After a series of lockdowns and exhausting months of both mandated and self-imposed quarantine, people are looking forward to the holiday season. But, traveling this holiday season looks different and super tricky. People are frustrated, lonely, and anxious. And, rightly so! For many of them, quite a chunk of time has passed without having seen their near and dear ones. 

This holiday season has come up with uncertainties and many questions related to travel. The most important question on everyone’s minds is if it’s safe to travel during the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

In this article, you can find some tips to ensure safe travel for people who have already decided to travel.

Who are your traveling partners?

It does not matter whether you are traveling alone or in a group, make sure you practice social distancing at all times. In addition to this, don’t forget to wear a face mask and carry hand sanitizer.

When traveling in the company of others, make sure that each one of you quarantines for fourteen days before setting out to travel together in a group.

If you are traveling with kids, make sure they wash their hands regularly for about 20 seconds with soap and water. Teach them the use of hand sanitizer and educate them on how important it is to maintain distance and wear face masks.

What is the mode of transport?

If you are traveling in your car, make sure to stock up on COVID-19 essentials. This includes face masks, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizers. It is best if you don’t rely on buying things on your route as you might have to stand in queues, which increases your risk of infection. Speaking of this, it is for this same reason that we suggest you pack up some food too to eat on the go when hunger strikes.

If traveling by train, try to book private accommodation if you have the budget to reduce the risk of infection.

COVID-19 testing

There are a number of places such as urgent care centers, pop-ups, pharmacies offering COVID-19 testing. Make sure that you opt for testing before you set out to travel as well as when you return to your home country.

While health experts strongly recommend taking a COVID-19 test, your state might have already made it mandatory. So, make sure you get yourself tested!