POST-PANDEMIC TRAVEL
Do's and Don'ts
After a difficult year at home, Americans can’t wait to travel again. These rules of the road will help you stay safe wherever you want to go.
Once Gary Belis got his COVID-19 vaccine, he immediately planned several trips.
“I counted 14 days past my scheduled second jab and booked a JetBlue flight to Charleston, where I stayed with a fully vaccinated friend for the week,” says Belis, 70, a retired public relations executive who lives in New York City. “A week later, I took an Amtrak to Boston and spent Easter with my family. Next week, I’m going on a two-week vacation to Arizona.”
While Belis—who is careful about handwashing and masking—found a way to travel again, many of us are questioning how to do so safely and where to stay once we arrive at an exciting new destination. Here’s help.
FOLLOW CDC GUIDELINES
A cheer went up when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that fully vaccinated people can resume domestic travel. They don’t need to get tested before or after travel or selfquarantine when they get to their destination.
What else you need to know:
Since not everyone in the country is vaccinated, fully vaccinated travelers must still continue following the CDC guidelines that have been in place since the pandemic began, says Alan Taege, M.D., an infectious disease physician at Cleveland Clinic. “This includes wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands and avoiding crowds even if you’re fully vaccinated.”
HOW TO SAFELY RENT A CAR
Even though we now know there’s a low risk of catching COVID-19 from surfaces, wipe
down every high-touch surface with antibacterial wipes the moment you get into a rental car." In addition, for the first few
minutes you’re in the car, keep the windows open and get the air circulating in the same way you would in a taxi,” says Molly Fergus, a travel expert and general manager of TripSavvy, a travel news site.
What else you need to know:
Rental car rates may be high in the months ahead as more Americans rent cars at their destination, Fergus says. With cars in demand, she recommends “booking online and prepaying.”
HOW TO HAVE A STRESS-FREE FLIGHT
Expect contactless ticketing and enhanced cleaning protocols to remain a priority at the airport. While on board, wipe down your armrests and tray tables with antibacterial wipes, use hand sanitizer and wear a comfortable face covering the entire flight, says Konrad Waliszewski, CEO and co-founder of TripScout, a travel-planning app. The good news? Airlines are expected to continue with current (relaxed) cancellation and rebooking policies.
What else you need to know:
"Consider flying during the week when it’s less busy, especially if you’re traveling with kids or anyone who isn’t vaccinated yet,” says Waliszewski. “Book nonstop flights to limits around in airports and, if you can, avoid crowds by flying into a smaller regional airport instead of a busy metro airport-for example, fly into Portland, Maine, instead of Boston.”
HOW TO SLEEP AWAY FROM HOME, WORRY-FREE
When you book a hotel room, an Airbnb or Vrbo rental, make sure the accommodation is following strict social distancing and cleaning protocols. “What you’ll continue to see is that hotels are focusing on upgrading technology, such as smartphone apps for contactless check-ins,” Fergus says. “It’s a win for guests and hotels.”
What else you need to know:
Expect Airbnb and Vrbo rentals to be in high demand, so plan ahead. “If you’re staying at a
hotel and are worried about lingering germs, ask to stay in a room that hasn’t been occupied in 72 hours,” Fergus says. “If you’re nervous about crowds in elevators or lobbies, ask for a ground-floor room or research a motel where you just park and walk straight into your room.”
HOW TO ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS
While crowded festivals, water parks and events like state fairs should still be avoided, this is a good time to plan an outdoor adventure. And there’s nowhere more appealing than the more than 400 national parks across the country.
What else you need to know:
Before you go, remember that masks are required for all visitors. If you’re worried about crowds, visit a lesser-known park that may attract fewer visitors and offer more room to roam. A site like Find Your Park (findyourpark.com/park-finder) can help you locate the perfect destination.
Visit Parade.com/rv for an insider’s guide to renting a home on wheels.