Are you thinking of traveling during the coronavirus? Stay safe and read this before you go.

Plan

The first step in any good travel article is typically about planning. That’s because there are many things to think about when it comes to vacation: What to wear, where to lodge, where to eat, which routes to take, etc.

But now more than ever, planning is especially important. With a pandemic out there, you need to make sure you are staying safe, on top of everything else. And, you should do your part to keep other travelers safe too.  

Safety

• Don’t travel if you’re feeling sick or have a fever
• Wear a cloth face covering when in public
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth  
• Wash your hands with soap and water, for a minimum of 30 seconds 
• Carry hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol-based) with you for the times you are unable to get to a sink
• Keep a 6ft distance from others

Your Route

How are you getting from A to B? Know the risks associated with each option. Airports, bus stations, and train stations could all have a lot of travelers. Road trips also pose risks. For example, rest stops.

Road Tripping it

If you do choose to travel by car, map out your rest stop game plan:

• Have a map or travel app handy
• Study the stops on your route
  • Mark which ones are important (fuel, bathroom, food)
  • Skip any that might be the most crowded 
• Cut down on the number of stops
  • Top off your gas tank before you go 
  • Use the bathroom before you go
  • Pack a cooler with snacks and drinks

Food

When you’re out of town, avoid eating out at sit-down restaurants. Instead, opt for takeout or delivery. Another good idea is to find a hotel with a built-in kitchen so you can buy groceries and cook your own meals. Not only is it great during these times when social distancing is important. But, it’s also helpful to your overall budget. 

Hotel Accommodations

Where will you be staying? With family? Or do you need to stop someplace overnight?

Search here for the best hotel deals in the area. After you’ve found one that works for you, call the hotel directly to ask them which safety measures they currently have in place and what they’re doing to help guests feel more comfortable. 

Stay Up To Date 

Stay up to date on the latest news and important information: 

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention  
• World Health Organization