Pandemic Travel Precautions: 5 Effective Tips for Safe Travels

More than a year into this global health crisis, many people suffer from pandemic fatigue and have begun traveling -- making travel precautions essential.

While there are clear ways in minimizing COVID-19 risks while traveling, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is presently recommending against non-essential trips.

According to a report from CGTN, going or not going on a trip is eventually a personal choice. However, those who are not traveling face the very real probability of being humiliated for traveling in the middle of a pandemic.

With the ramping up of COVID-19 vaccinations, a lot of people are anticipating traveling again. This may mean planning a trip for a summer vacation or even spring break.

However, this global health crisis is not over yet, and there are still numerous risks linked to traveling, to both health and wallet.

5 Ways to Have a Safe Trip this Pandemic

Are you one of the many who's planning to travel this summer or spring season? Here are 5 of the effective tips from Park Rapids Enterprise:

1. Understand the Dangers and If Possible, Delay Your Travel Plans

The CDC emphasizes that COVID-19 cases, hospital confinements, and even deaths, are extremely high nationwide. Since travel increases the danger of COVID-19 infection, the agency recommends the postponement of unnecessary travel plans to protect oneself from the infection.

2. Take the Necessary Precautions Every Before and After Your Trip

Within 14 days leading to your scheduled travel, avoid being in situations and places that can put you at risk of contagion. Specifically, avoid attending big events or using public transportation in accordance with the CDC guidelines. A related report is shown on TODAY's YouTube video below.

In addition, you should get tested with a COVID-19 test one to three days before a trip or keep a copy of your negative test results with you.

Then, after your travel, go through a COVID-19 test again three to five days after returning home and make plans of self-quarantining for seven days from travel regardless of the results.

The CDC advises that you get vaccinated if you are eligible and wait until two weeks after getting your final dose before traveling again.

3. Your Travel Plans Flexible

In this time of the pandemic, flexibility is the key. This means that you should be willing to pay extra for completely refundable flights, accommodations, and car rentals, in case there are changes with your travel plans at the last minute because of an unexpected infection or lockdown.

4. If possible, Choose a Road Trip Over a Flight

While road trip carries risks, it is much easier to control dangers within a smaller space, not to mention your family control.

5. Constantly Wear Mask and Practice Physical Distancing

This will help you shield yourself and your entire household. In connection to this, the CDC recommends that travelers wear a face mask all the time, avoid crowded places and stay at least six feet away from other people each time they are in public events and places.

You can check the best hotels in Santa Fe for your next family destination trip.

Check out more news and information on COVID-19 on Science Times.