Travel Safely With These Helpful Reminders and Safety Tips

With many countries and states now entering the fifth or sixth month of lockdowns due to the novel coronavirus, it’s only natural that more people are itching to get out and about. 

If you’re one of them, and curious about whether it’s safe to travel, you may want to consider a few helpful travel tips. In most cases, travel is not recommended, particularly without a face mask and other preventative measures in place, but there are some situations in which travel may be acceptable - and appropriate.

Travel is starting up again, and if you’ve been locked up for months, you should know that you can safely stretch your legs and travel once more - as long as you follow these clear travel tips and guidelines.

What is Coronavirus?

It’s unlikely that you haven’t heard about the coronavirus yet, but just in case, here’s a refresher. 

The coronavirus was first discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. First declared a pandemic in the beginning of March, the disease is just one in the large family of other coronaviruses that cause illness in people along with animals like bats, cats, and camels. 

The disease has a variety of symptoms, the list of which is constantly evolving. You will generally see symptoms about two to fourteen days after being exposed, with common symptoms including fever, cough, gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, loss of smell or taste, congestion, and sore throat.

What’s far more threatening than this list of symptoms is the fact that the disease tends to be particularly deadly for people with preexisting conditions, particularly those with lung or immune system problems. It can also develop secondary concerns like kidney failure and pneumonia.

Travelling on an Airplane

Believe it or not, there is only limited data suggesting that in-flight transmission of COVID-19 can occur. In fact, most studies suggest that the likelihood of the virus spreading on planes  is reduced as long as World Health Organization guidelines (such as wearing face masks and washing your hands) is reduced. 

There are lots of people who believe that getting sick on an airplane is more likely, and it’s easy to understand why this misconception might exist. You’re trapped in a flying tube, just inches away from the closest passenger. 

However, the air inside an airplane is actually of the utmost quality. When you breathe in the air inside an airplane, you are breathing outdoor air that has been taken inside and passed through a HEPA filter. You are far more likely to pick up a virus or bacteria while standing in line at a food kiosk, in airport security, or on the boarding gate. If you frequently get sick after traveling, that’s more likely to be the culprit. 

Plus, airplanes are being super vigilant about how they deal with the coronavirus to reduce their risk of virus spread. They are intensively cleaning all surfaces, with airplanes now fogged with an electrostatic disinfectant that adheres to surfaces such as seatbelts. There are some airlines that provide passengers with wipes, too. 

Again, face masks are required on most flights, at least while you are boarding. Most airlines are trying to reduce the amount of passengers per flight, too, so that seats aren’t overcrowded. Some airlines check for fevers and won’t allow you to fly with a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees Fahreenheit. 

You may even be able to travel internationally during the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s important to research the regulations and policy in place before you buy a ticket. Some situations will require you to submit evidence of a negative COVID-19 test, while others will test you upon your arrival. Some airlines have mandatory quarantines and will ask you to submit a plan for approval, download an app, or even wear a tracking bracelet.

Moving into the future, you may be required to submit a certification of vaccination, too.

National Park

If you are interested in heading to a national park, you may be able to do this, where the risk is generally manageable and low.

Of course, you’ll want to practice safe distances (six feet or so from other visitors). You can check the website of the National Park Service to figure out whether the park is closed entirely or whether certain amenities have been shut down (some have limited access to food services and restrooms). 

Other parks have restrictions in place on the number of visitors allowed into the park at any time and on rules like wearing masks. Always practice social distancing at campsites, too.

Rent a Cottage by the Sea

Renting a cottage by the ocean is another great way to “get away” without necessarily exposing yourself to the novel coronavirus. A seaside vacation can be refreshing and relaxing, to say the least. Of course, you’ll want to stay far away from others. Six feet is recommended here, too! Some beaches have initiated closures, so research these before you travel.

You can’t catch the virus from the water - at least, there’s no evidence supporting this at the time - so you'll really just need to think about staying away from other people. Bring sunscreen and plenty of hand sanitizer and have your face mask on hand if you plan on heading to the food kiosks.

If you’re going to be staying at a rental property, it’s a good idea to check into the cleanliness of the site, too. Airbnb, among other retinal sites, now require vacancy periods of one to three days between guests, although it’s probably a bit overkill since there’s little evidence that the coronavirus can survive in the air for very long.

However, since it can survive on surfaces for several days, cleaning is necessary to help keep everyone safe. As always, practice good hand washing on this kind of vacation to keep yourself safe.

Stay in Hotel

Staying in a hotel is just about as safe as staying at a rental property. Again, you’ll want to find out when and how the properties are cleaned.

Remember that staying in a hotel is sometimes a better bet, particularly if you are staying with an established chain or brand name, because hotels tend to provide their employees with more benefits like paid sick leave and personal protective equipment. The hotels that take the best care of their employees will likely take the best care of you.

If you’re curious about how your hotel is handling the virus, you may want to check its website. This will give you more information on how they are responding to the threat and whether they are adhering to the new American Hotel and Lodging Associations' Safe Stay Guidelines, which have only just been implemented in the wake of the pandemic.

You’ll want to stay at a hotel that has adapted its daily protocols based on science rather than marketing. For example, loko for hotels that allow you to check-in online and use your phone as your room key, those that require staff to wear face masks, and those that have installed plexiglass windows at key interaction points like the front desk. 

When you’re staying in a hotel (or any kind of lodging when you are away from home) try to avoid elevators and go with room service instead of restaurant dining when you have the choice.. The pool will probably be safe, as standard pool cleaning chemical skill viruses.

Use a Public Restroom

This one can be tough to avoid - when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go. 

Unfortunately, when using a public restroom, it’s best to assume that public restrooms have not been properly disinfected. Therefore, you should treat them as if they’re covered in the live virus. Choose single-stall, well-ventilated bathrooms if possible and practice good hand washing protocols when you use the facilities. Wash and then thoroughly dry your hands (paper towels are best), and if there’s no soap, slather on some hand sanitizer.

Mask Wearing 101

In an ideal world, everyone would wear a face mask to minimize the spread of the virus at all times. However, we all know that’s not going to happen. It is incredibly easy to slip back into the habits you had pre-pandemic when you’re on vacation, particularly after you’ve had a few cocktails and just want to unwind.

However, what's important to remember is that not everybody deals with the stress of the pandemic in the same way and that it is important to stay patient, understanding, and kind, despite your frustration.

If the person who is not practicing social distancing (or not wearing a mask) is someone close to you, initiate a calm, understanding conversation. Ask for their reasons and explain yours for wearing one.

If it’s a stranger, remember that not everybody can wear a mask. Some people have legitimate medical issues that prevent them from doing so. If someone gets too close, you can move away quietly on your own. You can always ask them (gently, of course) to give you some space, but of course, the confrontation might not be worth the stress.

Know the Safety Basics

Travelling safely during the pandemic is all about understanding the basics behind the pandemic itself.

For example, the CDC generally agrees that touching objects is not the primary way that most people contract the ideas. Therefore, staying at least six feet away from other people is the best way to avoid catching the virus, as is wearing a face mask, washing your hand, and resisting the urge to touch your face. 

You should also frequently disinfect items that you touch often, like your cell phone, and practice general measures (like getting plenty of sleep and good exercise and eating a high-quality diet) to keep you healthy during these times.

General Travel Considerations

Traveling just to the grocery store down at the corner can be stressful during these challenging, unpredictable times. However, with a bit of planning and thought, it doesn't have to be. You just need to keep some new protocols in mind as you adjust to this “new normal.”

For example, make sure you follow all policies about mandatory quarantines and lockdown restrictions that are in place both where you live and where you plan to travel. In many cases, domestic travel is still limited and some international borders are closed except to essential travelers. 

Consider your personal situation, too. Does your employer have any travel restrictions in place? Are you at an elevated risk of contracting the virus, or do you live (or interact frequently) with those who are? The goal when traveling during the pandemic is to prevent bringing the virus home to your community and your loved ones - especially if you have low case numbers.

You really need to consider the benefits of travel as compared to the risk when you’re deciding where to go. And remember, driving will often be safer than flying because you can control the measures that are taken as you attempt to get from point A to point B, from who is riding in the car with you to where you are going to stop.

Travel Is Good For Your Mental and Physical Health In A Coronavirus World

If you want to safely explore the world during this time of uncertainty, planning ahead, following travel tips and being overly cautious is key. Keep in mind that many places in the world have travel advisories in place. For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that international travel is not advised, and domestic travel is strongly cautioned against.

There are many states and countries, too, including Maine and Hawaii, that require 14-days of quarantine after travel, while others (like New York) have a long list of states that are not permitted to travel there without a two-week isolation period.

That said, travel is good for your mental and physical health - and in many cases, travel (such as in the case of attending funerals or other events)  is an absolute necessity. Therefore, if you’re going to travel during the coronavirus pandemic, don’t panic or stress - but instead, plan intelligently so that you can feel better about getting out and about as the restrictions lift.

Follow these travel tips, and you’ll stay safe and healthy.

Karen A Mulvey is a personal social blogger and mom with 14 years of experience in the every day world of motherhood and sustainable product research. Karen is on a mission to help everyday families select sustainable, non-toxic organic products, stop stressing about uncertainties on sustainable home goods and apparel, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.

Follow Karen at @karenAmulveycs | Karen A Mulvey

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