By Ally
This isn’t the best time to be traveling, but the pandemic hasn’t stopped some people from doing so. I, for one, am guilty of this. Two weeks ago I took my first trip since COVID for a family friend’s wedding. I was nervous and had a lot of anxiety before going on this trip. I would check the state’s COVID cases daily and the more their cases went up, the higher my anxiety got. I read news articles on how the pandemic was affecting the city I was going to and what their rules were. Although it’s good to stay informed of current events, it can take a toll on your mental health.
What also made me anxious was knowing I would be staying at a hotel. The comfort I did have though was knowing I wouldn’t be on a plane and instead would be driving. I made sure I had all the necessary items, such as hand sanitizer; disinfecting wipes; masks; gloves and other cleaning supplies. (Shoutout to my cousin for bringing fabric disinfecting spray.)
Thinking of taking a road trip? Here are seven tips on how to safely take a road trip during this pandemic.
Check State & City Regulations
It’s smart to check state and city regulations before your trip. Each state is different, so check the travel guidelines in the state and cities you’ll be driving through and staying in. Be aware of your own state’s regulations too. Some states order travelers to quarantine for 14 days.
Get Your Car Ready For The Road
Make sure your car is ready for a road trip. Check your tires and their pressure. Listen to and feel the brakes, check the car battery, engine oil and other fluids. Also make sure you know who to call in case you need roadside assistance.
I rented a car and was nervous because I didn’t know how clean it would be. Even though the rental place cleaned and disinfected the car, I still wanted to disinfect it myself. (Good thing I did because I found food and other items in the car.) It’s good to disinfect your car after your trip too.
Bring Cleaning Supplies
Bringing cleaning supplies is a must. Hand sanitizer, disinfecting and alcohol wipes, gloves–whatever you got, bring it. Before unpacking my things in my hotel room, I sprayed my bed and wiped down the room. (I even brought my pillow and flat sheet cause I wasn’t sure how clean the bed was.)
Pack Food & Drinks
Can’t get through a road trip without packing food and drinks. Especially now, it’s best to not have as much interaction with others as much as possible. If you do stop by a restaurant, order take out instead of dining in. (I’m all for staying hydrated, but during road trips, I don’t drink much water because I don’t want to take a lot of bathroom breaks.)
Wear A Mask
Seriously, wear a mask! Please do not forget to pack a mask, plus some. Remember social distance when you’re out.
Plan Your Stops
It’s good to plan your route and where you’d like to make stops. If there are places you want to visit before arriving at your final destination, check how far off route it is and if there’s construction or detours. You should also avoid using public bathrooms if you can help it. You don’t need to be in more spaces that have a lot of germs and bacteria.
Wash Hands Frequently
Just a reminder to always wash your hands. You’ll be snacking in the car, getting gas and making pit stops. Your hands will be touching all sorts of things, so keep them clean. If you can’t get the chance to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer or wipes.
When you return home, disinfect your items before bringing them into your house. You want to limit the risk of having viral particles enter your home. Once I got home, I sprayed all my things before bringing them inside. Everything from my suitcase to my bags and pillow. I left them at the front door and immediately hopped into the shower.
Since you just went on a road trip, you should quarantine for 14 days to make sure you didn’t get the virus and spread it to others. Especially if you just came back from places with high case rates. It might be difficult due to work and living with other people, but keep your distance as much as possible.
Hopefully, you find these tips useful as you prepare for a road trip. Remember to travel with the appropriate precautions, maintain physical distance, wear a mask and think about the risk to yourself and others if you travel. You might be taking a vacation, but the pandemic doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.
