GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – With coronavirus vaccinations ramping up, many people are looking forward to traveling again. This may mean planning a summer vacation or even a spring break trip. But the pandemic isn’t over yet, and there are still multiple risks associated with traveling – both to your health and your wallet.
The Better Business Bureau says it’s important to understand those risks and minimize them if possible, even if that means delaying plans.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out that “COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are extremely high across the United States.” Since travel increases your risk of infection, CDC recommends delaying unnecessary travel plans to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. In addition, if anyone in your household or at your travel destination is at high risk of infection, everyone in the household should act as if they, themselves are at increased risk of infection.
But if you’re going no matter what, it’s important to research travel restrictions.
“Check out all of the federal, state, and local recommendations and restrictions. [Know] all of the restrictions for any state that you may be traveling through if you’re driving to that destination,” said Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau. “That’s going to tell you what’s open and what kind of stay at home orders they have. Is the pool open? Is that tourist attraction that you’re planning on going to, open? Is the beach open? All of those things, you’re going to want to know ahead of time.”
Visit the U.S. State Department’s “Know Before You Go” page and the CDC Travel Planner to get up-to-date information on COVID-19 related travel restrictions as you plan your trip and as your travel dates approach.
It’s also important to be flexible and plan ahead.
“Have flexible travel plans. Make sure before you sign any contract or agreement with any airline, hotel, or car rental place, that those plans can be changed or canceled without penalty,” Bach told WTAQ News. “It might cost you a little bit more, but flexibility really is key during a pandemic. You want to make sure that you won’t be charged if your plans cancel last minute.”
Planning ahead also includes ensuring you have everything you might need before hitting the road.
“Pack a pandemic bag, [including things] like hand sanitizer, facemasks, disinfecting wipes, a thermometer, your health insurance card, hand soap,” Bach said. “And also plenty of snacks and drinks and activities for kids, so that you don’t have to make too many unnecessary stops in public places.”
Outdoor-based vacations tend to lend themselves to lower risk of potential virus spread, as opposed to hitting up the casinos in Vegas or another tight-spaced option.
“The lowest risk would be to do a vacation that is outdoors, like hiking or camping at a national or state park. That’s a great way to enjoy the warmer weather, but yet still be naturally socially distanced,” Bach said. “If you are going to book a campsite though, you should do that well in advance because those things tend to book fast.”
For more information on tips and things to know before traveling during a pandemic, head to BBB.org.
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