Nobody really knows how long it will take to get back to a “normal” travel environment, if ever. And nobody knows for sure how the travel world will evolve for early and mid-2021. So, if you’re considering a trip this spring or summer, you need to (1) keep a close eye on COVID developments and (2) remain fully flexible about arrangements.

The one requirement we know for sure is that the U.S. government requires that you wear a face mask on any kind of public transportation and in transportation terminals throughout the U.S., now and for the foreseeable future. The CDC is actually late to the party; virtually all airlines, railways, and transit systems had already implemented mask rules. The main effect of the CDC ruling is to put the force of government behind the mask requirement: It’s easier for a flight attendant to insist on compliance with a government rule than with a company policy. Many domestic and foreign destinations also require masks when in public. A mask is a low-cost, effective anti-transmission device, and you may have to wait a long time before maskless travel returns. But a question remains about whether the popular non-medical cloth masks will do or if you’ll need a more effective N95 type.

Current focus is also on pre- and post-flight testing. The CDC has said it’s considering a universal pre-flight COVID test for domestic and international travel. Most airlines are not enthusiastic. Many countries — and even a few domestic destinations — currently require pre-flight COVID-19 testing, and some require entry testing, as well.

Unfortunately, the testing situation is in something of a muddle. Currently, the most popular test is the PCR test — the one where you stick a swab up your nose. Although you see lots of different approaches, they all have two factors in common:

They’re expensive, at somewhere between $75 and $200 a pop. As far as I can tell, such a test may or may not be covered by your health insurance, depending on whether the test is an emergency, who and where administers it, and whether you need a doctor’s prescription.

Results can take up to a week to be confirmed. If you need a test result within the common requirement of 72 hours before departure, results in four or more days aren’t of much use.

So far, I haven’t seen much in the way of a concerted effort by either the government or the travel industry to organize some sort of universally accepted pre-flight testing system that’s cheap, rapid, and convenient. Currently, some big drugstore chains and some urgent care medical clinics are offering tests, either walk-in or by appointment, but they’re mostly using the expensive and slow-response PCR system. Some airports are offering tests, too, but when you arrive at an airport all ready to go somewhere is much too late for it to be useful. And you can buy do-it-yourself mail-in tests, but not every destination accepts those. You can look for some big improvements in test availability, maybe soon but not yet.

I’ve seen very little about relaxed rules for travelers who have been vaccinated. So far, only a handful of places have even taken note of vaccinations. By all means, get vaccinated as soon as you can, but don’t believe that a vaccination certificate will automatically open any doors yet. You’ll know more in a few weeks.

International travel is still fraught. Some places that previously opened a bit are now locking down again as the virus persists and infections spike. Many countries simply say a flat “no entry” to travelers from the U.S., and other may require quarantine, regardless of test and vaccination status. For now, the watchword is to avoid making any foreign travel plans you can’t cancel without incurring a stiff cancellation fee. You need not only Plan B, but also maybe Plan C too.

eperkins@mind.net