The world is so different than anything that we have ever seen before. We are in the middle of the pandemic and it has completely changed the way that we live our daily lives and how we are able to shop, be around families, make plans with friends, and, of course, travel.

The entire world has been affected by this pandemic, and perhaps one of the biggest things that have been affected is the travel industry. People are unable to travel across the country much less go on a trip abroad. People everywhere are missing their favorite travel spots and their favorite glamorous or down to earth hotels decked out in comfortable decor such as sliding barn doors with new barn door hardware.

As we move towards 2021, travel may resume even if it does look different than we have ever experienced before. There will still be some restrictions, but you should be able to go where you have been planning.

We may not have a choice about wearing face masks

Optional face masks when out in public may be a thing of the past. While their effectiveness is still being debated as to whether or not they help stop the spread of the coronavirus, it is still being required in many public places in an effort to help. Governments around the world are beginning to make it mandatory to wear a mask, so if traveling to other countries resumes, we should expect that to be a mandate no matter where we go.

Health screenings may be required before going somewhere and upon arrival

When we travel to and from different countries, it is a requirement that we have a passport as well as other important documents that governments require. In 2021, it is likely that we will need to start expecting health checks to be a requirement. It will likely be required that everyone going through the airport or across the border answers questions about COVID-19 symptoms, get their temperatures taken, and if there is any suspicion that someone may be sick, they will likely be denied the ability to travel or be placed into isolation.

We will still have to social distance

Unfortunately, social distancing is not a thing of the past just yet. Most governments are still requiring people to stay about six feet away from each other in public whenever it is possible. Social distancing is designed to help slow down or stop the chance of the disease spreading like it would if everyone were to continue standing close to one another. As we go into 2021, we will more than likely still be mandated to social distance especially when we travel. That means air travel, hotels, bars, tourist spots, etc. will be doing things differently so that social distancing can be observed as best as possible.

You won’t be seeing as many people on an airplane as you would have before COVID

Most experts say that we will see international flights resume one day in 2021. This is great news for people who have had all of their international travel plans canceled for almost a year and for the flight industry that has taken a huge hit as a result of all of the restrictions. However, even when international flights do resume, they will not be what we are used to.

The pandemic is still an issue, so we should expect there to not be as many people on a flight as there was before the pandemic hit the world. Airlines will likely not allow passengers to sit directly next to each other or mandate that there be an empty seat between each person. This caution will hopefully get the travel industry back up and running while still keeping all travelers safe and slowing the spread of the virus.

Expect for it to take longer to get through security and passport lines

If you have ever traveled before, then you know that getting through security and passport control already takes forever and is a nightmare to get through. Unfortunately, to help slow the spread of the virus, these lines are going to get even longer. In order to social distance and keep all checkpoints cleaned and sanitized, the lines and checkpoints are going to get longer than ever. All airports will work to make the process as fast and smooth as possible, but it is important to get to the airport ahead of time so you can get through the lines and make it to your flight on time.