Before COVID-19 turned our lives upside down, many of us had travel plans for 2020 that were supposed to be our best ones yet. We were entering a new decade and were ready to check things off our bucket list. Well, that didn’t go as planned. While I was bummed our trip to Norway was postponed to 2021 (hopefully!), we’re finally now able to take small trips that, with the help of a face mask and lots of hand sanitizer, won’t jeopardize our wellbeing. In just two weeks, my family and I will be escaping the humid weather in South Florida and heading to the mountains of North Carolina. And yes, there is a part of me that’s slightly hesitant. However, there are certain measures we’re incorporating into our upcoming travels that will ensure we’re protected against the risk of COVID-19 as much as possible, including:
Wearing a mask in public: Whether we’re in the Uber, airport, walking to our car or waiting for a table at the restaurant, I’m not letting my guard down. Wearing a mask in public is nothing new and there’s no reason to not follow protocol while on vacation. It’s also important to point out that most venues require masks to be worn, so this will be a no brainer.
Renting a car: Ditching public transportation and avoiding Uber or Lyft are great ways to further protect yourself while on vacation this year. We’ve opted to rent a car that we’ll have to ourselves throughout the entire duration of our trip. We’ll also be sure to wipe down the steering wheel, door handles and other high touch surfaces before jumping on board.
Avoiding tourist traps: While most destinations have a museum, festival or restaurant that is considered a “must-see”, we’re staying away from those. This is not the time to be inside crowded spaces nor decide to tour the most popular spot with people from different parts of the country congregating in one place and breathing the same air.
