Page 22 - Adelante Magazine April 2021

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TRAVELING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

One of the things that I have found Caribbean, and this is what I had to
fascinating about the pandemic, in do in light of COVID-19. Because I'm
addition to the fact that there's so a US citizen, I had to get a negative
much about it that we still don't know, COVID-19 test within 120 days of my
is that everyone seems to have a arrival into Saint Maarten. Once I got
different level of comfort regarding that test, and the results were
social interactions in situations. We all negative, I had to fill out an online
have those friends who have been government form for Saint Maarten,
sequestered in their homes including the details about my
completely, barely venturing outside COVID-19 test, and pay $30. They
and have certainly not seen many then emailed me a kind of COVID-19
people. Then we have those friends permission slip that I had to print out
who are like, "Pandemic? What and bring with me to show the airline
pandemic?" and act as if nothing has counter. What they didn't tell me was
happened. that I would still need to have a
printout of my COVID-19 results as
This is certainly no different in the well. Luckily, at 1 AM I shot out of bed
travel world as well. I have recently the night before and had the thought
started traveling again, and it has been to print out my test and bring it to the
fascinating to watch peoples' reactions airport even though on the
to it. Some people want to hear all government websites didn't require it.
about it, and have asked me to post So even if you're traveling to a country
lots of photos so that they can live that has you fill out their online form,
vicariously. They are genuinely really make sure you always have a printout
excited whenever I'm going anywhere. of your negative COVID-19 test as
Then there are others who are well, just in case.
concerned for my well-being, and think
that the idea of flying anywhere is Upon arrival in the Saint Maarten, it
scary. Then, you have the Covid- was really easy. They just looked at
shamers, and they are my favorite. my passport like normal and checked
out my test results. There really
I ran into a few shamers recently when wasn't any extra time taken.
I made a TickTock video (zoombryan)
about my upcoming trip to the At the resort where I stayed on the
Maldives. A few people commented island, we had to wear masks in
things like "traveling during a at your table and remove your mask to eat, you public spaces, such as the restaurant,
pandemic, nice". I didn't engage, but I really magically cannot transmit the COVID-19 virus. but most of my time there I didn't have to wear
wanted to tell that person, "I bet you go to Magic! a mask. I had some spectacular walks on the
restaurants though, don't you?" Personally, I beach maskless, not really encountering
have not been going to restaurants for indoor Listen I think people should do whatever anybody. And getting away was just what the
dining until I get vaccinated. But yeah, I will get makes us feel comfortable, as long as we are doctor ordered. I felt happier after only being
on a plane. In the air, we are all wearing being as responsible as we can be and there for a few hours.
masks, and the air filtration systems are sensitive to frontline workers while still
actually very good. continuing in life with some degree of normalcy. Now, to get back into the United States,
everyone needs to have proof of a negative
But here's the best part about air travel inter- Of course, restaurants, bars, etc. need our COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their flight to
nationally. Yes, it is possibly annoying that you support right now, as do hotels and airlines. the USA. My hotel organized this for me the
have to get a negative COVID-19 test before Cruises are still pretty tough at the moment morning of my flight, and it was a breeze. A
entering most countries right now, including the until they get a better handle on quarantine nursing van (well, that is what I am calling it. It
United States, but it is actually pretty amazing procedures. The travelers who love cruising was a couple of nurses in a van with various
to get on that plane, and know that everyone who I've spoken to are not scared to get COVID-19 testing equipment) came and tested
else on that plane has just tested negative for COVID-19 on the boat. They're more me and some other travelers. I had my
COVID-19 within the last 72 hours. When are concerned that somebody else could test negative results back within 10 minutes, all
you ever in that kind of environment where positive, and then they could be quarantined printed out, ready for me to bring to the airport.
everyone around you just tested negative? Not somewhere for a lengthy period of time. The cost for the test was $165.
in the grocery store. Not at the bank. And
certainly, absolutely, not in restaurants--you I recently went to Saint Maarten in the They asked to see my results at the American
know that place were as soon as you are sat Airlines check-in counter, but they actually
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