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You may not be stuck at home for much longer.
People still want to get away, according to Tripadvisor, and more than 66% of travelers say they are already planning their next trip.
Those journeys are likely to be short distance and will probably involve some outdoor activity. Almost half the Tripadvisor consumers said a road trip close to home is a good possibility. Globally, searches for outdoor activities are on the rise.
This makes sense: It’s very safe, says Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, which provides medical and crisis response service to travelers. “It’s far less likely you’ll contract the virus when you are outside,” he said.
Over the past six months, Richards says, there have been many documented cases throughout the world of widespread transmissions: in restaurants, a call center, houses of worship. All took place inside, he points out.
Here are some other tips for summer travel.
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Plan, plan, plan
Danielle Desir, 29, recommends packing snacks and disposable wipes, since you can’t always be sure what’s available at your destination.
Source: Danielle Desir
Danielle Desir, 29, who lives in Bridgeport, Connecticut, doesn’t go anywhere without masks, hand sanitizer and hand wipes.
“We pack our own water and snacks,” said Desir, who has a podcast about affordable travel and personal finance. “We’re not always sure what’s going to be available at the destination and we don’t want to be turned away.”
In fact, be prepared for upsets: Desir and her boyfriend went hiking and found that the tower at the mountain peak was closed. “The website didn’t mention it,” she said.
It’s important to stay informed about the re-opening stages of the place you’re visiting.
“Make sure you go to the area’s tourism board for updates and to see what things are going to be open,” Desir said. For instance, some restaurants may only offer takeout. Others may require reservations.
Why flying seems dicey
Car wash
Perhaps even more dangerous than sitting on a plane, Richards says, is sitting in a rental car or taxi.
If you rent, make sure to wipe down and sanitize surfaces. Open the windows and doors, and give the car time to air out — five to 10 minutes should do it, Richards says. Your own vehicle is safe, he adds.
Let’s be active
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Match up a destination with your favorite activities, Desir says.
Once you’ve zeroed in on a winery or brewery, or best places to hike or kayak, check the distance.
“I limit day trips to 2½ hours away so we can spend more time exploring than traveling,” she said.
A Covid-19 travel kit
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You need seven things, according to Jeff Weinstein, a paramedic and medical operations supervisor for Global Rescue.
It’s likely you already have three: masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.
Carry isopropyl alcohol wipes and use them to wipe down your phone. Major smartphone manufacturers say they won’t harm devices.
Bring some laundry detergent to wash reusable masks on overnight trips.
Fever is one Covid-19 symptom, so bring a travel thermometer to monitor your temperature.
Also consider a digital pulse oximeter, which measures your oxygen levels non-invasively. Any reading below 94% is concerning, says Weinstein. Prices range, but some are less than $30.