Can you travel to Jamaica now? Traveling to Jamaica During Covid - Safely

As more people get vaccinated and more people feel comfortable flying, you can expect that airports will become more crowded. Follow these 11 steps to reduce your risk of getting or spreading Covid-19 when you fly.

1.   Be fully vaccinated before your trip. If you are eligible, get the booster.

 The CDC update in April 1, 2021, stated that travel, including international travel, is low risk for fully vaccinated individuals. Read the CDC’s press release here. 

Even so, remember that vaccinated people, even after receiving a booster shot, can still get and or spread COVID. While the vaccines are effective, they are not 100% protective.

Especially since it is not yet known how effective they are against some of the new variants, vaccinated persons should take the same precautions as unvaccinated people –  wear a mask, socially distance, and practice good hand hygiene.

2.   Assume everyone you come in contact with could be a carrier for COVID-19.

Practice social distancing. Stay 6ft away from others at all times, including while you are going through security, waiting for the flight, boarding, and deplaning the aircraft.

3.   Wear your mask.

Masks are required in the airport and on the airplane.

Remember that masks must cover both your nose and mouth. Make sure your mask has a nose wire to keep the mask above your nose.

Consider double masking with a medical mask beneath a cloth mask. A CDC study suggests that this approach gives a better fit and blocked 92.5% of potentially infectious particles.

4.   A face shield might be overkill but worth considering. 

5.   Avoid being next to strangers if you can.

Try to sit with people from your own family bubble. The gate agents are usually very willing to help so don’t be afraid to ask to change seats.

6.   Bring disinfecting wipes.

Wipe down your seat, the arm rests including the button to press to recline the seats, the tray table inside and out as well as the lever to open it, the window shade if you are by the window seat, the back of the seat in front of you, including the video monitor if there is one.

Wipe down anything you can or would touch. Don’t forget to do the seat belt as well as the call light and the filtration nozzle.

To not hold up the line, I usually have my wipes nearby, slide into my row, and wipe down the seat very quickly. Once I’m in my seat I do the rest. 

7.   Don’t forget your hand sanitizer which should have either 70% isopropyl alcohol or 60% ethanol to be effective against the coronavirus.

Make sure you try it out before your trip because some brands create a sticky residue after only a few uses, which defeats the purpose as we see it, because then you have to find a bathroom just to wash your hands.

8.   Avoid leaving your seat.

You can’t truly socially distance on an airplane unless it is nearly empty. 

9.   Plan your bathroom breaks to avoid using the restrooms on the airplane.

10.  Bring your own snacks since most airlines have suspended in-flight food service.

Choose items that are easy to eat so you don’t have to have your mask off for long. Please don’t be that person sitting there unmasked nursing a drink forever. 

11.  Wear socks when you fly to avoid stepping on the airport floor barefooted as you go through security. COVID isn’t the only thing to think about!