Cleared for takeoff

Air travelers face Oct. 1 deadline to obtain new license

As the coronavirus vaccinations are being administered, more people are raring to travel after being cooped up in their homes for nearly a year.

“The vaccine is encouraging people to travel,” said Janet Papilla, vice president of Boscov’s Travel, based in Exeter Township. “People are coming in, and they want to travel. We expect a lot more domestic travel this year. There are so many places to see in the United States.”

Papilla said many customers who canceled trips are rescheduling since the vaccine came out.

Beginning Oct. 1, if you want to visit a military base, federal office building, excluding federal museums, a Real ID will be required. A Real ID, passport or passport card will be required to travel by air.

The federal Department of Homeland Security postponed the enforcement deadline from Oct. 1, 2020, to Oct. 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19 and the national emergency declaration.

PennDOT stopped issuing Real IDs in March due to the coronavirus outbreak but resumed the process in September.

PennDOT officials said the agency is ready to meet the new deadline, with 1 million residents already receiving the IDs by December.

“PennDOT is positioned to reach the target by the federal enforcement deadline regardless of any potential travel changes,” said Diego M. Sandino, PennDOT community relations coordinator.

As the coronavirus cases escalated, the state Department of Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented travel restrictions.

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health issued an order Dec. 9 requiring residents who leave the state to produce a negative COVID-19 test or isolate for 10 days after returning to the state. If isolating, residents may leave for testing and other medical services.

PennDOT anticipates 1.3 million residents will have the required Real ID by the Oct. 1 deadline.

Based on data from other states, Sandino said, PennDOT anticipates that 2.5 million Pennsylvanians will choose to get a Real ID.

Travelers can also use a passport or a passport card to travel by air domestically. Passports are still required for international travel.

Passport cards can also be used to travel by land and sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

Passports and passport cards are required to be renewed every 10 years.

Apply early

In the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, Congress in 2005 passed the Real ID act requiring states to upgrade identification requirements for domestic travel by air and entry at federal offices.

To date, the states have issued about 110 million Real IDs, representing 40% of all driver’s license and identification holders.

PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said residents are encouraged to apply for a Real ID well in advance of the Oct. 1 deadline.

“We want to do everything we can to encourage residents interested in applying for Real ID to start the process now and be aware of all of the proper documentation requirements,” Gramian said.

The law requires residents to provide a Social Security card, proof of Pennsylvania residency, and name changes if applicable, even if a resident already has a Pennsylvania driver’s license or ID card.

Accepted documents include a birth certificate with a raised seal, a naturalization certificate, a valid passport, a marriage license and a military ID.

Getting away

Papilla said customers are already traveling to the Caribbean Islands and Mexico.

The Boscov’s Travel-chartered flights from the Reading Regional Airport in Bern Township are expected to resume in the spring.

She noted some customers who canceled their flights to Orlando, Fla., when the coronavirus broke out are rescheduling for later in the year and 2022.

Papilla said the cruise line companies are in the process of preparing to resume operations. They are providing all the necessary safety precautions, including locations for travelers to isolate if necessary.

“Once they get back in business, they will be safer than ever,” she said.