Following last month's news concerning quarantine-free Delta flights between Atlanta and Rome, the airline just announced that it will launch a similar program in conjunction with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines on flights between the Georgia city and Amsterdam.
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Specifically, starting December 15, travelers on certain flights may be able to skip the Netherlands' 10-day quarantine requirement if testing negative on a slew of COVID-19 tests before and after arrival.
"Creating COVID-free travel corridors, in addition to the multiple layers of safety and hygiene measures we have implemented through the Delta CareStandard, will provide customers – and authorities – greater confidence that they can stay healthy when flying," Steve Sear, the Delta President - International and Executive Vice President of global sales said in an official statement regarding the program. "Delta has worked with our partners and health authorities to reopen the skies safely and resume international air travel until a vaccine is in place removing the requirement of quarantine."
As of now, the program is set to run for a three-week trial period and will only really apply to those heading to the Netherlands for essential reasons (the European country still has restrictive guidelines in place). Those who do qualify will have to take a COVID-19 PCR test five days before their presumptive arrival to Amsterdam in addition to a rapid antigen test before boarding in Atlanta and a second PCR test once landing in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
"This is a very important and great step forward," Pieter Elbers, President and CEO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines said in an official statement. "Until an approved working vaccine is available worldwide, this testing program represents the first step towards the international travel industry's recovery."
Although your trip to Amsterdam may not qualify as essential yet, this is certainly a step in a positive direction. While travel opens up even more, you'll find us daydreaming about the very best things to do in Amsterdam.
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