
How to handle traveling as economies reopen
Communities that have
Caribbean L 20 ife, August 7, 2020
reopened or are on the
cusp of reopening are
feeling a complicated mix of
emotions. While most people
are no doubt happy to get out
of the house, whether it’s to
return to work or visit a favorite
restaurant in person,
those same people are probably
somewhat hesitant to
stray too far from home. Such
feelings have made some wonder
if it’s safe to travel.
The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention state
that travel increases a person’s
chances of getting and
spreading COVID-19. But not
all travel is the same, and the
CDC notes there are different
levels of risk associated with
different types of travel.
• Air travel: Time spent
in security lines and airport
terminals brings travelers in
close contact with other people
and frequently touched surfaces.
While airplane cabins
are fi ltered, which makes it
diffi cult for viruses and other
germs to spread through the
air, social distancing is diffi -
cult on crowded fl ights. That
diffi culty can increase the
chances of airline passengers
spreading COVID-19 to each
other.
• Bus/train travel: Social
distancing on buses and
trains also is diffi cult, increasing
the likelihood that
COVID-19 will spread among
passengers.
• Car travel: Short car trips
can be safe, but long car trips
involve pulling over for gas,
food and restroom breaks.
That puts drivers and their
traveling companions at risk
of exposure to COVID-19 from
other travelers or contaminated
surfaces.
• RV travel: Recreational
vehicles, or RVs, are typically
equipped with restrooms and
kitchenettes, which can cut
down on the need to make potentially
risky pitstops. But
RVs also tend to be parked in
overnight RV parks so travelers
can sleep. Such places
may make travelers vulnerable
to COVID-19.
Much is still unknown
about COVID-19. In fact, many
people do not even know if
they have had the virus or
not. Scientists suspect that
millions of people have been
exposed to the virus but produced
no symptoms. Because
of that uncertainty, many
people are willing to travel as
economies reopen. The CDC
recommends that such people
adhere to local travel restrictions
and take steps to anticipate
travel needs before departing
so they can minimize
the chances that they are exposed
to the virus.
• Bring enough medicine
to last you for the entire trip.
If need be, call your physician
and request refi lls to serve as
a safety net in case medication
is lost during your travels.
• Pack enough alcoholbased
hand sanitizer (at least
60 percent alcohol) and keep it
within reach at all times during
your trip.
• Bring cloth face coverings
to wear in public places.
The CDC advises such coverings
be routinely washed, so
bring enough clean coverings
to last the trip if you will not
have access to a washer and
dryer.
• Prepare food and water
for your trip. Pack non-perishable
food in case restaurants
and stores are closed.
Travel remains risky, even
as economies reopen. People
who intend to travel can take
certain precautions to make
their trips as safe as possible.
The CDC notes there are different levels of risk associated with different
types of travel. Metro Creative Connection
Health