Planning a Trip in 2021? Be Prepared for a Different Travel Experience
AAA advises working with a trusted travel advisor, and keep an eye out for “Diamonds”

More than one year after the COVID-19 pandemic upended everyone’s travel plans, many Americans are eagerly awaiting their next chance to get out once again and explore. AAA Travel experts advise that while traveling in 2021 will be just as rewarding as years past, many of the normal protocols will be different.

“As vaccines are distributed and international destinations begin to open, our customers are already coming to us with questions about their travel options this year,” says Bevi Powell, senior vice president, AAA East Central. “For those who are getting ready to dust off their passports and get back to exploring, working with a AAA Travel Advisor will be crucial to help you navigate the continuing changes with traveling.”

What Travelers Can Expect

• Masks – Face coverings are required on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Outside of these transportation requirements, states – and some establishments – have mandates and/or restrictions on where and when masks must be worn.
• Auto – Road trips to domestic destinations continue to be the preferred way for many to travel, but even these trips require additional planning and preparation. Those who make the decision to travel by car can refer to AAA’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map and TripTik.AAA.com for the latest state and local travel restrictions, and to identify which rest stops, gas stations, restaurants and hotels are open along their route.
• If renting a car, ask what has been done to clean the vehicle. Hertz, for example, has introduced Hertz Gold Standard Clean, an enhanced vehicle disinfectant and sanitization process.
• Hotels – Prior to any hotel stay, call ahead to ensure your hotel is open and ask what precautions they are taking to protect guests.
• Air – AAA cautions air travelers that in-flight amenities, including food and beverage services, may be limited or unavailable. Some airlines continue to limit flight capacities or block middle seats to allow for social distancing. Due to COVID-19, TSA is allowing one oversized liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags, rather than limiting those to 3.4 ounces. Masks are also required at airports and on planes.
• International Air Travel – All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID‑19 before they board a flight to the United States. Travelers who don’t provide this to their airline will be denied boarding. There are no test requirements for domestic travel at this time.
• Cruise – Even with the CDC’s no-sail order lifted, many cruise lines have voluntarily extended their suspension of sailing operations further into 2021. Anyone considering a future cruise vacation should talk to the cruise line or a travel advisor about the ship’s cancelation policy and to understand what you can expect on a cruise when they start sailing again.

Travel advisors are more important than ever during a pandemic. They serve as your advocate before, during and after a trip, and can answer questions related to:

• travel insurance options,
• what destinations and attractions are open both domestically and internationally,
• destination-specific testing and quarantine requirements,
• what to do if you need to make last-minute changes to a trip, and much more.

Diamonds are a Traveler’s Best Friend
Travelers have become used to relying on AAA Hotel and Restaurant Inspections and the Diamond Designation Program. All featured hotels and restaurants have earned a AAA Diamond designation by going through rigorous inspections conducted by AAA’s team of professional inspectors, based on the latest industry trends and travelers’ expectations. Hotels and restaurants must meet AAA’s high standards of cleanliness, comfort and hospitality to be part of the esteemed AAA Diamond Program, then they are assigned a designation of either Approved, Three Diamond, Four Diamond or Five Diamond.

In the upper echelon of those AAA Diamond hotels and restaurants are just 182 Five Diamonds (119 hotels and 63 restaurants) and 2,354 Four Diamonds (1,731 hotels and 623 restaurants). Out of 53,000 AAA Diamond designated hotels and restaurants across North America, only 0.3% have earned the coveted Five Diamond designation and 4.4% have achieved Four Diamond status.

While inspections were on hold for most of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all hotels and restaurants that continue to hold their AAA Diamond Designation can be found at AAA.com/Diamonds. In addition, travelers have a new resource available in the AAA Digital TourBook guides. These new additions are available for destinations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean at TourBook.AAA.com. Available on smartphone, tablet or desktop, the new interactive guides feature detailed destination information, must-see attractions, sample itineraries and more.

Travel Restrictions Remain in Place—Plan Ahead
The CDC continues to urge Americans to delay traveling, warning that doing so increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. For those who choose to travel, current guidelines and requirements include the following:

• Travel Restrictions – State and local governments may have travel restrictions in place, including testing requirements, stay-at-home orders and quarantine requirements upon arrival. Check the state and local health department where you are, along your route, and where you are going. Prepare to be flexible, as restrictions and policies may change during your trip.
• COVID-19 Vaccines – If you are eligible, consider getting vaccinated for COVID-19. The CDC says to wait two weeks after getting your second dose to travel for your body to build protection after vaccination. Even if you’ve been vaccinated, continue to follow all official travel requirements and guidelines.
• Testing – The CDC recommends taking a viral COVID-19 test 1 to 3 days before your trip. Do not travel if you test positive. Keep a copy of your negative test results with you during your trip and make plans to get tested again with a viral test 3 to 5 days after you return. Self-quarantine for a full seven days after trip, even if your test is negative. If you don’t get tested, the CDC advises staying home and self-quarantining for 10 days.

To find a travel advisor or for more information, visit AAA.com/Travel.

(Wampum, Pa.) Pa State Police in New Castle are reporting that a two vehicle accident happened on Route 18 near the intersection of Darlington Road in Wampum Boro at 7:00 AM Monday morning.

Troopers say that 29 year-old Travis Laughrey of Bessemser was traveling south on Route 18 in his 2007 Ford Edge when he struck a Jeep Liberty from behind that was stopped in the southbound lane. The Jeep that Laughrey hit drove away without providing any information about the crash. Laughrey’s car sustained moderate damage to the front end according to Troopers and had to be towed from the scene.
Laughrey is being charged by State Police with Following too closely to another vehicle.

(Aliquippa, Pa.) A memorial service was held at noon Monday, March 15, 2021, in remembrance of slain Aliquippa Police Officer James Naim.  He was on patrol in Linmar near a police sub station on the evening March 15, 2001 when someone approached him and shot him in the head four times from behind. The 20 year anniversary of his death  brought law enforcement from  the area to the  Aliquippa  Police Department.  The memorial service was conducted by Police Chaplain Reverend Stephen McKeown.

Malkin records 1,100th NHL point, leads Pens to win
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeni Malkin scored on a power play for his 1,100th career point and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Boston Bruins 4-1. Malkin is the third Russian-born player to reach 1,100 points in the NHL, joining Alex Ovechkin and Sergei Fedorov. Malkin has eight goals this season and also had an assist while extending his points streak to eight games. Tristan Jarry made a season-high 42 saves for Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby scored his 11th goal of the season and had two assists, and Jake Guentzel also scored his 11th — including four in the past four games. Evan Rodrigues also scored for the Penguins.

(Big Beaver, Pa.) The Beaver Falls Police Department is reporting that they have arrested Eder Gomez Ernesto Ramos, 23-years old, from Aliquippa, previously known to reside in Mexico and Texas, as part of the ongoing investigation being conducted by the City of Beaver Falls Police, Beaver County Detectives Office and the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office,  into the  fire and homicide that occurred on Shenango Road on Sunday morning, March 14, 2021.

Fireman were called to the home at 1095 Shenango Road in Big Beaver Borough at 6:07 AM Sunday morning. While fireman were extinguishing the blaze they found the body of 26 year-old Rolando Contreras.  Beaver County Coroner David Gabauer determined Contreras died from gun shot wounds to the head, chest, and pelvis.

Ramos is currently in the Beaver County Jail on charges of arson, endangering persons, aggravated arson,  abuse of a corpse, criminal conspiracy, and tampering with physical evidence.

Police have also issued warrants for 43 year-old Ana Cecilia Mireles of Big Beaver Borough, Mireles is known to have also resided in Mexico and Texas, and 32 year-old Raul Manuel Rivera-Arroyo also of Big Beaver, known to have previously resided in Louisiana both are being charged with arson, endangering persons, aggravated arson,  abuse of a corpse, criminal conspiracy, and tampering with physical evidence.

Police believe that both Mireles and Rivera-Arroyo have fled the area. They are both considered to be armed and dangerous.

Beaver Falls Police Chief David Johnson said in the statement that the incident is being investigated as a homicide.  Police are asking anyone with information to the incident or anyone who may have been a witness to activity at 1095 Shenango Road between the hours of 3 AM and 6 AM to contact the City of Beaver Falls Police Department or the Beaver County Detectives Bureau at 724-846-7000 or 724-775-0880.

2 charged in assault of Capitol officer who died after riot
By MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials have arrested and charged two men with assaulting U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick with bear spray during the Jan. 6 riot, but they do not know yet whether it caused the officer’s death. Thirty-nine-year-old George Tanios, of Morgantown, West Virginia, and 32-year-old Julian Khater, of Pennsylvania, were arrested Sunday. They were expected to appear in federal court Monday. The idea that Sicknick died after being sprayed by a chemical irritant has emerged in recent weeks as a new theory in the case. Investigators initially believed that Sicknick was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher.