How to Stay Safe if You’re Traveling During the Pandemic

Even before the pandemic, transportation, accommodations, and people-to-people interactions presented by traveling can be a bit of a challenge to germaphobes.

However, you don’t have to be a germaphobe to feel uneasy about airplane cleanliness, especially during a pandemic. It’s understandable to freak out at the thought of being trapped in a pressurized cabin filled with recycled air, filthy seats, and mere inches between you and your neighbor – so here’s how you can travel a bit more at ease these days.

1. Get Travel Insurance. Before you travel, make sure to get full-coverage travel insurance – nobody wants to get caught in a bad situation.
2. Maintain a Safe Distance. Social distancing from others is a great way to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria when traveling. Most places have floor markings to help you space out, but if you need a quick way to remember how far to stay away from someone just imagine a couch being in between you.

3. Wear a Mask! Make sure you’re always wearing a face covering in public spaces, and remember they protect both you and the people around you. If you need to remove your mask to eat or drink, or while traveling through airport security, first sanitize your hands, then remove your mask.

4. Wash Your Hands. A lot. Washing your hands regularly can help to reduce the transfer of germs and bacteria, so scrub a dub dub all day long.
5. Have Hand Sanitizer Handy. Spray hand sanitizer or sanitizer gel is perhaps the easiest foray into germ protection—but it is still extremely important, especially when traveling. While washing your hands with soap and water is always preferred, hand sanitizer is ideal for the times when you can’t.
6. Sanitizer Wipes are Your Friend. Lots of transportation companies are investing in more frequent, and deeper cleans but for complete peace of mind, a pack of sanitizing wipes (or two) is a great addition to your hand luggage. Wipe down the tray table, seatback pocket, armrest, seatbelt, and the headrest. For good measure, I may also spray my hand sanitizer too. While it may sound extreme, but it’s highly unlikely that these areas were wiped down in-between flights—and nobody wants to share dandruff or eat off a tray table where someone changed baby diapers (yes, this happens – check out @passengershaming).
   I’ve looked like an idiot, but it makes me feel secure. Plus, sanitizer wipes are easy to carry around and can also help you clean your face and hands, a much-needed refresher after a flight.
7. Avoid the Middle Seat. There are a gazillion reasons to avoid the middle seat, but let’s add the pandemic to that list. The biggest threat to your health on planes is presented by the people sitting in the two rows around you—not the air itself, which is cleaned by HEPA filters. Sitting between two people, you’re doubling your chance of getting stuck next to someone who could pass on an illness – so it’s best to avoid it.
8. Bring Your Blanket. Before the pandemic, it was rumored that airplane-provided blankets and pillows were not washed in between flights. Gross! While I hope that this has changed now, it’s a safer bet to bring your own.
9. Stay Hydrated and Active. It’s important to stay hydrated and to keep your circulation healthy. While you can’t bring your own water through security (unless it’s frozen – PRO TIP), you can purchase a bottle in the airport before boarding or bring a reusable water bottle from home and fill it at a drinking fountain. Add a pair of compression socks to your bag to promote healthy blood flow, too.
10. Research. Unexpected discoveries are one of the best parts of exploring a new location. It’s definitely still possible to find some hidden gems, but if you’re particularly set on seeing a certain sight or visiting a hotspot, check to ensure they’re open.
11. Enjoy Outdoor Spaces. One of the best ways to enjoy a new destination is to explore the natural landscape, and staying outdoors is one of the best ways to ensure you have plenty of space and less chance of transferring germs.
12. Be Patient. There’s a lot of new rules and regulations being introduced on a daily basis and a little extra patience can go a long way – especially those who might be finding travel confusing or stressful right now.