst-case scenario restrictions that may or may not happen. And that this virus keeps mutating and coming back around.
Agreed. So far Omicron looks like the mutation we need (knock on wood). More effective and less severe.
https://brownstone.org/articles/the-merchants-of-moral-panic/
+2
Ha! Spoiler alert. I won’t make it to Japan this year. Not canceling the flights just yet, but the writing is on the wall, I’m afraid. At this point I’m starting to shift my planning to Montenegro, and even that is questionable. Ugh, what a mess. I was going to switch my son from virtual school to brick-and-mortar, but this gives me pause. Our Disney plan for February is also up in the air, and I will decide a week or two in advance, depending on the situation. Flexibility is the name of the game at the moment, especially for traveling internationally.
Oh dang it, Leana! The uncertainty sucks! I was hoping 2022 would work for you guys to make it to Japan.