[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Updated: Thursday — November 12th, 2020
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][qode_advanced_image_gallery type=”carousel” enable_image_shadow=”no” space_between_items=”normal” number_of_visible_items=”3″ slider_loop=”yes” slider_autoplay=”yes” slider_navigation=”yes” slider_pagination=”yes” images=”2727,2728,2729″ image_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]
What is arguably the most universal holiday tradition?
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]You guessed it – gathering with family and friends, and it may look a little different this year.
Ultimately, your choice to travel this season depends on your level of comfortability. If you plan to travel during the holidays, we’ve got the resources and tips to help you make informed decisions.
Read on to learn more as you start confirming travel plans.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#4a0d66″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]
Let’s first check out a couple travel trends from earlier in 2020:
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]On the positive side, hotel and flight prices are at an all-time love. Seeing your family & friends is more accessible now than ever before.
On the cautious side, experts say to keep gathering small, avoid crowds/contract, wear your mask, and ‘stay safe’.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#4a0d66″][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text]
Protecting yourself if you decide to travel
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]You can always expect holiday crowds in high traffic zones at the airport. With everything going on around us, you may want to review various safeguards for ideas on what else you should expect.
Before making travel plans you should:
- Assess your own risk and vulnerabilities.
- Assess the risk of the people that you are traveling to see
- Research the COVID-19 levels in the area you are traveling to
- Be prepared for enhanced healthy screening at the airport
- Be ready to sign health waivers and get your temperature scanned at various checkpoints.
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#4a0d66″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]
“There will always be some risk of exposure to infections when traveling over the holidays, but there are simple things people can do to make it as safe as possible.”
Dr. Roy Benaroch
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#4a0d66″][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_single_image image=”2730″ img_size=”500X400″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border” border_color=”orange” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#4a0d66″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]
Hitting the road, rail, or air?
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2731″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space height=”75px”][vc_column_text]There are only three speeds: Fast, very fast, and oh snap!
By Car – pedal to the metal? You’ll still need to make stops for breaks, gas, and food along the way. Here are some tips on how you can minimize interaction with other travelers:
- Washing your hands thoroughly, especially after pumping gas/touching public doors
- Keeping hand sanitizer in stock in your vehicle
- Bringing your own food and having a picnic at a park along the way.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2733″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space height=”75px”][vc_column_text]By Air – A recent article from Business Traveller discusses the effectiveness of upgraded aircraft cleaning measures. Although airline prices are cheap right now, keep in mind it’s hard to control what’s going on around you at an airport or on a plane. Consider these practices if you decided to board that plane to Grandma’s house:
- Avoiding layovers to reduce travel time and exposure
- Choosing a seat away from congested areas
- Skipping the checked bag to avoid waiting in a crowd for your luggage
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2732″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space height=”75px”][vc_column_text]By Train – Some passengers are opting to buy train tickets and save their airline or rental car miles for another time. In line with this, Amtrak has commuted to making their experience safer by:
- Implementing several stringent new policies
- Limiting their ticket sales on reserved services to allow for social distancing
- Allowing passengers to reserve entire cars to themselves
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#4a0d66″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]
Check That Expiration Date:
Is your airline voucher from a canceled trip about to expire?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#4a0d66″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]
Headed to a holiday hot spot?
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Holiday get-togethers may be safer in areas where infections are minimal, although the standard precautions still apply:
- Pay attention to COVID-19 red zones
- Wear masks to reduce the risk of infection (check out Face Coverings 101 for a refresher)
- Consider keeping gatherings limited to your go-to gang
Dr. Thomas Russo, Chief of the Division of Infectious disease at SUNY Buffalo, told Business Insider:
“If you’re going to put yourself in situations where you’re going to increase your risk, you should choose wisely. What are those activities that are most necessary and most important to you?”
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#4a0d66″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]
“If you are considering staying in a hotel during this time, take extra precaution and ask the hotel management about its COVID-19 risk mitigation controls before booking your stay. And when checking in to a hotel, take a look around and make sure the hotel has adequate processes in place to minimize COVID risk.”
Lisa Yakas, Microbiologist
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#4a0d66″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]
Hotels vs. Staying with Relatives
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The verdict is still out. Which is safer – staying in a hotel where you might have more control of your environment, or staying with a family member or friend? The question gets trickier when you consider alternative lodging options like AirBnB, who recently announced a new mandate surrounding COVID-19 safety practices.
Hotels – They are working around-the-clock to ensure they are providing safe accommodations, especially now. Still, there are risks involved with sharing spaces. Here are some precautionary tips if you do decide to book a stay:
- Disinfect high-touch areas like phones, remotes, door handles, bathroom faucets, and surfaces
- Request extra towels and toiletries on arrival to keep housekeeping visits at a minimum
- Ask your hotel if they offer grab-ng-go meals to minimize exposure in communal eating spaces
Staying with family or friends – One best practice to consider is quarantining for 14 days before visiting or receiving guests; however, easier said than done. Here are a few questions you can think about as you prepare:
- Where is everyone gathering? Indoor or outdoor?
- How long will you be there?
- How many people are going to be there?
- Where are people traveling from? Who have they been around?
Whether you’re going to see family for the holidays or itching for a getaway check out 6 safe, expert-backed ways to vacation during the pandemic.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#4a0d66″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_single_image image=”2734″ img_size=”500X400″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border” border_color=”orange” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#f5b21d” thickness=”2″ up=”20″ down=”20″][vc_column_text]
RELATED POSTS
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]
BACK TO NEWS 
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
