So it has officially happened. The travel bug has bitten you again and you find yourself going from “just browsing” hotel stays to reserving a room and figuring our transportation. You want to travel, but now the realization has hit you that we’re still technically fighting against a world pandemic. Many are vaccinated, perhaps even yourself, but not enough for herd immunity quite yet. So now you’re trying to figure out how to enjoy the trip you planned without potentially putting yourself or others in harms way.
The good news is there is definitely a way to travel while remaining safe and protecting yourself and/or others. These tips, that I am going to provide for you today, are tips that we’ve followed that can work for both vaccinated and unvaccinated folks. Here’s what we’d recommend doing to give yourself peace of mind as you travel this summer.
TIPS FOR TRAVELING SAFELY IN 2021
Disinfect Your Room
While I would not recommend completely cleaning your entire room where you’re staying, we always try to disinfect high-touch areas and spray our bed with disinfectant spray (a clean kind) as an added precaution. In fact, spraying the bed was something that mom used to do growing up because she used to tell us that beds aren’t as clean as we think they are. Yes, they clean, but how often do they disinfect or replace mattresses? What about that top sheet that apparently isn’t cleaned as much? It’s an extra step, but it only takes a few minutes to give yourself that peace of mind.
Look Up the Restrictions Before Hand
Before you visit, we highly encourage you to check if there are any restrictions. For example, if you’re planning to dine out, what are the parameters and restrictions in place for guests? Do you have to wear a mask? Do you have to reserve beforehand due to seating capacity? While a lot of the restrictions have lifted in some states and countries, a lot of establishments still have mandates and restrictions designed to keep themselves and their guests safe. It’s important to know beforehand, so you’re prepared before you go.
Pack Your Own Sanitizer
I started doing this recently because it’s so convenient to have your own in your bag as opposed to relying solely on establishments to have them. Sometimes you touch something a little gross, but aren’t close enough to a bathroom to wash your hands properly. That’s where a nice, clean hand sanitizer can come in handy.
Wear Your Mask in Drive-Thrus and Toll Booths
Now that some mandates have lifted, that isn’t necessary, but it is a safety precaution we recommend as those distances aren’t as far as you think they are. We also started doing it a little over a year ago after hearing people who work in those industries express that they felt unsafe whenever drivers pulled up without them. You don’t have to, but if you’re concerned about being around people you don’t know in close quarters, this is something that can help.
If You MUST Use a Public Restroom, Wear a Mask and Bring Gloves
Public bathrooms are dirty enough, so I can only imagine how nasty they must be right now. I would recommend avoiding them, but if you absolutely cannot hold it, we recommend wearing a disposable mask inside of the stall (one you can throw out once outside because who wants toilet water particles on their face?). Dispose of it once you’re outside. You can also wear gloves, but I can’t imagine that being very sanitary and would recommend washing your hands and carrying sanitizer with you for the way out.
Trust Your Gut and Take Your Time
You might think that you’re ready to dine out and then notice that the restaurant is a little too crowded for what you’re comfortable with right now. That’s okay. Trust your gut on that and perhaps grab food to go. After over a year of being in quarantine, it’s hard to just flip back to living life exactly the way that you did before. If it takes you longer to feel comfortable going out to a bar or a restaurant, that’s okay. Take your time and do what feels comfortable for you.
