Travelling Costa Rica to the USA During COVID

The U.S. is the nation with the highest number of covid-19 cases and deaths, at 7,896,895 and 216,073 respectively. There are 40,000 new cases every day. Because of this, travelling there is generally avoided at this time. Still, some have urgent business to attend to there and must find a way.

Such was the case of one man who had to fly to the east coast and then get to the middle of the country. He had many questions.

Should I go?

Is it necessary?

Can I go?

Will I have to quarantine each time I cross state lines?

Where are the mandatory quarantines?

Will I be able to get a direct flight to a small town?

Can I circulate through airports to a connecting flight without quarantining?

What are the new restrictions on flights?

How risky is it to be in a closed plane with someone who might have covid?

His experience was that, as in most buildings in Costa Rica, the airport required masks and there were people taking temperatures at the entrance. Once inside, things looked normal except that there were fewer people and there were markings on the floor and seats to remind passengers to leave space between them when on line or in waiting areas. 

Masks were even required on the plane except when eating or drinking. Arriving in New Jersey, the man noticed a lack of people monitoring symptoms. This was because they use cameras that are sensitive to body heat. 

In the U.S., the use of masks and requirements about where to use them vary from state to state and are generally not enforced. The Government seems to rely on people choosing to do the right thing. Some do not. In some states masks are used even outside and in other states they are worn more as a fashion statement than a means of protection, leaving the nose uncovered.

Flying between New Jersey and Missouri would be possible but would leave a paper trail that led to mandatory quarantine so the man opted to get there by road trip, as quarantine rules don’t apply the same to car travel as to air travel. 

To get back into Costa Rica, he would need a PCP test but that’s not a problem because they are widely available, free, and fast. 

The traveler noted that the effect of covid is seen and felt more in Costa Rica than in the United States and is not as marked or obvious in the States where it seems that life goes on as normal for the most part. 

The post Travelling Costa Rica to the USA During COVID first appeared on The Costa Rican Times.