Catching Covid during trip

Hi, Susan. I am glad that you are recovered and able to go on your trip. Each country has its own expectations of how someone should behave after getting a positive covid test and you did not mention where you are traveling. Some merely ask that you mask up and reduce contact with others while others expect strict self-isolation for several days. I think your first step is going to need to be to do a little research on the what the expectations are in the countries you will be visiting.

Even countries with "Covid Hotels", still allow people to find their own accommodation. Reports on this forum are that people usually start with the hotel they are currently staying in to see if the hotel can provide an extended stay option. Often this is possible. Others have reported that they needed to move and find a hotel on their own.

I am assuming that you will have some sort of travel insurance to cover trip interruption costs. These coverages will require an official documented positive test for a claim. Some have discovered that these are not easy to get in more rural locations and often clinics are not thrilled to have positive individuals come in. I would bring a proctored covid test kit with me to make sure that I could get that official documented test no matter where I was.

It can be important to make sure that you have extra of any medication that you usually take in case you are gone longer than you anticipated. Others have reported that having a thermometer and OTC drugs for cold/flu symptoms can be helpful.

I think you would be wise to have a certificate of recovery from your physician to take on your trip, "just in case."

The decision whether to travel or not is a deeply personal decision. I have been impressed with the positive attitudes expressed by so many forum members who have reported on their positive tests while traveling and their experiences afterwards. Almost of all of them have stated that they are ready to travel again.

I do encourage you to do some research on what each country requires. I usually put something like "What if I test positive for covid in France" in the search engine and find information that way. The US embassy will have info and I find the UK website is easy to read and understand as well.

Thank you Carol. Good information! We will plan to do what you have suggested. In the past I thought about the negative test prior to flying home and the possible need to extend the trip if we were positive, but I never really thought about getting Covid mid trip. We do have insurance, but never thought of the "trip interruption" as a possible coverage for a positive test and the need to change our trip.

We fly to Germany and will will have a car, so I'm happy about that. We will do a circle from Munich into Austria, Switzerland, France and back to Frankfurt. So, lots of countries but just dipping into them.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Here is country by country information on what isolation is required. All this information is a direct quote foreign travel advice/gov.uk and is subject to change at any time. If you test positive, be sure to check on current requirements to confirm.
Testing positive for COVID-19 in Germany
Anyone testing positive with a self-test is entitled to take a follow-up certified rapid antigen test or PCR test. Those testing positive with a certified rapid antigen test or PCR test are required to self-isolate. Mandatory self-isolation ceases after 5 days. The German authorities recommend staying in self-isolation until you test negative with a rapid-antigen test. The Federal Health Ministry provides guidance on self-isolation.

The local health office (Gesundheitsamt) is responsible for monitoring self-isolation and will provide further guidance in individual cases. You can find your local health office by postcode.

Testing positive for COVID-19 in Austria
If you get a positive PCR test result, you will have to self-isolate immediately. You should contact the health authorities for further instructions by calling 1450.

If you test positive with a lateral flow test, you will be treated as a “suspected case” and must self-isolate immediately, following the instructions of the health authorities. A lateral flow test will usually be followed up with a PCR test. If the PCR test is negative, you can leave self-isolation.

Options for self-isolation vary by region. In Vienna, a free hotel is available for visitors who test positive and have nowhere else to self-isolate.

Rules for ending self-isolation after a confirmed infection vary by region and may require a negative PCR test. They should be communicated to you as part of the official order to self-isolate (“Absonderungsbescheid”).

Testing positive for Covid in Switzerland
COVID-19 restrictions
Switzerland has lifted all Covid-19 pandemic restrictions – there are no social distancing or mask wearing measures in place. There is no mandatory isolation requirement if you test positive for Covid19. Local restrictions or mandatory mask wearing and proof of vaccination may be in place in hospitals or care homes.

However, you should follow the basic principles on hygiene to protect yourself and others. If you feel unwell, it is advised to stay at home. If you have Covid-19 symptoms, it may be a good idea to get tested, especially if you are at high risk. The costs of the test are covered by the Swiss government.

Testing positive for Covid in France
If you test positive for COVID-19 in France and you’re fully vaccinated (including a booster) or if you’ve had COVID-19 in the last 4 months, you must self-isolate for 7 days from the day on which you first develop symptoms, or 7 days from the date of the positive test result. Self-isolation can be reduced to 5 days if you take a negative PCR or antigen test (supervised, not self-administered) on day 5 and you have not displayed any symptoms over the previous 48 hours. These isolation rules also apply to children under the age of 12, regardless of their vaccination status.

Wow!! Thank you so much for the information Carol!! I really appreciate it!

Our family has already had Covid once or twice. When we left London 4 weeks ago, we all tested negative for Covid, but I had a slight cough and sore throat. We'd been on a 7 day cruise around the Eastern Med and the Adriatic Sea.

Upon my return home, the hacking cough and sore throat got worse. However I never had a loss of taste like so many Covid patients. I did get laryngitis and have not been able to speak for the last 3 weeks. I could have just as easily just had influenza.

If you're traveling in a rental car and staying out in the countryside, you can minimize your chances of getting any communicable disease by keeping your distance from others. Just go and enjoy your time and don't worry about Covid.

Had I tested positive, I would have sent my wife and granddaughter on home and I would have quietly spent a week or so in a hotel.

Thanks for the feedback!

My daughter and I never lost our sense of smell or taste with our Covid infections. I think that is common with this latest strain. We just had fever, coughing and cold symptoms. Thankfully it seems more mild than in the past!

If I caught COVID during my trip? Same as if I caught anything else. I'd stay home (or in this case a hotel) until I was better. Fortunately, I believe most places have to accept schedule changes/cancellations if you test positive for COVID. That hasn't been the case with most illnesses.

I was detailed to CDC during H1N1. I believe, "Stay home if you're sick" is great advice. Second only to, "wash your hands often."

I'm learning to value "cancelation or change options" when booking transportation or lodging. These days, I'll pay the extra 6-12 euro to have flexibility should I need it. Some bookings (e.g. rental car) don't make you pay extra for an option to change or cancel.

Brad