Understanding Holiday Travel Amidst the Omicron Spread

With the holiday season upon us, millions of Americans are preparing to travel by road and air. AAA has forecasted that 109 million individuals will be on the move this season.

However, the looming presence of the omicron variant is a concern for many travelers, as it has become the dominant variant in the United States, accounting for 73% of new cases last week.

In response to the omicron variant, several popular tourist destinations have implemented travel restrictions or closed their borders. This has prompted many travelers to consider how to safeguard themselves and their families during the holidays—and whether to travel at all.

What implications does this have for your holiday travel plans? Here’s what you need to know about traveling as the omicron variant continues to spread this holiday season.

What should I understand about the omicron variant before I travel?

The omicron variant, initially identified in South Africa, may have higher transmissibility. It features several mutations in the spike protein, which could reduce its effectiveness against COVID-19 vaccines.

This variant has been detected in numerous countries, including the United States, where it has become the primary coronavirus strain. Cities like New York and Washington, D.C. are seeing increases in case numbers.

Travelers planning holiday trips should be aware that omicron cases are rising at a faster pace than the delta variant, according to Dr. Ilan Shapiro, medical director of education and wellness at AltaMed Health Services and a spokesperson for Clorox.

"This presents a mixed scenario: the good news is it appears to be less severe, but the downside is that it could lead to more cases, overwhelming our hospitals and complicating community health," Dr. Shapiro conveyed to TPG via email.

How can I ensure my safety while traveling?

With the emergence of the new variant, travelers may need to enhance their safety measures once again. This could involve purchasing high-quality N95 or KN95 masks and ensuring they have plenty of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. Reducing interactions with others whenever possible and keeping your mask on, except when eating or drinking, are effective strategies to minimize the risk of contracting the virus.

"Travelers should consider how to limit germ transmission throughout their journey – from pit stops to airport terminals," Dr. Shapiro stated. "Wearing a mask, maintaining social distance, and disinfecting surfaces before use can significantly help in reducing germ spread."

Dr. Shapiro also advised that travelers planning to visit older or immunocompromised relatives may want to reconsider their travel plans, although he recognized the emotional toll of spending another holiday apart from family.

Where can I go for holiday travel this season?

Numerous destinations remain accessible to American travelers, including Mexico and many parts of the Caribbean. A significant portion of Europe is still open as well, despite the spread of the omicron variant.

Travelers can explore places like France, Belgium (for vaccinated individuals), and Greece, but keep in mind that countries may introduce new restrictions if the COVID-19 situation deteriorates. It's advisable to stay updated on travel conditions right up to your departure date, especially for European trips.

Even if you have travel plans, don’t expect a conventional holiday experience. For instance, although most residents of New York City are fully vaccinated, an omicron surge has resulted in some restaurant closures and the cancellation of certain Broadway shows.

Which destinations are currently off-limits to Americans?

Due to the omicron variant, a number of destinations have closed their borders to Americans and travelers from other countries. If you had holiday plans to visit these places, it might be time to reconsider your itinerary.

Here’s what you should know about some well-known tourist spots:

• Israel implemented a travel ban in late November and has now extended this ban to travelers from the United States due to concerns over the omicron variant. Americans are currently prohibited from visiting.
• Japan has enforced some of the strictest COVID-19 protocols but had recently started allowing limited entry for certain travelers. However, the emergence of the omicron variant has led to a renewed ban on entry for all foreign nationals as of late November.
• Australia remains largely closed to most international visitors, including many Americans, unless you possess a pre-approved emergency exemption.

Furthermore, while some destinations remain open, many have introduced new restrictions or requested residents to stay home during the holiday season.

If you were looking forward to wandering the canals of Amsterdam and indulging in stroopwafels, here's the disappointing news: The Netherlands is under a strict lockdown, with nonessential shops closed until mid-January and residents advised to stay at home. Gatherings for Christmas and New Year's Eve are limited to a maximum of four people.

Canada remains open to international travel; however, it has urged its citizens to avoid nonessential trips outside the country due to the omicron variant, regardless of vaccination status. The government cited the "unpredictable global COVID-19 situation" for this advisory. Nevertheless, U.S. citizens can still enjoy Niagara Falls or Montreal by presenting a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to entry and uploading proof of vaccination via ArriveCan.

Thailand, a popular Southeast Asia tourist destination, began reopening in phases this year. However, like many countries, it is now grappling with the impact of the omicron variant. All travelers to Thailand – whether vaccinated or not – will be required to quarantine for at least seven days at their hotel upon arrival. Additionally, the "Phuket Sandbox" initiative, which allowed vaccinated travelers to enter without quarantine, will be temporarily paused except for those heading to Phuket.

What should I do to get a refund if my trip is canceled?

No one wants to cancel a trip, especially after months of anticipation. However, in these times, the reality of needing to postpone or cancel vacations is something travelers must be prepared for.

Most airlines and hotels now permit travelers to alter or cancel their plans without incurring penalties. Generally, obtaining a refund is much simpler if you booked directly with the travel provider rather than through an online travel agency and chose refundable options. Here’s how to cancel your bookings with hotels and airlines:

Hotels

• Hilton Honors: If you’re using the website, go to "Manage your stay," select "All upcoming stays," and locate the reservation you wish to cancel. You can also receive assistance from customer support by clicking the Call Me button or the Chat With Us box on the Hilton site.
• IHG: To cancel your IHG hotel booking, visit the "Manage Your Reservations" page or call 1-888-211-9874 if you’re an IHG Rewards member in the U.S. or Canada. This page provides phone numbers for individual IHG brands.
• Marriott Bonvoy: Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account online, go to My Trips, and find the reservation you want to cancel. For assistance, call 1-800-228-2100.
• World of Hyatt: You can cancel your booking online using your first name, last name, reservation confirmation number, or credit card number. If you can’t locate your reservation online, call 1-800-233-1234 if you’re in the U.S., Canada, or the Caribbean.

Airlines

• Alaska Airlines: To cancel your reservation, you can visit this page and enter your last name along with either the confirmation code or e-ticket number.
• American Airlines: Check your refund eligibility and options on this page by entering your ticket number and last name, or call 800-433-7300. Note that AAdvantage elites have a dedicated priority phone line.
• Delta Air Lines: To cancel your Delta ticket, select your flight, click Modify Flight, then Start Flight Cancellation, and finally Cancel Your Trip.
• Frontier Airlines: If you need to cancel a Frontier flight, log into My Trip or call Frontier Reservations at 801-401-9000 if it’s been over 24 hours since booking.
• JetBlue: Use the manage trips page or contact the airline to change or cancel your reservation. Have your confirmation number, flight number, travel dates, and customer info ready.
• Southwest Airlines: To cancel your Southwest flight, visit this page, call 1-800-435-9792, or use the chat feature in the Southwest App.
• Spirit Airlines: Spirit doesn’t offer refundable fares, so cancellation or change fees depend on how close it is to your travel date. For instance, changing a flight within two days of departure incurs a $99 fee. You can manage your reservation by visiting My Trips.
• United Airlines: To cancel your United flight, go to My Trips to cancel your reservation and request a refund. Depending on your ticket type and any disruptions, you might receive a travel credit or a refund.

Keep in mind that nonrefundable fares, like basic economy, typically do not qualify for refunds.

Is it safe to travel right now?

Opinions among experts regarding holiday travel vary, with some indicating that it's fine (if you're vaccinated) while others strongly recommend canceling travel plans.

Dr. Shapiro recommends choosing airlines, rental car services, or hotels that are committed to following safety protocols.

"If you decide to travel, the safest approach is to go only if you’re vaccinated, feeling healthy, wearing a mask, washing your hands, and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces during your trip," he advised.

Ultimately, the choice to travel or not is a personal one that we can't decide for you. It should be made with input from loved ones and healthcare professionals, like your doctor, while considering public health, especially when heading to areas with low vaccination rates or limited access to COVID-19 vaccines.

As I’ve mentioned previously, there are multiple resources we rely on at TPG to stay updated on the coronavirus situation:

• CDC COVID-19 Travel Recommendations: The CDC has a five-level database that indicates COVID-19 conditions, ranging from "Level Unknown" to "Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19." They advise against traveling to Level 4 areas and recommend full vaccination if travel is necessary.
• Similar to the CDC, the U.S. State Department uses its own ratings, from Level 1 "Exercise Normal Precautions" to Level 4 "Do Not Travel." Their color-coded map highlights countries deemed high risk for travelers.
• Johns Hopkins University: They provide an informative COVID-19 map that can be filtered by city and county.
• Lastly, checking local news sources in your destination can offer insights into the current situation, particularly if you’re traveling internationally. Local media often reports on COVID-19 restrictions or travel bans before the U.S. Embassy does.