Tips to Travel Safely during Coronavirus

Precautions when Traveling during Coronavirus Outbreak

       

     In 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has redefined holiday travel. People were forced to reconsider where to go, how to get there, and what safety precautions they needed to take.

Even though globetrotting might not be in the cards this summer, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the holidays while protecting yourself from the coronavirus.

What can tourists do to reduce their risk of contracting the coronavirus? Check out these safety tips for flying, choosing a hotel or destination, low-risk activities, and how to protect yourself from COVID-19.

Is it Safe to Travel?

It depends on where you are planning to go. If they are in the middle of the first or second wave, then no! If they seem to have control, maybe.

The travel & leisure industry is brought to its knees. They need your support and your money. The more you can travel as soon as it's safe, the more choices you'll have in the future.

Before you leave home, make sure you understand the rules for your destination. Is it open? What's allowed & what's not allowed? Do you need to quarantine when you come back? Are masks necessary & if so where?

Considerations for Types of Travel

Car travel

Stopping along the way to gas, eat, or bathroom can bring you and your travel companions in close contact with other people, and frequently touched surfaces. Here are things to consider before you leave:

- Make sure to pack cloth masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes in easy reach so you can use them during your trip as needed.

- Stop as little as possible, but stop driving if you get sleepy.

- If you choose to pick up your food on the street, choose a restaurant that offers drive-thru or curbside service.

- Prepare food and water to take with you on the journey.

- Consider bringing in non-perishable goods to help you out, if access to restaurants and grocery stores is limited.

- When you need to fill up with gas, use a disinfectant wipe on the handle or button before you touch it.

- After refueling, please use hand sanitizer. And when you arrive at your destination, use soap and water to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.

Bus or train travel

Traveling on buses and trains for long periods of time can involve sitting or standing within 6 feet of other people, which can increase your risk of getting COVID-19. If you choose to travel by bus or train, learn what you can do to protect yourself on public transit.

Air travel

Air travel requires time in security lines and airport terminals, which can put you in close contact with other people and high-touch surfaces. Most viruses and other germs don't spread easily on flights because the air circulates and is filtered on the plane. However, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and sitting within 6 feet of other people, sometimes even for hours, can increase your risk of catching COVID-19.

The CDC and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have issued guidelines to help airlines prevent the spread of the coronavirus. As a result, most major airlines in the US require that crew and passengers wear cloth face coverings.

To see what certain airports and airlines are doing to protect passengers, check their websites.

The Transportation Security Administration has stepped up cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces at checkpoints.

If you haven't flown since the pandemic started, you'll notice some changes:

1. TSA personnel change gloves after each pat-down.

2. TSA personnel wear masks and gloves, and practice social distancing.

3. Plastic shields at the podium for document inspection, bag search and drop off locations.

Also consider how you get to and from the airport, since public transportation and ridesharing can increase your chances of exposure to the virus.

RV trip

You'll have to stop less frequently for food or bathroom breaks, but RV trips usually mean spending the night in the park, and getting gas and supplies in another public place.

These stops can bring you and the people who are in the RV in close touch.

Wash your hands often, and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Carry hand sanitizer with you all the time when a sink and soap are not available. If you can get hold of some disinfectant wipes, bring some with you for emergencies.

Entry Rules And Limits Will Likely Change

This is the biggest challenge of international travel at the moment, all the entry rules have changed due to the pandemic. You should check the entry rules of your destination before traveling, even destinations where you are sure you can travel without a visa.

IATA has produced a special COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map. You can check up-to-date country requirements at iatatravelcenter.com.

Double check before your flight departs, as regulations change frequently, to avoid any unpleasant surprises at the airport or border.

Your government's hands may be tied when it comes to getting you and other stranded travelers back home. And depending on where you're returning from, your government may ask you to quarantine on arrival – perhaps at a state-run accommodation facility, and possibly at your own expense.

Check Travel Restrictions 

State, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place, including testing requirements, stay-at-home orders, and quarantine on arrival requirements.

For up-to-date information and travel guides, check with state and local health departments where you are, along your route, and where you're going.

Be prepared to be flexible during your trip, as limitations and policies may change during your trip. Follow all state, local and territory travel restrictions. If traveling by air, check to see if your airline requires health information, testing, or other documents.

Local policy at your destination may require you to undergo a COVID-19 test. If you test positive on arrival, you may be required to self-isolate for a period of time.

Tips for Planning Holiday Travels

Health and government officials are asking people to avoid non-essential travel during the holidays, but for many people that's not an option.

If you find yourself traveling during your vacation, there are steps you can take to keep yourself safe:

1. Don't buy flights with layovers – the CDC has determined that these flights carry a higher risk than non-stop flights.

2. Do not travel if you are sick or have been around someone who has contracted COVID in the past two weeks. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time, or use hand sanitizer.

3. Avoid touching your face

4. Maintain small gatherings and practice social distancing

5. Wear a mask and keep it on all the time

6. If you're driving, try to limit stops along the way for refueling, food, or bathrooms

Summary

For any trip, follow these steps and make sure you're not violating any safety guidelines. If you feel unwell, seek medical attention immediately, and keep yourself away from other people.

Keep in mind that while you see everyone as a threat, you also have the potential to qualify. Even if you don't have any associated symptoms, you are still at risk and can potentially be a carrier and a threat to others around you.