TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO TRAVEL SAFELY,
Travel looks very different in 2020. Here are some answers to help you decide whether you would feel comfortable taking a trip during the pandemic.
Could you put yourself or anyone else at risk?
Even if you are not part of a vulnerable population – those who are 65 or older or have an underlying health condition – remember that some people who contract the virus spread it before developing symptoms or may not exhibit symptoms at all. So it’s safest to behave as if you have it.
With that mindset, consider the health of anyone you may come in contact with during and after your trip – everyone from gas station attendants to your friends and family. You may be putting their health in jeopardy. So be sure to maintain social distancing and wear masks when appropriate. When you return, it’s recommended that you quarantine for at least two weeks. If you’re traveling alone, make sure you have space in your home to quarantine without coming into contact with anyone, or secure lodging elsewhere before you travel. Where are you going?
If the transmission rate where you are is high, you run the risk of taking it to your destination. Similarly, if you travel somewhere with a surge in cases, you would be putting yourself at risk and could bring it back home with you.
How stringent has your destination been about safety precautions? If you have been extremely cautious, would you be comfortable visiting an area that has not been enforcing social distancing or where people are not wearing masks?
A What travel restrictions are in place?
Many countries have enforced travel regulations to curb the spread of the coronavirus. As of July 1, U.S. residents are not allowed to enter the European Union or the non-EU nations Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The border between Canada and the United States will be closed until at least late August, and several other countries have rules against foreign travelers. As the number of U.S. coronavirus cases soars, nearly half of the states have introduced strict travel measures, such as mandatory testing and quarantine requirements.
If you are allowed to visit the destination in mind, what measures may affect your stay? If you only have time for a short trip, avoid places that are enforcing quarantine upon arrival. For instance, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have announced that visitors from many states with high rates of infection must quarantine for two weeks, which would mean spending your trip in isolation.
A What can I do at my destination?
If you’re traveling somewhere to visit a water park or cultural site, find out whether those places are even up and running.
“Think about coming to New York right now,” said Rebecca Acosta, executive director of Traveler’s Medical Service, an organization with offices in New York and Washington that provides vaccines and other medical services for individuals and businesses. “You can go to Central Park, and it will probably be less crowded on the High Line, and there’s a lot of fun things you can do – but you’re not going to any of our museums.”
As your departure date nears, check
for updates on the website of the city, state or country you’re planning to visit. “Things are changing rapidly,” Acosta said. “What’s true today may be very different in six weeks.”
Where will you be staying?
If you have to self-quarantine upon arrival, that could be difficult to do if you’re staying at someone’s house. Think about whether you can afford a hotel room or Airbnb rental. Then think about how to minimize risks.
Before booking anything, research safety measures. Some hotels have introduced contactless check-in and checkout; others won’t enter rooms for at least 24 hours after a guest’s stay. If you’re leaning toward an Airbnb, ask your host whether the space was reserved right before your arrival.
In either case, bring your own pillow and pack a disinfectant cleaner certified by the Environmental Protection Agency to wipe down frequently touched surfaces. Dr. Lin Chen, president of the International Society of Travel Medicine and travel clinic director at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, also suggests opening all the windows to let in fresh air once you arrive.
A How much contact will you make?
Given the importance of social distancing, Arijit Nandi, an associate professor of epidemiology at McGill University in Montreal, suggests asking yourself, “Is there any part of the trip where I’m going to be in an enclosed space with other people, or even in an outdoor space where I can’t socially distance?”
“If I can avoid those,” he added, “I’d feel pretty good.”
Your best bet would be to enjoy the great outdoors. Visit a place where you can hang by the beach, take hikes or go camping. All of those options would be safer than staying indoors.
A What about health care?
In the event that you contract the coronavirus during your trip, it’s important to get a sense of your destination’s public health infrastructure. Has it been able to take care of its residents? Does it have good testing facilities? Is it carrying out contact tracing? Are the hospitals overwhelmed with coronavirus patients?
Another factor to consider is your personal access to health care. If you fall ill, will your insurance cover the cost of treatment? If you don’t have health insurance, can you afford to pay for medical bills or a hospital stay?
Are you planning to fly?
Before purchasing a ticket, find out what your flight could look like. Start by checking airlines’ policies. Many have announced robust disinfecting measures, and most are requiring passengers to wear masks onboard. United Airlines and American Airlines are requiring face coverings in airports, too.
Some are taking extra steps to ensure social distancing. Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue are blocking off middle seats and limiting capacity onboard. American and United have not announced such measures, but they are asking passengers to confirm that they do not have COVID-19 symptoms before boarding.
A What else should I know about getting on an airplane?
Several experts have said it is too early to know the transmission rate of the virus during air travel.
They have emphasized, though, that the air on a plane is circulated through a HEPA filter, which catches 99% of airborne microbes. “But if there’s a person right next to you who’s infected,” Nandi said, “that’s not going to help you.” So social distancing is vital.
A What about the airport?
While traveling has been drastically curtailed by the global pandemic, leaving some airports eerily empty, you should still be aware of all the touch points in a terminal. “I don’t think being in the aircraft is the necessary concern,” said Dr. Qanta Ahmed, an associate professor of medicine at NYU Long Island School of Medicine. “It’s being at the airport hub.”
If you’re traveling a long distance, Ahmed suggests taking a single flight rather than stopping for layovers. “People embark, disembark; somebody will come and clean the plane,” she said. “I think the more interactions there are, the more risk there is.”
Should you drive?
If you would rather travel by car, a short journey is on the safer side. Long drives mean there will be more touch points along the way. You may have to stop for food, gas and restroom breaks and stay somewhere overnight, all while wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.
For some, that may be more stressful than taking a short flight. This is where individual preferences come in. “A family may say, ‘We’re going to fly instead because we have this three-hour period of time where we have to be hyperalert,’ “said Acosta, of Traveler’s Medical Service.
Should you travel at all?
No matter how many safety procedures are put in place on trains, planes or hotels, you may still feel uneasy about venturing out on vacation.
If you’re traveling for work and think the trip can be avoided, raise your concerns with your employer. If you feel obligated to attend a family gathering but don’t want to put anyone’s health at risk, have an honest discussion with your loved ones. For those who absolutely can’t postpone their trip, remember that face coverings and social distancing go a long way.
If you’re simply aching to get out of the house but are nervous about traveling, pretend you are a tourist in your own town.