We Out... Why We Left During a Pandemic
According to the Pew Research Center, one in five Americans have relocated due to the pandemic or know someone who has.
For us we decided to leave the U.S. to get away from a few things.
The pandemic has not only taken lives, but has also left behind chaos.
We are in a pandemic of health, but also for humanity, not to mention there are natural disasters flying at us left and right.
I was sick of it, so I packed up my family and we left.
For those that think we’re crazy to fly away during these times, I understand your concern. But allow me to give you some perspective. From my personal experience, I have found that there has actually been more people in the grocery store than the airport and that doesn’t keep me from getting my groceries.
COVID-19 is going to be part of the travel experience for a long while, so you can choose to travel with precautions or never travel again. Even if the numbers decline, safety precautions are going to stay in place for a long time.
Ok back to the story…
We were tested for COVID prior to our departure, braved the airplane and headed to Aruba, also known as one happy island and it couldn’t be more true. We chose Aruba based on their readiness and preparedness for the pandemic and they seem to have gotten some things right. At the time of our departure the number of active cases in Aruba was 8, 122 total cases and 3 deaths in correlation to coronavirus. In contrast at the time, California had a total of 493,558 confirmed cases and 9,005 reported deaths.
In order to arrive in Aruba, there were several safety measures we had to take. Firstly, I asked the opinion of our family doctor. After weighing the pros and cons of traveling on an airplane, we got the blessing to safely travel to Aruba and the decision was made.
The health and travel guidelines for traveling to each country differ. For Aruba they were very clear and straightforward and in order to enter the country you have to follow them.
Their health information and statistics are updated daily.
Getting Here
In order to enter Aruba you have to do the following:
(i) providing basic traveler information
(ii) submit a personal health assessment
(iii) upload a negative COVID-19 test result
(iv) purchase Aruba Visitors Insurance
(v) declare one’s consent to Aruba’s health protocols and procedures
All of this information is to be submitted within 72 and 4 hours prior to travel to Aruba. This includes responding to questions related to one’s state of health including questions about any prior COVID-19 diagnosis, quarantine or contact with persons in quarantine, symptoms typical to COVID-19, contact with COVID-19 infected persons, etc.
After we uploaded this information we received permission from the Aruban government to enter the country. These documents were checked on our connecting flight to Aruba and again once we arrived.
The Test
In regards to the Negative Molecular COVID-19 test required
There are three possible test procedure options are available depending on your place of residence:
Option 1: Take a test prior to arrival
Option 2: Only take a test upon arrival in Aruba (no other test results uploaded prior to travel)
Option 3: Dual testing process - Testing prior to travel and a mandatory Molecular PCR test at the airport in Aruba
IMPORTANT: Option 2 is not available to residents of the following high-risk US States:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
As you can see California is highlighted as a high risk state, further supporting our decision to leave.
On the Island
Due to the level of safety precautions, amount of open air and the limited amount of people on the island this was the decision we made for our family. And it was a great one.
Upon arrival we were notified the hotel was only 30% occupied, a far cry from a normal August on the island. Once here we have had to wear our masks in every public place, our temperature is taken in every establishment entered, whether it be the grocery store or a restaurant. Kids are not allowed in any store if they are too young to wear a mask. The curfew is 11pm for all restaurants and 12am for the island, including the casinos.
No one is allowed to sit at the bar and all lounges and clubs are closed. At restaurants only 4 in a party can sit together and there should be no gatherings larger than 4 anywhere at anytime.
Home Sweet Home
Our time here as been so sweet and a much needed break from the chaos back home. Now we will return back home to active wildfires, unrest in our streets, unarmed black men and women still being wrongfully gunned down and an ugly political campaign.
I think one thing we have learned in 2020 is to choose happiness and do what is best for you and your family because tomorrow isn’t promised. 2020 has left a lot of people feeling broken and defeated. We all need to find pieces of joy wherever and however we can during these times. Our joy was in Aruba.
Bon Dia.
Thoughts, feelings ? How do you feel about traveling ? Where have you been ? Where would you go?
Love ya Mean It,
