On The Road To A Safe Holiday Experience

​Guest Post: Jessie Clarke from Soulful Travel
 
Most of us are choosing to skip flying the friendly skies this holiday season. Between the risk of transmission during layovers to quarantine guidelines of a week or more, flying just isn’t feasible for those with just a few days off. This means we will take to the roads this year, and that requires some preparations. Here are a few great suggestions for safe road travel during the current global crisis.
 
Know your en-route accommodation options.
 
If your drive requires an overnight stay, map out potential accommodations before you leave. Take the time to get to know what they are doing to combat the spread of the coronavirus. As Hotel News Now explains, most hotel chains have adjusted their cleaning procedures to improve sanitation and reduce contamination. You can check travel websites for reviews from recent customers.
 
Plan ahead for working from the road.
 
Even if you've scheduled days off, you don't know what the road ahead will bring. Make sure that you have all the tools and equipment you need to work remotely, if necessary. If you do not currently have a laptop, now is a great time to invest in one as many technology manufacturers are offering deep deals and discounts throughout the holiday season. You will also want to ensure that you have enough mobile data to act as your own hotspot if necessary.
 
Keep your gatherings small.
 
The vast majority of the United States has enacted strict gathering restrictions in light of the pandemic. Keep your get-togethers at or below the recommended numbers, and plan to wear a mask at your destination. This is especially important if you will be visiting with elderly or immunocompromised relatives. Talk to your friends and family about ways that your holiday parties will look different this year. This might mean playing no-contact games, such as Christmas charades, or utilizing video conferencing software to allow at-risk relatives to join the festivities remotely.
 
If someone begins to feel ill, turn around.
 
A runny nose or cough usually means something as simple as a cold or allergies. However, given that we're in the middle of a global crisis, even mild symptoms should be taken seriously. Hopkins Medicine explains that the symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, and headache. If you are experiencing any of these, do not proceed to your target destination, and contact your healthcare provider for further guidance.
 
Avoid indoor pit stops when possible.
 
The general consensus is that the coronavirus spreads more efficiently in poorly-ventilated indoor areas. Minimize the number of stops you have to make by packing snacks and ensuring you have all of your essentials in your bag before you go. For the inevitable bathroom breaks, don't touch doors, use paper towels instead of the air-based hand dryers, and maintain a six-foot distance between yourself and other travelers.
 
Our holiday travel plans may look different this year and maybe even the next. Until the vaccine is widely accessible, it is up to us as individuals to take as many precautions as possible to keep ourselves and our families safe. While traveling far from home is typically not advisable, there is nothing wrong with visiting with friends and family throughout the holidays, as long as you do so safely and sensibly.
 
Contact Allen Batista Travel today to plan a fun yet safe trip for the holidays and beyond!
 
 

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