The Do's and Don'ts for 2020 Holiday Travel

Without a doubt, the safest place for you to spend the holidays is in your own home.

But if you are going to travel this season, you want to be smart about it, and take steps to help ensure you and your travel companions stay safe.

Prepping for travel during a pandemic takes time.

Getting ready a few days out, or even a week before your departure date isn’t going to cut it. Especially if you’re headed to a state with visitor requirements.

Do they require a self-quarantine before you leave? If so, for how long?

Do you need proof of a negative test to enter the state? Does the test need to be done within a certain amount of days before you arrive?

With cases now soaring, you’ll want to stay on top of state requirements, as they seem to be changing each day.

If you have all your ducks in a row with regards to state visitor requirements, you now need to think about how you will get there… and how you’ll stay safe en route.

Traveling by car?

If you plan to hit the road with people that don’t live with you, be sure everyone wears a mask and keep those windows open a bit to allow for fresh air to circulate in the car.

And take extra precautions at rest stops which can be a haven for germs and viruses. That means no skipping washing your hands!

Taking advantage of low air fares?

With air travel, your main threat isn’t necessarily the plane itself. After all, planes generally have good ventilation and filtration.

In fact, a Harvard study released at the end of October found that air circulation and mask wearing on flights can reduce the transmission of COVID-19 to lower than 1%. 

Instead, the biggest risks are the crowds at the airport that you encounter waiting in lines or sitting by your departure gate… or a very chatty seat companion once onboard.

Try to maintain distance while you’re in the airport.

And, if you have a chatty Kathy in the seat beside you, don’t be afraid to put on some headphones and pretend to fall asleep to get them to quiet down. I’ve done this several times… even before the pandemic began.

When you arrive at your destination, will you be staying in someone’s home or on your own at a hotel?

Experts note that staying apart is safer than staying in close quarters.

And if you do stay at a hotel or motel, try to find one that allows for outdoor access to your room so you don’t have to deal with shared hallways, crowded lobbies, and elevators.

Look, I know I can’t stop you from visiting friends and family for the holidays.

I’ll ask is that you do it safely.

Wear your mask, maintain your distance, and wash your hands often… for your health and those around you.

Stay safe out there.