Traveling Safely During Covid-19
I know it. You feel like you’ve been inside your home FOREVER. You’ve pretty much finished Netflix, you’ve Marie Kondo-ed your entire place, and your cat has been trying to kick you out. You see the warm, sunny day outside your window, and it feels like such a waste to be stuck inside when you aren’t working. If only you could go on vacation! But you know, this whole Covid-19 situation is really putting a damper on everything. You wonder, “Is there a safe way to travel during Covid?” Well, if you go about it responsibly, and follow some precautions, you can make some safe travel plans a reality.
8 STEPS TO TRAVELING SAFELY DURING COVID
#1 – FIRST, DON’T BE THAT PERSON
Don’t be the person that unknowingly gets the disease and spreads it around to towns that have otherwise kept their infection rate down. If you’re planning on traveling out of your city, self-isolate for the 1 – 2 weeks prior (2 weeks ideally) to make sure you don’t contract the virus. Or get tested for the virus before your departure. That way you know that you’ve done your socially conscious part to protect this new town you’re traveling to. And upon your return, nice and fresh from your escape, do what you can to self-isolate again for the same amount of time, or get tested again, to prevent any spread to your home town if you happened to pick up Covid along the way.
#2 – GETTING THERE
Time to take advantage of those low gas prices. Yes, the way the air is circulated on a plane makes flying itself relatively safe in regards to the airborne spread of infection. But it’s the being in close proximity to others at the airport going through security and at the gate that is not ideal. So driving it is! Your best option is to pick somewhere that is only a few hours drive away. You’ll want to really limit the amount of food stops and refueling that happen between point A and your final destination. At each point that you come in contact with the public is another place to possibly get infected. So pack your own snacks, and bring plenty of disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer to wipe down any gas pumps you touch, and clean your hands after.
#3 – CHECK THE RESTRICTIONS OF THE PLACE THAT YOU’RE GOING
Did you know that some states such as Idaho, Connecticut, Kansas and New York, have 14 day quarantine restrictions for those entering their state? And hotels and vacation rentals in some states aren’t open to anyone but essential workers. Some national parks aren’t even opened yet. Every state has different rules, so make sure that you check to see what is open, and definitely make reservations for every aspect of your trip that you can.
#4 – ISOLATE ELSEWHERE
I know you’re craving being social, but with infections still on the rise in the US as they are, it is still recommended to spend as little time in public as possible. And there are lots of options to do this. Renting a vacation home, a houseboat, a camper, or just straight up camping will get you a much needed change of scenery, with very little interaction with strangers, if any. Check out the extra safety precautions that the owners have implemented, including advanced cleaning, contactless check in, and having at least a 24 hour window between bookings.
But you REEEEEEEEEALLY want to go to a hotel? Many have re-opened to travelers, and have also put similar security measures in place. Some are even going a step beyond and offering room isolation perks, like the Oxford Hotel in Denver is doing with a whiskey bar cart that will stop at your room and live music performs for a bit on each floor. Do your research on what hotels are doing it best. Spend as little time in any indoor common area as possible, order in some room service, and just appreciate not being home.
#5 – DO IT OUTSIDE
When it comes to any activity that you’re planning to take part in, do it outside.
Go enjoy nature. Go for a hike, or a stroll through a park. Walk along the streets to take in the architecture. Go to a lake, or a beach, or a pool. Rent a boat or kayak or paddleboard. As long as you’re doing these things and social distancing, the chances of getting infected are very low. (**links to articles involving the safety of outdoor & heavily ventilated areas below.)
The same goes for if you decide to “dine-in” at a restaurant. Opt for al fresco. Though it is safer to just get your meal to go, if you’re dining out on their patio with just your family/travel companions, and the restaurant is doing a good job at seating tables a good distance apart from each other, and the staff are wearing masks, you’ll probably be safe.
#6 – AVOID CROWDS
Yes, even if it’s outdoors. I know to most people, avoiding crowds during a pandemic sounds pretty self-explanatory. But I have seen pictures of parties and rallies and packed beaches that make me cringe. To be fair, I will assume that these attendees go with the best intentions, and start off trying to keep that 6’ between each other. But then the crowd shifts. Alcohol gets added. People start to forget. Add some loud music and lots of groups having conversations at once, and people start getting closer to each other, trying to shout so the others can hear them, spraying unintended aerosol all over them. So if it’s crowded, just don’t go. It’s like what parents tell their newly driving 16 year-olds, “It’s not you that I’m worried about honey, it’s those other careless drivers on the road that I worry about”.
#7 – JUST WEAR THE DAMN MASK
I’m not going to get into discussing the state of mind that makes some individuals think that wearing a mask is JUST SO HARD. But it’s not. If you are going into an indoor public space, or will be outside but can’t keep a 6’ distance from others, put on the mask. If both people in a 2-person interaction are wearing masks, the likelihood of either person infecting the other is greatly reduced. I know it’s a little uncomfortable, but Hey! You got out of the house! (or apartment or condo)! Be happy already! And while you’re at it, make sure to wash those hands often, and keep that hand sanitizer flowing.
#8 – IF YOU’RE FEELING ILL, JUST STAY HOME
I know I know, you planned for weeks for this little vacation! The anticipation of it has given new meaning to your life! But if you aren’t feeling well, just stay home. We now know, months in, that the symptoms of this virus can take all kinds of forms – everything from coughing, having trouble breathing, and high fever, to stomach flu symptoms, or those of the common cold. It effects everyone differently, so what might give you an annoying cough could put someone else you come in contact with in the hospital. Be kind. Love your neighbor. And be safe out there.
Reference links
**https://www.forbes.com/sites/jvchamary/2020/06/30/face-mask-outdoors-coronavirus/#572344501822
**https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/03/well/live/coronavirus-spread-outdoors-party.html
**https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/us/coronavirus-what-to-do-outside.html
