How to Stay Safe Traveling This Holiday Season

Just when we thought we had navigated Covid-19 and the delta variant, along comes the omicron variant to try and put a damper on our holiday travel plans. Not so fast!

In general, travel is feeling a lot safer than it did a short time ago. If you are fully vaccinated and have even taken a booster, you’re not taking as much of a risk if you travel now vs not having taken the vaccine. And regardless of vaccination status, it’s advisable to take normal precautions such as avoiding indoor crowded spaces and wearing a mask indoors. So, in order to make the most out of this holiday season here are some tips on staying safe over the holiday season.

Assess the Covid-19 Situation

Be it in your own community, or where you plan on traveling to, assessing the Covid-19 situation is the first step to being informed, proactive, and aware of what your risk factors are. The good news is the number of people vaccinated continues to rise, and that is in itself is good news for everyone. The truth is we are far better off today than we were even a year ago. Do your homework before you go, know the covid-19 levels in the destination of where you are going and what the procedures are in case you do test positive. Know before you go, takes on a whole new meaning during a pandemic.

Testing is You Best Peace of Mind

Either pre, during, or post your trip, testing is one of the best ways to have peace of mind while on vacation. You not only reduce the odds of unknowingly carrying the virus while in a closed space, such as an airplane, bus, or train to a destination, but you have peace of mind knowing that you are virus-free. Plus, every destination in the world has its own set of rules to testing so keep an eye out on what you need to know and do to comply with the rules of the destination you plan to visit and upon your return back home. For example, for International travel to the U.S, all inbound travelers need to show a negative Covid-19 test result the day before departure. This rule applies to everyone entering the U.S. by air travel. That sneeze was just that. No need for panic.

Choose Carefully Transportation, Accommodations & Activities

How you go about choosing where to stay, or how you’re going to get around transportation-wise once in destination, and what activities you want to partake in may need a little more thought-out planning than perhaps you used to. That is if you want to lower your risks and take all precautions. Thinking through the number of places and the number of interactions with crowds, or which transportation options minimize your risk. Choose private or semi-private tours when possible. When eating out try to be in open-air spaces as much as possible allowing for air circulation. The bottom line is while being vaccinated lowers the risk of getting seriously ill, there is still that slight chance. Stay Vigilant.

Relax and have a great time on Holiday

Relax as much as you can and know that you have done everything to be as careful as possible. Plus, getting out and about again will not only help you, but it also helps those patrons which you visit and the economy of the destination. The world of travel as we know it will only get safer and safer and in due time all of the world will get out traveling again. Which in retrospect means the right time to get out and travel is now! Be it a faraway trip or a quick domestic stateside visit enjoy your holiday season traveling safely.