Travel Week in Review – October 29th, 2021

Children under 18 and people from dozens of countries with a shortage of vaccines will be exempt from new rules that will require most travelers to the United States be vaccinated against COVID-19, the Biden administration announced. The government said Monday it will require airlines to collect contact information on passengers regardless of whether they have been vaccinated to help with contact tracing if that becomes necessary. Read More…

Los Angeles International Airport is rolling out a trial reservation system for security checkpoints, the second airport in the United States to test such a system this week. The LAX trial will be available to United Airlines passengers passing through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints in Terminals 7 and 8, according to Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). The program, called “LAX Fast Lane,” is free for travelers and will last for 90 days. Read More…

The CDC extended its Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) through Jan. 15, 2022, citing the continued spread of the delta variant of Covid-19 and breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated people. The CSO had been scheduled to expire on Nov. 1. When the CSO eventually expires, the CDC said it intends to transition to what it calls a voluntary program in coordination with cruise ship operators and other stakeholders, to assist the industry in detecting, mitigating, and controlling the spread of Covid-19 on ships. Read More…

Travel to destinations in the Caribbean is relatively easy right now, although your experience will depend on whether or not you are vaccinated — and when you received your last dose. Some Caribbean islands actually require vaccination for entry, although most let the unvaccinated visit if they’re willing to jump through some hoops. If you’re aching for some relaxation or adventure in the sunny Caribbean. Read More…

A year since Hawaii launched its ‘Safe Travels’ program, requiring domestic visitors to arrive with proof of a negative test or proof of vaccination, state officials say the protocol isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “I think, at least, through the end of this holiday season,” Lt. Gov. Josh Green told Hawaii’s KHON2 on Friday about how long the program will be in place. “The reason for that is that there’s a higher COVID rate on the mainland.” Read More…