Some places were locked down, and they have been reopened amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Majority have begun traveling from one place to another, although the pandemic has not yet been contained. While traveling, there are some precautions that you should adhere to regardless of whether you are traveling via road or air transport. As a result, you should plan everything in advance.
Some of the proper steps that you should take while traveling include packing and carrying everything that you need to ensure that you’re healthy throughout the journey. As you travel, minimize contact with other parties.
Some of the things that you should add to your pack list during your COVID-19 vacation include:
1. Hand Sanitizer
CDC has recommended that people carry hand sanitizers with ethanol content greater than 60 percent to kill the coronavirus. You should take the sanitizers in bottles of different sizes as you travel for particular situations. Carry a small bottle for one day or a bigger one as you travel in your car or to the vacation rental.
2. Soap
When heading to a hotel, necessities such as soap will be provided. If you are engaging in camping or residing in a rental home, you need regular soap.
3. Disinfecting Wipes/ Alcohol
Disinfecting wipes come in handy as you disinfect surfaces such as light switches or doorknobs. Some of the popular brands include Lysol. Some of these wipes are in short supply, which means you should purchase them early before you commence your trip.
It is also possible to make disinfecting wipes using a bleach solution; however, these should be used within 24 hours.
4. Multipurpose Cleaner/Lysol
If you cannot find disinfecting wipes, you can purchase disinfecting sprays such as Lysol or other cleaners that have a proven track record when it comes to killing germs and viruses. Pack a spray bottle of the all-purpose cleaner to clean various surfaces in the hotel or vacation rental. Multipurpose cleaners also clean greasy surfaces and food-borne pathogens.
5. Paper Towels
There are many things to spray and clean up as you travel, which means you’ll need paper towels. You may have a hard time finding paper products, which means that you should acquire them before you commence your journey.
6. Face Coverings/ Masks
Masks are currently a necessity since they curb the spread of the virus. They are currently an essential commodity for travellers. Ensure you have packed enough masks since you may be unable to access them as you travel.
If you’re headed to a destination that has a different climate, pack different mask types. You may find that certain mask types are suitable for certain activities, temperatures, or humidity levels. For outdoor activities, you can opt for a face-covering mask.
7. Gloves
Experts have advised that people should wear gloves daily since non-medical personnel do not use such items hygienically. If you carry out heavy-duty cleaning during your time at a vacation rental, the gloves will come in handy since they will protect your hands from harsh chemicals.
8. Detergents
Since people are wearing cloth masks, they should be cleaned thoroughly using detergents. If you are traveling to a destination with access to a washing machine, make sure you have packed regular detergent. If you plan to wash the masks on your own, the portable detergent will come in handy.
9. Water Bottles
Water fountains in different locations have been closed down because of certain safety reasons. Ensure you have packed your own water for the entire family since such a drinking option guarantees less contact. Carry dish soap in case you need to wash the water bottles and reuse them.
10. Food & Snacks
Avoid purchasing food items from roadside convenience stores. It is advisable to carry your own snacks from home. If you are headed to a vacation rental or a condo, make sure you have packed enough groceries that will last you the entire trip.
11. Cooler
During a road trip, you should carry a cooler to store food and drinks to be used for the journey. Look for a compact cooler that can be kept in the back seat to be easily accessible. A big grocery haul may also be inserted in the trunk.
12. Ziploc Bags
Ziploc bags come in handy since they can be used to store even face masks. You can also use them as trash bags to store dirty masks.
13. Travel Potty
Most travellers fear using public bathrooms, which means you, should look for another solution, such as a travel potty since it will ensure minimal contact with other human beings.
14. Pen
In the post-COVID 19-era, it is advisable to avoid shared pens. Pack your own pens in case you need to use one.
15. Touchless Pay Methods
Although you may avoid touching shared surfaces, purchasing certain items may pose a huge risk since you will be exposed to germs. A credit card should be the preferred payment method in different instances. If you’re not used to utilizing touchless payment methods, it is time to learn more about Google Pay or Apple.
16. Health Insurance Cards
Hopefully, you’ll not get sick during a vacation; however, you should make sure that your health paperwork is intact since it will assist you in case you fall sick. Ensure you have a card and take a photo to present as a backup in case of anything.
17. Ensure You Can Produce a Negative COVID-19 Test
There are certain destinations where travellers are supposed to prove they don’t have the coronavirus. If a traveller wants to skip the 14-day quarantine, they must undergo a COVID-19 test within 72 hours. Make sure you have the necessary paperwork as you travel to such destinations.
18. Thermometer
There are places whereby you are supposed to carry out temperature checks before you can enter. If you have a thermometer, you can check your own temperature and that of the people you’re traveling with.
19. Medicine
Hopefully, none of your travel mates will fall sick during the journey. If anyone falls sick, they should be given the necessary medication. It is advisable to carry fever-reducing medicines such as acetaminophen.
Conclusion
As you travel during this period, there are safety precautions that you should adhere to. Also, there are items that you should include in your pack list, and they have been listed above.