Photos That Capture What Travel Was Like in 2020

A Year Unlike Any Other

Truly this was an unprecedented year, and travel was not immune to this horrible virus. From complete shutdowns to new rules and regulations, this year really put the whole travel industry to the test.

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A Seemingly Normal Beginning

Winter vacations kicked off the 2020 travel season like normal with people hitting the slopes or opting for warmer weather, as seen pictured here with the typical long wait at the Cancun Airport. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) would announce on January 9 that there is a new virus spreading through Wuhan, China with 59 cases thus far.

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Airports Begin Screening for COVID-19

On January 20, JFK International, San Francisco International and LAX begin screening passengers – these airports were chosen because of how many passengers travel from Wuhan to the US through them. By the summer, thermal screening had emerged at many airports around the world.

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Global Air Travel Becomes Restricted

On January 31 WHO issues a Global Health Emergency as cases begin spreading more rapidly through Germany, Japan, U.S., Taiwan and Vietnam. The U.S. follows suit and declares a Public Health Emergency three days later. On February 2, the U.S. imposes an at-home quarantine for anyone who arrives from the Hubei province in China; Australia, Germany, Italy and New Zealand also enforce similar rules.

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Stranded Cruise Ships

On March 6, the first cruise ship, the Grand Princess, is stranded off California’s coast after 21 passengers test positive for COVID-19. As the cruise industry came to a standstill, many companies had to sell off their cruise ships to scrap yards.

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Travel Bans Enforced

Early March saw the spread of COVID-19 upgraded to pandemic status by WHO, and President Trump declared the virus a National Emergency. Simultaneously a travel ban is imposed for non-U.S. citizens traveling from Europe. This travel ban excluded people traveling from the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

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Everything Coming To a Standstill

Many U.S. states, beginning with California on March 19, start issuing statewide stay-at-home orders. Theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Universal Orlando close their doors. Abroad, popular tourist destinations are completely empty.

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Travel Agents Really Begin To Shine

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People Find New Ways To ‘Travel’

Virtual travel takes off. As people are beginning to get cabin fever at home, they turn to the internet to take a virtual trip to a favorite destination or a place they’ve always dreamed of going.

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Precautions Are Taken as Places Begin Reopening

Georgia becomes the first U.S. state to reopen in April. The use of masks and social distancing is strongly encouraged. Disney World reopens in the summer with new guidelines, and cast members look a bit different, as seen in the picture above.

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A Focus on Domestic Travel

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Airlines and Airports Look Very Different

With fewer people traveling, fewer flights are occurring and causing massive layoffs. Stores within airports remain closed even as passengers begin to increase. For those who did travel during this time, they had never seen the airport so empty.

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Airports Security Lines Fluctuate

Fewer people traveled this summer, but even still, TSA kept busy. At times the airport security lines were a breeze to get through, particularly if you were flying internationally to the recently re-opened destinations. But because of the new protocols in place, security lines for domestic flights were sometimes even longer.

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Social Distancing Is Encouraged Everywhere

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The Rise of Plexiglass

As hotels reopen and more travelers begin going through airports, plexiglass is installed in many areas to keep workers safe.

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Hand Sanitizer Is Seemingly Everywhere

Hand sanitizer stations are erected everywhere throughout airports, by elevators and in hotels. TSA even relaxes their rules about having sanitizer in carry-on luggage.

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Reduction in Visitors

To increase social distancing, many restaurants take away tables or place signs on tables that prevent customers from sitting too close to one another. Hotels take away pool deck chairs for the same reason. Markers are added to sidewalks to show how far patrons should stand apart at popular destinations like in Disney Springs. Hotels begin operating at a lower capacity to ensure guests’ safety.

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Middle Seat Blocking

Airlines decide to block middle seats, which leads to views like this of several empty seats on airplanes.

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Wearing Face Masks

Those who did travel on planes were required to wear face masks, which led to lots of face mask selfies.

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Improper Use of Face Masks

Of course, not everyone followed the face mask rules. Naughty passengers were seen throughout the year breaking this rule.

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Theme Parks Begin Reopening, But Look Very Different

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Temperature Screening Children

The travel experience was also different for kids.

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Plastic Coverings

Remotes and other items around hotels were covered in plastic, ensuring the room was extra clean.

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Islands Adapt

Islands around the world are heavily dependent on tourism for their economy. They had to adjust and set new health and safety protocols. Pictured here is breakfast being delivered by canoe at St. Regis Bora Bora.

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Airplanes Install HEPA Filters

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Fewer Crowds at Resorts

All-inclusive resorts were only allowed a certain capacity, which led to very few crowds at the pools and restaurants within the resorts.

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Hotels Encourage Work From Paradise Packages

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COVID-19 Test Requirements

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Traveling Into 2021

Most globe trotters wish they could wake up on January 1, 2021, to no travel restrictions. The truth is, however, the early months of 2021 won’t look too different from those in 2020. Slowly but surely, though, travel will make its full comeback.

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30/30 SLIDES

Tags: Capture, Photos, travel

Photos That Capture What Travel Was Like in 2020

A Year Unlike Any Other

A Seemingly Normal Beginning

Airports Begin Screening for COVID-19

Global Air Travel Becomes Restricted

Stranded Cruise Ships

Travel Bans Enforced

Everything Coming To a Standstill

Travel Agents Really Begin To Shine

People Find New Ways To ‘Travel’

Precautions Are Taken as Places Begin Reopening

A Focus on Domestic Travel

Airlines and Airports Look Very Different

Airports Security Lines Fluctuate

Social Distancing Is Encouraged Everywhere

The Rise of Plexiglass

Hand Sanitizer Is Seemingly Everywhere

Reduction in Visitors

Middle Seat Blocking

Wearing Face Masks

Improper Use of Face Masks

Theme Parks Begin Reopening, But Look Very Different

Temperature Screening Children

Plastic Coverings

Islands Adapt

Airplanes Install HEPA Filters

Fewer Crowds at Resorts

Hotels Encourage Work From Paradise Packages

COVID-19 Test Requirements

Traveling Into 2021

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A Year Unlike Any Other

A Seemingly Normal Beginning

Airports Begin Screening for COVID-19

Global Air Travel Becomes Restricted

Stranded Cruise Ships

Travel Bans Enforced

Everything Coming To a Standstill

Travel Agents Really Begin To Shine

People Find New Ways To ‘Travel’

Precautions Are Taken as Places Begin Reopening

A Focus on Domestic Travel

Airlines and Airports Look Very Different

Airports Security Lines Fluctuate

Social Distancing Is Encouraged Everywhere

The Rise of Plexiglass

Hand Sanitizer Is Seemingly Everywhere

Reduction in Visitors

Middle Seat Blocking

Wearing Face Masks

Improper Use of Face Masks

Theme Parks Begin Reopening, But Look Very Different

Temperature Screening Children

Plastic Coverings

Islands Adapt

Airplanes Install HEPA Filters

Fewer Crowds at Resorts

Hotels Encourage Work From Paradise Packages

COVID-19 Test Requirements

Traveling Into 2021

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