How to travel internationally with small children in COVID times?
March 21, 2022 5:50 PM Subscribe
Should my family travel internationally (US to Turkey) in May so that my kids can meet/see their grandparents for the first time in three years? Both children are too young to be vaccinated. Their eldest grandparent is 82.
With COVID decreasing, my in-laws aging, and the extension on our airline tickets ending, it seems like now is as good a time as any to travel to Turkey. But international travel with small children seems daunting in the best of times, and now isn't really the best time, but there's no certainty that there will be a better time. Should we go for it?
And if we do, what are some tips and tricks you have for traveling with small children (3.5 and 1.5 years)?
Has anyone done US-->Turkey recently and can comment on the process and COVID testing?
With COVID decreasing, my in-laws aging, and the extension on our airline tickets ending, it seems like now is as good a time as any to travel to Turkey. But international travel with small children seems daunting in the best of times, and now isn't really the best time, but there's no certainty that there will be a better time. Should we go for it?
And if we do, what are some tips and tricks you have for traveling with small children (3.5 and 1.5 years)?
Has anyone done US-->Turkey recently and can comment on the process and COVID testing?
Can you? Right now, it looks like you might be able to, but the kids will have to quarantine wherever you are planning to stay. Possibly not the most fun vacation for the kids.
But more than that: Please don't bring unvaccinated children on a long-haul flight. Especially with BA.2 in full swing.
posted by yellowcandy at 8:43 PM on March 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
But more than that: Please don't bring unvaccinated children on a long-haul flight. Especially with BA.2 in full swing.
posted by yellowcandy at 8:43 PM on March 21, 2022 [1 favorite]
I took my then 2.5 year old on a transatlantic trip ( 2 connecting flights) last summer, and we’ll go again this summer. We made the calculation to go based on ability of my parents to travel (low), desire for them to see their grandchild (high) and our ability to take covid precautions to protect my parents. We needed to quarantine on arrival, and the rural location my parents live in made it possible to do that enjoyably.
We were very fortunate to be to use air miles to fly business class out, and if you can swing it, I really recommend it! The lie-flat seats, attentive service, distance from other passengers and the access to the airport lounge increased covid safety and our family’s comfort and decreased stress compared to the journey home in economy.
Two months out it feels impossible to tell what the testing situation will be; if the US still requires a test done the day before your return flight I recommend taking one of the tests like BinaxNow that you can do with a telehealth visit. Much more convenient than searching for a test at your destination.
posted by sizeable beetle at 2:51 AM on March 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
We were very fortunate to be to use air miles to fly business class out, and if you can swing it, I really recommend it! The lie-flat seats, attentive service, distance from other passengers and the access to the airport lounge increased covid safety and our family’s comfort and decreased stress compared to the journey home in economy.
Two months out it feels impossible to tell what the testing situation will be; if the US still requires a test done the day before your return flight I recommend taking one of the tests like BinaxNow that you can do with a telehealth visit. Much more convenient than searching for a test at your destination.
posted by sizeable beetle at 2:51 AM on March 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
Well, hopefully they can be vaccinated soon. But beyond that, if not now . . . when? Covid is not going away, unfortunately. Your in-laws will at some point. There are many precautions that can be taken -- vaccines, pre and post flight testing, masking, etc. that would make me feel comfortable with this trip given the circumstances.
posted by heavenknows at 3:17 AM on March 22, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by heavenknows at 3:17 AM on March 22, 2022 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Here's Turkish Airlines' page on the current rules.
In brief: if you all are vaccinated, or have a negative test result, or have proof of recent recovery from Covid, you'll be allowed in, and if each of you fulfills just one of those things, you'll also be exempt from the need to quarantine.
The exact text (bolding mine):
"Within the scope of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic measures, the following decisions regarding entry to Türkiye have been taken by the official authorities of the Republic of Türkiye, effective as of March 4, 2022.
Accordingly, passengers who meet at least one of the conditions listed below are allowed to enter Türkiye and will also be exempt from the quarantine application.
1- Passengers who have received at least two doses of the vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization or by Türkiye (one dose for Johnson & Johnson), who submit a document stating that their most recent vaccination took place at least 14 days earlier;
2- Passengers who submit a document issued by the relevant country’s official authorities stating that they have had the virus within the last 6 months. The 6-month period starts from the 28th day of the first PCR positive test result; and
3- Passengers who, before entering Türkiye, present a negative PCR test result received within the last 72 hours or a negative rapid antigen test taken within the last 48 hours.
Passengers under the age of 12 are exempted from the PCR/antigen test report and the submission of a vaccine certificate.
The requirements listed above do not apply for transfer passengers from international line to international line.
Seamen and truck drivers are exempted from SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing and the quarantine application.
It is obligatory for all passengers to wear masks at the airports and during the flights.
The vaccination certificates of Serbia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Iraq, Libya, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Egypt are accepted by the Republic of Türkiye for passengers who will enter Türkiye with a vaccination certificate."
What that says to me is this: children under 12 are exempted from the requirement to submit a test report or a vaccine certificate, but while there is no explicit mention of children having to quarantine that I can find if they test positive, it is of course true under these same rules that if you do test your child in advance and they are negative, they are exempt from quarantine.
In any case, the only quarantine source listed is this page - check the "Preventative measures for the guests section" for the details. It sounds like you'll be fine, honestly, if you just get everyone tested first.
The rules for the journey (and any you'd take on Turkish Airlines) can be found here.
Currently Turkey also has a Form for Entry to Turkey, but children under 6 don't need to fill it in.
The rules for returning to the US are here. You need to have a test done for your 3.5-year-old on the way back as well as yourselves, and you might as well do your youngest too just to remove any doubt for a confused airport staffer or customs person.
Here is the PDF text of the passenger attestation you'll need to fill in on the kids' behalf on the way home. The form says children under 2 do not need to complete Sections 1 or 2, but this is actually the whole of the form; it also says airlines "may" allow you to fly without an attestation for children this young, but why not just do it anyway to be sure?
Finally: while Turkey is more than 85% double-vaccinated overall, a rate better than the United States, being stuck abroad with your 3.5-year-old while you wait for them to test negative, even if they have no symptoms, could lead to weeks of delay and disruption. Maybe that is something you can accommodate, maybe it's something you can't.
Check to see where your in-laws are, and see what they say about the local situation too - would they worry about the kids getting sick? I'm planning a trip there this summer with confidence.
posted by mdonley at 4:06 AM on March 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
In brief: if you all are vaccinated, or have a negative test result, or have proof of recent recovery from Covid, you'll be allowed in, and if each of you fulfills just one of those things, you'll also be exempt from the need to quarantine.
The exact text (bolding mine):
"Within the scope of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic measures, the following decisions regarding entry to Türkiye have been taken by the official authorities of the Republic of Türkiye, effective as of March 4, 2022.
Accordingly, passengers who meet at least one of the conditions listed below are allowed to enter Türkiye and will also be exempt from the quarantine application.
1- Passengers who have received at least two doses of the vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization or by Türkiye (one dose for Johnson & Johnson), who submit a document stating that their most recent vaccination took place at least 14 days earlier;
2- Passengers who submit a document issued by the relevant country’s official authorities stating that they have had the virus within the last 6 months. The 6-month period starts from the 28th day of the first PCR positive test result; and
3- Passengers who, before entering Türkiye, present a negative PCR test result received within the last 72 hours or a negative rapid antigen test taken within the last 48 hours.
Passengers under the age of 12 are exempted from the PCR/antigen test report and the submission of a vaccine certificate.
The requirements listed above do not apply for transfer passengers from international line to international line.
Seamen and truck drivers are exempted from SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing and the quarantine application.
It is obligatory for all passengers to wear masks at the airports and during the flights.
The vaccination certificates of Serbia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Iraq, Libya, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Egypt are accepted by the Republic of Türkiye for passengers who will enter Türkiye with a vaccination certificate."
What that says to me is this: children under 12 are exempted from the requirement to submit a test report or a vaccine certificate, but while there is no explicit mention of children having to quarantine that I can find if they test positive, it is of course true under these same rules that if you do test your child in advance and they are negative, they are exempt from quarantine.
In any case, the only quarantine source listed is this page - check the "Preventative measures for the guests section" for the details. It sounds like you'll be fine, honestly, if you just get everyone tested first.
The rules for the journey (and any you'd take on Turkish Airlines) can be found here.
Currently Turkey also has a Form for Entry to Turkey, but children under 6 don't need to fill it in.
The rules for returning to the US are here. You need to have a test done for your 3.5-year-old on the way back as well as yourselves, and you might as well do your youngest too just to remove any doubt for a confused airport staffer or customs person.
Here is the PDF text of the passenger attestation you'll need to fill in on the kids' behalf on the way home. The form says children under 2 do not need to complete Sections 1 or 2, but this is actually the whole of the form; it also says airlines "may" allow you to fly without an attestation for children this young, but why not just do it anyway to be sure?
Finally: while Turkey is more than 85% double-vaccinated overall, a rate better than the United States, being stuck abroad with your 3.5-year-old while you wait for them to test negative, even if they have no symptoms, could lead to weeks of delay and disruption. Maybe that is something you can accommodate, maybe it's something you can't.
Check to see where your in-laws are, and see what they say about the local situation too - would they worry about the kids getting sick? I'm planning a trip there this summer with confidence.
posted by mdonley at 4:06 AM on March 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: We just did a trip to Asia with my 2 year old to see aging family in January. We all got Covid. Everyone was fine, including the 80 year old. It was omicron and manifested as a short fever.
We did quarantine from the uninfected people in a room for a week, which sucked. And we had to delay our return by 2 weeks because my toddler, who recovered the fasted, continued to test positive on antigen tests for a really long time. That sucked a bit too. But it all sucked less than being apart from family for over two years. I only regret that I didn’t do the trip a year ago as well, because the grandparents enjoyed our visit immensely and were sad about being deprived of seeing our child’s infancy.
posted by redlines at 8:46 AM on March 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
We did quarantine from the uninfected people in a room for a week, which sucked. And we had to delay our return by 2 weeks because my toddler, who recovered the fasted, continued to test positive on antigen tests for a really long time. That sucked a bit too. But it all sucked less than being apart from family for over two years. I only regret that I didn’t do the trip a year ago as well, because the grandparents enjoyed our visit immensely and were sad about being deprived of seeing our child’s infancy.
posted by redlines at 8:46 AM on March 22, 2022 [2 favorites]
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I can't help with Turkey specifically, but the thing that's holding me back from a trip to Europe to see grandparents with my under fives is not fear of infection or bad illness (we drive them to daycare in an American city, which is way more dangerous for them), but how unpleasant the travel is likely to be, and the disruptive consequences of any quarantining (either precautionary or because covid is working its way through our household) on childcare.
posted by caek at 8:17 PM on March 21, 2022 [1 favorite]