Summer Travel Tips During COVID-19

Now that stay at home orders have been lifted and some businesses begin to open back up  you may be thinking of a summer vacation. If you do decide to take a vacation, it will look very different this year. You may opt to take a road trip or stay closer to home and of course you will need to take extra precautions. Here are some tips from the CDC if you decide to take a trip.

The CDC recommends:

If you travel protect yourself and others during your trip:

• Clean your hands often.

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, after touching surfaces frequently touched by others, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and before touching your face or eating.

• If soap and water are not available, bring and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

• Avoid close contact with others.

• Keep 6 feet of physical distance from others.

• Wear a cloth face covering in public.

• Cover coughs and sneezes.

• Pick up food at drive-throughs, curbside restaurant service, or stores.

Anticipate Travel Needs

• Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip.

• Pack enough alcohol-based hand sanitizer
(least 60% alcohol) and keep it within reach.

• Bring a cloth face covering to wear in public places. (Some areas have rules in effect where they are mandatory)

• Prepare food and water for your trip. Pack non-perishable food in case restaurants and stores are closed.

•  Take steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 when booking accommodations or planning an overnight stay.

• If you are considering cleaning your travel lodgings, see CDC’s guidance on how to clean and disinfect. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html#clean-disinfect)

State and Local Travel Restrictions

Follow state and local travel restrictions. For up-to-date information and travel guidance, check the state or local health department where you are, along your route, and at your planned destination. While you are traveling, it is possible a state or local government may put into place travel restrictions, such as stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, mandated quarantines upon arrival, or even state border closures. Plan to keep checking for updates as you travel.

While you’re in research mode, look up visitor information and hours for businesses, restaurants parks and other places you may want to visit during your stay.

Maintaining Social Distancing and Sanitization 

Social distancing and sanitization aren’t taking a vacation while you are on vacation. We can not stress that now more than ever, it’s important to pack up your car with hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, sanitizing spray, face masks, and even a thermometer. And keep practicing social distancing with good and frequent hand-washing. If a place is too crowded be prepare to leave.

If you can, pack your own snacks and drinks so you reduce the need to go into rest stops and expose yourself to others.