Pandemic Travel Guide

Making the Most of Your Trip

Written by Alyse Messmer Illustration by Hannah Siefkes

Traveling is no longer as easy as it was. As a result of stay-at-home orders and the fear of spreading COVID-19, most travel was shut down in 2020.

A total of 217 countries and territories across the globe established travel restrictions, some closing their borders and not accepting travel across customs. According to the United States Travel Association, air travel was 62% lower in January 2021 than January 2020, showing no improvement since October 2020.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to warn against traveling in an ongoing effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Their website states:

“Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. CDC recommends that you do not travel at this time. Delay travel and stay home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are extremely high across the United States.”

The CDC recommends continuing to wear masks, staying at least six feet apart, avoiding crowds and washing your hands often. But these guidelines do not make travel impossible.

For many who have gone back to work or school, travel is necessary. For others, travel is their escape from work, school or everything the year 2020 held for them. Thankfully for them, transportation systems are opening back up and continue to offer people the ability to travel, with the addition of new guidelines and regulations.

Hannah Hendrickson, junior exercise science major, encourages other students to be creative in traveling during this time.

“Traveling during a pandemic certainly takes creativity. But it is doable. While transcontinental travel has been limited, there are endless options to explore areas within driving distance,” Hendrickson says. “I’ve been blessed to live in this area in Southern California, with access to the mountains, beach, and deserts like Joshua Tree. There is so much to see. Day trips have grown my appreciation for the area I live in, and being creative with the Covid-friendly activities I can do has helped me realize that it is never impossible to have a good time.”

PLANNING A TRIP

Along with the needed creativity to travel during this time, there are still many precautions and steps of planning that are encouraged before a trip of any kind. Business Insider, is a good resource to rely on for the planning process.

First, while planning your trip, be aware that there may be unexpected closures. Double-check with hotels, restaurants, and even the Federal Highway Administration to make sure your route won’t include any surprises. They also encourage tourists to rent a vacation home or Airbnb instead of a hotel to limit interactions with others.

It is also important to know what that country, state or even airport will require of you. Do you need a specific COVID-19 test? How many negative tests do you need and within what time frame? Do you need a COVID-19 vaccination to participate in this activity? Will you need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival? Depending on the airline, airport, state or country, these regulations vary.

PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP

When packing, make sure you have all the necessities.

Timothy Klepzig, junior mechanical engineering major, encourages others to be prepared when packing for a trip of any kind.

“I think the best way to make travel happen through this time is to simply prepare and expect changes to your plans. As restrictions change constantly, plans have to follow suit,” Klepzig says. “One thing I will recommend through this pandemic is always having hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, disinfecting spray, and vitamin C packets close by during a trip. When I was out of the state, every morning, I took a vitamin C packet in the morning to boost my immune system. Just to be safe, help your body out.”

“Use the disinfecting wipes and spray - you can keep your car, hotel, or wherever you are staying clean and safe. Always keep a box of fresh, clean masks in your car. As you meet new people or old friends and go on spontaneous adventures, you want to make sure everyone is safely masked up. Protecting yourself, your friends and the people in the community you are traveling to is very important.”

According to the National Park Service, if planning to visit a National Park such as Yosemite, masks are “required in all NPS buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, overlooks, and historic homes.”

When packing for any trip, masks (and a few extra masks) are always a necessity.

WAYS TO TRAVEL

Whether a road trip, flight or train ride, there are new safety regulations and practices in place to ease worry or fear of spreading or catching the coronavirus.

Delta Airlines, along with many other carriers, continues to offer flights with new safety measures in place. Besides requiring travelers to wear masks and spacing out seats on the aircraft, they also added new sanitation and air filtering systems. Delta’s website assures travelers that there is a way to travel safely: “From the moment you check in to when you reach baggage claim, you’ll experience the Delta CareStandardSM, designed to keep all surfaces and high-traffic areas clean and disinfected, give you more space, and offer safer service and personal care at every point in your journey.”

Amtrak started a partnership with the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health to research and provide a safe train experience for all visitors. Along with their mask and distance regulations, they also regularly disinfect surfaces and have onboard filtration systems with a fresh air exchange rate every four-five minutes.

These safety precautions are scientifically proven to limit the spread of COVID-19 by creating a safe environment and experience, making travel and adventuring possible during this time.

While attempting to travel during this time, taking the precautions, planning well and packing for every scenario will ease stress and make traveling even more “normal.” ◆