REDUCE YOUR RISK OF CONTRACTING COVID-19 WHILE TRAVELING WITH THESE GUIDELINES FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)
Stay safe while traveling this summer.
If you have summer travel plans, make sure to follow these guidelines and recommendations to keep you, and those around you, safe.
1. Ask the Right Questions Before Making Plans
While travel might be tempting, it’s important to remember that staying home is still the best way to keep you, your family, and your community safe from COVID-19. So before you start booking accommodations, take a moment to ask yourself if the trip you’re planning is worth putting you and your family at risk. Whether by bus, plane, car, or otherwise, traveling will increase risk of infection.
Additionally, pay close attention to the spread of COVID-19 in your community and at your destination. If cases are spiking in either, stay home.
2. Anticipate Your Travel Needs
Making sure to pack essential items is important for any trip, but during the COVID-19 pandemic it’s vital that you do your due diligence to protect yourself and others from infection.
In addition to regular travel staples like food, water, and medicine, you should remember to pack the necessary, CDC-recommended items that reduce your risk of spreading the novel coronavirus. These include cloth face coverings, gloves, and an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol).
See what else the CDC recommends to do when packing for a trip.
3. Protect Yourself and Others in Transit
Like in any public space, you should adhere to CDC guidelines when traveling with or around other people. This includes maintaining a six to eight foot distance from fellow travelers when possible, covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face mask, and frequently washing and/or sanitizing your hands.
Depending on what method you’re using to travel, there may be certain considerations you need to take into account:
Airplane
While most viruses and germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air is circulated and filtered, the amount of time spent in close proximity with fellow passengers — either in the terminal or on the plane — can make social distancing very difficult. Make sure to wear your face mask and sanitize your hands frequently, especially after using highly touched surfaces, such as self-support kiosks and restrooms.
Bus or Train
Similar to airplanes, travelling by bus or train can make social distancing difficult to maintain. Additionally, buses and trains have more frequent stops that expose you to a wider diversity of passengers than planes, so make sure you are wearing a cloth face covering and washing/sanitizing your hands frequently.
4. Protect Yourself When Booking Accommodations
If you are planning an overnight stay at a hotel, inn, or resort, make sure to research them ahead of time so you know what policies and procedures they have in place to keep you safe. Call ahead and ask if staff are required to wear masks, and if they have updated their cleaning and disinfecting regimen to adhere to CDC guidelines.
When booking your stay, use options for online reservation, mobile room keys, and contactless payment. And when you arrive, don’t forget to wear your face mask and practice social distancing whenever possible.
Follow these CDC recommendations when planning an overnight stay.
Hospitals and health systems on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic need funding and essential resources to continue providing quality care to patients in their communities. Send a letter to your lawmakers in Congress and urge them to prioritize patient care in the next coronavirus relief bill.