Hello New York: A short post about flying in 2021

It's been a year and 27 days since my last flight, but who's counting?

I missed flying, traveling, wandering off in new places, speaking a foreign language, eating new things, drinking a local beer, and going home with a suitcase full of surprises and memories.

But this is a post with hope and good energies since I just had my first flight since Covid19 hit reality, and I'm here to tell!

So let me give you a practical guide on how to do it. It requires careful attention to bureaucracy and wearing a mask the entire time, but hopefully, it will change soon.

Here is what you need to keep in mind when flying:

1. Stay safe. I'm fully vaccinated and I still wore a mask, tried to avoid contact, and had a hand sanitizer with me. This disease could be very dangerous and you should prioritize your health first.

2. Check for local travel restrictions. Just google the name of your destination + travel restriction, and usually, the first website will be the relevant one. Some destinations will require quarantine, some will require just a negative test, and others might restrict tourist entry completely.

3. Book direct flights and flexible tickets. Flights often get canceled nowadays so be sure to minimize the risk of losing your money. Plus, many destinations don't allow visitors from connection flights.

4. Print the paperwork. It might sound old-fashioned but it can save your flight. Print the official forms and PCR test results.

5. Don't forget to do PCR tests. Up to 72 hours before your flight.

Regarding New York specifically:

• They accept tourists but require self-quarantine of 3 days, regardless of negative test or vaccine.

• On day 4 you can get another PCR test and with the negative result, you're free.

• Honestly, the state doesn't really enforce that.

And if you want to know exactly what I had to do to fly to New York and back, here is a detailed guide to what I did:

1. Negative PCR test with check2fly in IL. You can book an appointment for 72 hours prior to your flight through the website. You can choose the slow option, which takes 14h and costs 40nis, or the fast option that takes 4h and costs 140nis. Once you have the ticket you can book your test here https://check2fly.co.il/auth

2. Print an attestation form and sign it prior to your check-in at the airport

3. Fill in the New York State Health Form (although, no one asked me for it when I entered the US) https://forms.ny.gov/s3/Welcome-to-New-York-State-Traveler-Health-Form

4. Make sure to have a negative PCR test for the flight back to Israel

5. Fill in the Israeli Health Form prior to the check-in at the airport https://govforms.gov.il/mw/forms/Quarantine@health.gov.il?displang=en

6. Once you lend in the airport in Israel, make sure to sign up for an appointment of the PCR test for free (otherwise you need to wait in a line)

7. If you're vaccinated you don't need to self-quarantine

And that is it!

So please stay safe, and hopefully, we'll go back to travel the world soon!