Tips for Traveling During a Pandemic

Here are a number of tips for traveling during a pandemic. It’s true that traveling could increase the risk of your family getting and spreading Covid-19. The best thing that you can do in the meantime is to stay home to protect yourself and others. But if traveling is something that you still intend to do or simply have no choice, there are a few things for you to think about to keep your family healthy and safe.

Trips for Traveling During a Pandemic

While traveling for pleasure may be generally discouraged, there are some reasons you may need or desire to get out of the house for a short trip. Regardless of the reason, these tips will help keep you and your family safe while on the road.

Pay Attention to Travel Restrictions

Depending on where you are visiting, certain travel restrictions may have been put in place by state, local, or territorial governments. It’s important that you remain flexible. Find out ahead of time if there are stay-at-home orders or traveling restrictions you need to know about, along with quarantine requirements once you’ve arrived. If it’s in your plans to head outside the country, they may even require you to be tested for Covid-19 upon arrival.

Food and Rest Stops

Usually, after a few hours, someone in your car needs to stop and use the restroom or wants something to eat. As far as food goes, the best thing that you can do is to pack your own meals for the trip. But if this doesn’t seem like a good option for your family, think about restaurants that offer curbside pickup, drive-thru, and take-out to decrease chances of exposure.

After using the restroom at a rest stop, remember to wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer (at least 60 % alcohol) if washing your hands is unavailable. Also, be sure to wear a mask.

Getting Gas

Even before you pick up the gas nozzle, go ahead and use disinfectant wipes on the buttons and handle. Once finished, use hand sanitizer and remember to wash your hands when you’ve reached your destination.

Distance Yourself from High-Risk Locations

Avoiding the crowds and large gatherings is also something to consider during your trip. Don’t travel to a location that may be experiencing higher cases of COVID. Now is not the time to be visiting large cities and touristy areas. You’re only putting your family at a greater risk. Check out this tracker to keep you updated on high-risk locations.

Once Your Trip is Over

At some point during your traveling you may have come into contact with Covid-19 without you being aware. Even if you feel well afterward and are not showing any signs of the symptoms, you are still capable of spreading the virus to others. Here are a few things for you to consider.

It’s best that you stay at your home with your family for the next 14 days and isolate it as a precaution.
When you are around others that are not your family members, continue to keep a minimum of 6 feet apart, whether you’re indoors or outdoors. (Roughly 2 extended arm lengths.)
Be sure to wear a mask over your mouth and your nose, washing your hands with warm water and soap often. If there’s no place to wash your hands, remember to have hand sanitizer with you.

While you may have heard this message in some form already, it’s none-the-less crucial that you do everything that you can to keep you and your family healthy. We hope these tips for traveling during a pandemic help you. What are some other tips for traveling during the pandemic?

More Travel Tips

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Melissa Jennings

Melissa is a football and soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 24 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.