Traveling During Covid-19

COVID-19 has changed the world at an alarming rate. Our day to day activities have been drastically modified to fit our "new normal." We are required to wear masks if we go outside, we must stay 6-feet away from other people, and the unemployment rate has reached a new high. As cities start to lift stay-at-home orders, it is important to keep protecting yourself in case you decide to travel during this unprecedented time.

Here are some tips on staying safe while traveling during this pandemic.

1. Check the airlines' COVID-19 policies before booking the flight.

It is important to do your research on what the COVID-19 policies are for the airline you decide to travel on. Some airlines, such as Delta Airlines, have put in place proper social distancing and boarding policies to make travelers feel more comfortable and safe. Delta Airlines also has premade snack bags that are distributed during the flight to minimize the amount of contact flight attendants have with consumers. Doing research will help you decide which airline you want to take. Traveling during a pandemic is already very risky. It is worth spending more money on an airline with social distancing rules in place rather than put yourself at more of a risk by trying to save money.

2. Gather your supplies in advance of your flight.

Masks are required on every flight and throughout the airport. Be sure to also have gloves, seat covers, wipes, and PLENTY of hand sanitizer. You can get seat covers on Amazon.

3. Get a luggage cover for your bags and pack everything into a carry-on suitcase if possible.

By packing all of your clothes and necessities into a carry-on suitcase, you will minimize the number of people that have to touch your stuff. If you roll your clothes you will be quite surprised at how much stuff can actually fit into a small suitcase. Also, make sure to get travel-sized toiletries that are under the 4-ounce limit as mandated by TSA. Luggage covers minimize the number of germs that are coming in contact with your luggage because you can take the cover off and wash it as soon as you get to your destination.

4. Wear two layers of clothing.

Wearing two layers of clothing can protect you from the germs you come into contact with at the airport and on the plane. Once you get to your destination you can take off the top layer of clothing immediately at the door. Typically when I travel I wear shorts and a t-shirt with a hoodie and sweatpants on top of it.

5. Wash your hands frequently for a minimum of 20 seconds.

This really speaks for itself. You should've been washing your hands before COVID hit.

6. Wear gloves in the airport.

Gloves protect you from having to touch anything at the airport. But be really careful of cross-contamination. You don't want to touch something at the airport and then touch your phone because that truly defeats the purpose. Make sure to pack multiple pairs of gloves and frequently change them out.

7. Stay 6 feet away from people.

We're supposed to be social distancing people!! Don't go and sit next to a bunch of people at the airport. You don't know where they've been. They don't know where you've been. Just stay away for the safety of everyone. Also, if you're going to sit down in a chair, please be sure to wipe it down.

8. Frequently wipe off your phone and other electronics.

Who wants to be stuck in the airport without their phone? The answer is simple. No one. Just be smart about your usage and frequently wipe down your electronics.

9. Wipe down the seat, tray table, and screen when you get on the plane.

Remember those wipes I told you to gather before? Well, they come in handy right now. Currently, when you get on a Delta flight they provide you with a wipe but that is not enough. You need to make sure you have your own wipes so that you can really get to sanitizing your seat and the area around it. Make sure to wipe down EVERYTHING: your seat, the tray table, the screen, your seat belt, the armrest, and if you're sitting in a window seat, the window.

10. Use a seat cover.

The best thing I ever did was invest in a seat cover. Even though you spend time sanitizing your seat, seat covers give an additional level of protection. Most seat covers are washable and reusable. You can find seat covers on Amazon, but the one I typically purchase and like to use is this.

11. When you get off the plane wash your hands.

Like I said before, please wash your hands. Like really wash your hands...

12. When you get to your destination, wash your hands, and use wipes to wipe down all of your luggage and anything else that was exposed to the outside world during your travel.

Immediately upon arrival at your destination take off the top layer of clothing, wash your hands, and wipe down everything. You can never be too careful.

These are just some of the ways you can protect yourself while traveling during the pandemic. PLEASE take this seriously. PLEASE continue to wear a mask. PLEASE continue to social distance. PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS!!!! Stay safe, be aware of your surroundings, remember to social distance, and keep practicing good hygiene 💚