I am finally taking a trip! This is my first trip since the very beginning of January and my first trip longer than a weekend in over a year! If you want to get back to traveling, here is how to prepare to travel in a pandemic.
**Disclaimer: Everyone has a different opinion on traveling right now. It is a personal decision and everyone can make their own choices based on different risk factors. If you choose to travel soon, do your research ahead of time and take precautions to keep you and the people around you safe. For anyone in the United States, the CDC website is a great place to get updated information on safety protocols.**
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We have had this trip planned for two and a half months, but right after we planned it, cases started spiking, so we were not sure if we would go. We continuously monitored cases in both our community and our destination, and we tracked state and local guidelines so we could follow them as necessary.
Just over a week before the trip, we finally decided that we would be going. However, we knew we needed to be over-prepared with masks, sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and anything else that would keep us and everyone around us safe.
So, how do you prepare to travel in a pandemic? This is not a comprehensive list, but these are the most important things I considered when preparing for my trip!
Airline Policies
When looking for flights, I usually just book with whoever is cheapest or most convenient for my schedule. When booking during the COVID pandemic, I wanted to be more diligent. I checked the policies of different airlines to see which ones were requiring masks and doing intense cleaning of planes between every flight.
I went with American and United (one airline there, one airline back). Their policies were up to par with what I wanted, and I trusted them for the majority of my flights prior to the pandemic. I have heard stories of flights not enforcing the policies, so I am curious to see how my flights are handled.
Refunds
I wanted to make sure my tickets were refundable. I had a trip planned at the end of March that I canceled. For this canceled trip, I used a voucher with United for my flights then and it was easy to refund. Even though tickets are relatively cheap right now, I at least wanted airline credit if I canceled.
Flight Changes
The one issue I have had with my flights is both have been changed, and neither airline alerted me. This is happening often now since safety policies, the number of flyers, and many other factors are constantly changing.
I did not realize American changed my flight until someone else I am traveling with received an email about the change. I never got an email, but my flight was changed when I logged into my account online. My nonstop flight was switched to one with a layover, and the flight time is over two hours longer. I ended up calling American to change my new flight to an earlier one and they were able to do that. I wish they would have alerted me, but changing my new flight to the one I wanted was easy. They even gave me a voucher for the price difference.
United also switched my flight. I was looking online to check my seats for the flight, but I could not find anything. I logged in and they pushed my flight back 12 minutes. This is not a big deal at all, and it is still nonstop which I am grateful for. However, I would still appreciate an email letting me know of the change.
Even though this was inconvenient, it was a great lesson learned! I will always be checking my flights before a trip now. At least I was aware of the changes before I got to the airport!
Communicate With Your Travel Buddies
Even before we officially committed to going on this trip, me and the three people I am traveling with set expectations for ourselves before, during, and after the trip. We did not know how to prepare travel in a pandemic since this is a new experience for all of us.
During the trip, we will be staying outside whenever possible, even when dining. Masks will be worn at all times when social distancing is not possible.
After the trip, we will be following all state and local guidelines at home to keep our communities safe.
Packing
I always pack way too much when I travel, and I know I need to pack even more than usual to stay safe.
I always have plenty of hand sanitizer since I am a germaphobe. The problem with traveling is that I need to have TSA-approved hand sanitizer to put in my carry-on. I have small sanitizers to bring with me on the plane. These will also be easy to carry when I am out exploring after I arrive.
Disinfectant wipes are so hard to come by. I buy a pack every time I can find some, which is not often, but I will still have plenty to bring with me.
Masks
Masks! I own two reusable masks that I wash a lot, but they are getting old, so I knew it was time to buy new ones. I bought a big pack of masks, so I can bring at least four on my four-day trip.
As a clumsy person, I have dropped my masks multiple times when I go to put them on or take them off. I have also lost or broken others. Knowing this, I need to bring extra masks on my trip since I cannot easily wash them when I am away. I plan on bringing more than enough to cover any mistakes I will inevitably make.
In addition to packing masks, I will always be carrying an extra mask with me. While I plan on staying outdoors as much as possible, I do not want to lose or break my mask while I am out and have to get back to my condo to get a new one.
Where to Stay
On this trip, I will be staying in a private condo, which is part of the reason we decided to go through with the trip. It is a family condo and has been vacant all summer, so we know it is clean. This will allow us to social distance more than we could at a hotel.
However, I am also planning another trip this year when I will be staying in a hotel. If you plan on staying in a hotel, Airbnb, or another shared place, research their safety protocols. Similar to airlines, all safety policies related to COVID should be on their website. You cannot assume anything, so before booking, do your research to make sure the place you stay meets or exceeds your expectations.
Stay Safe and Have Fun!
I am so excited to finally travel again. This is all the important stuff for how to prepare to travel in a pandemic. If you are planning a trip soon and have more tips, leave them in the comments below!
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All information is current as of publication. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect travel, and all destinations have different rules and restrictions in place. The pandemic may also affect the opening times of the attractions and establishments listed. Please do independent research before traveling anywhere, and consider the risks involved.