8 Tips for Traveling Safely This Summer
COVID-19 has halted much of life as we knew it and summer vacation plans are no exception. And with cases surging in several states across the nation, you may be questioning whether it’s safe to travel—while simultaneously wondering if your sanity will suffer if you stay home all summer long. But while it’s obviously safer to stay put, traveling can be manageable, if you take the proper precautions, says budget travel expert Lindsay Myers. “People want to have some sort of adventure this summer but we have to change our mindset and be prepared for everything,” she says. “It’s almost like going camping.”
So whether you’re pitching a tent in the mountains or lounging poolside at a plush resort, you can make traveling safer for you and those around you. Here are eight things to know before you go.
1. Stay up to date on your destination
Whether you’ve had your trip planned for months, or are looking for a last-minute getaway, it’s important to know whether where you’re going is a current hotspot for coronavirus, as well as whether visitors are required to quarantine upon arrival (and whether you’ll need to do the same when you return to your home state.) Visit the CDC’s website for the latest information on travel advisories inside and outside of the U.S., and also check your state’s website to find out which states are on their quarantine list.
2. Stock up your supplies
By this point, if you’ve ventured outside of your house at all since March, you probably have a mask, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes stowed in your car and/or diaper bag. Make sure you have plenty of these things before you even think about leaving home. If you want to make your mask game fashion, Myers recommends checking out Night, a company that sells silk masks that are gentle on the skin. But whatever mask you wear, be sure to wash it daily. “You never know what could be living on it,” she says.
3. Find an app for that
We’re talking airlines, hotels, car rentals, ApplePay or Google Wallet—basically anything that will allow you to make reservations or pay for things with as little contact as possible.
4. Choose a safe route for your road trip
Even if you aren’t staying in a COVID-19 hotspot, you also want to avoid driving through cities that are experiencing an uptick in cases, says Myers. (Because you know someone is going to need to use a restroom at some point.)
5. Be extra vigilant if you’re flying
Look for airlines that block out seats or rows to make social distancing easier. “And pick the window seat if possible,” says Myers, which limits passengers brushing by you as they walk down the aisle. Also, along with your mask and hand sanitizer, consider purchasing washable seat covers, like these adorable options from Nice Seats.
6. Be mindful of everything you touch
Yes, this is even harder when traveling with kids, who are prone to pawing everything, but it’s so important, especially when heading into a rest stop where so many others have gone before. If the idea of peeing in a public restroom gives you nightmares, buy a portable rubber urinal like GoGirl, which makes it possible for girls to go like one of the boys—avoiding the whole popping a squat scenario by the side of the road.
7. If you’re renting a house, don't be shy about asking questions
Ask the owner what the turnover time is between guests, whether their state/city is requiring masks, and what extra steps they’re doing to ensure sanitation, says Myers. “It also doesn’t hurt to wipe high touch areas down when you get there and bring your own sheets and towels if it makes you feel more comfortable."
8. Request a specific hotel room
If you opt for a hotel, the front desk will be able to see which rooms are occupied most frequently. “Call before you arrive and ask for a room that hasn’t been used in several days,” says Myers. Also, inquire as to what extra cleaning methods the staff is employing and whether they’re using a housekeeping seal (a piece of tape across the front door that ensures you’re the first person to enter the room after it’s been cleaned). And be sure to download the resort’s app, which often allows for contactless check-ins.
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