The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the ways we do almost everything and that includes travel. While some may have feared traveling was a thing of the past, that’s an extreme reaction that hasn’t come close to becoming a reality. We can still travel, but doing so requires making changes to how we plan and engage in travel. This guide will help you have a safer and more enjoyable vacation or business trip.
Where Can You Go?
Before you start making any plans, it’s important to research any travel restrictions that may apply. It’s equally necessary to continue to update your information until your departure date arrives because restrictions may change in the meantime. Even if you’re someone like Marc Zboch, who travels regularly for business or philanthropic reasons, setting up alerts to warn you of changes to Covid-19 travel policies can help you keep your plans on track. Currently, some vacation destinations are still open and unrestricted, including Cancun, Las Cabos, Punta Cana, Jamaica, Aruba, and Costa Rica. If you’re planning ahead more than 60 days in advance, you’ll want to check before making reservations for travel or accommodations to any of these destinations.
Does Air Travel Raise the Risks For Infection?
A common concern is that the enclosed space of an airplane’s cabin raises the risks of infection for Covid-19 transmission. Studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Centers For Disease Control have concluded that air travel is safer than previously assumed. They found that the rate of exposure is three in 1,000, suggesting that it’s rare for passengers to spread the virus to one another. This is partly due to the mask wearing policies that airlines enforce. Additionally, the filtration system airplanes use capture contaminants in the air before it is recirculated. HEPA filters clean the air of harmful particles several times per hour to guard against the spread of allergens or bacterial agents.
Expect Longer Trips
Marc Zboch and many other entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and business representatives will continue to travel for reasons other than pleasure. Even so, there will be fewer travelers in the coming year, which means airlines will be lowering prices to attract even more vacationers. While this can work to your advantage, be aware that traveling has changed. There will be more layovers to allow airline personnel extra time to clean the cabins. This means it will take longer to get to each destination, prompting travelers to book longer stays. In planning your own trip, determine if it makes sense for you to stay longer on vacation rather than spending more of your time on the plane.
Choose Accommodations Wisely
There are several new factors you’ll have to consider in choosing a hotel in your destination city. First, many professionals in the travel industry recommend choosing accommodations that are far removed from the heart of the city. While it may seem convenient to book a hotel that’s located amidst the majority of tourist attractions in that city, you’ll also be increasing your risk of infection. Instead, book a hotel in the suburbs of the city, where the population is less concentrated. You should also call ahead or check the website for the hotel you choose to inquire about their Covid-19 policies. In particular, you’ll want to know what practices they employ to protect their guests. How do they handle employees or guests who become infected? Asking about their policies will help you determine how seriously they take the health and safety of their guests.
Prepare to Stay Safe
You may have planned to comply with a 14-day quarantine in your destination city if it’s required, but that are other things to consider in planning your vacation. Be sure to bring enough face masks for everyone in your party to last you throughout your stay. Additionally, you should bring along disposable latex gloves and antibacterial sanitation wipes. You should wear latex gloves anytime you’re in common areas or handling fixtures that are handled by others. This includes wearing gloves in your hotel room until you have wiped down bathroom and light fixtures, the TV remote, and the thermostat. Additionally, wipe down any eating utensils you use or request plastic single use utensils.
Traveling even a short distance has always required some advance planning, and that’s still true of traveling in the coming year. As long as you take the time to plan a safer and more efficient trip in advance, there’s no reason you can’t get away and enjoy some time away from the daily grind. Following these tips will help you stay healthy as you travel to the closest state or abroad to a different country.
