Travel In The Novel Coronavirus Era Is Becoming Possible
While there are many restrictions in place relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, people yearning to travel are beginning to get the opportunity.
The whole world has been in lockdown at various levels for months, but things are starting to change. Gradually, destinations around the globe are opening up again to travel. This is even so within the United States.
People are longing to stretch their legs, visit restaurants and theme parks and generally have fun. Disney is gradually opening its attractions with social distancing and safety measures in place. European destinations are also gradually opening their doors. While all this is good news, what safety measures are in place to keep you safe, and what can you do to protect yourself while traveling?
Is it safe to travel by air?
Many people are wondering if it is safe to travel on an airplane. Some planes pack passengers in like sardines – how can that possibly be safe? With the correct measures, air travel can, indeed, be safe.
Dr. Lin H. Chen, associate professor at Harvard Medical School and director of Travel Medicine Center at Mount Auburn recently spoke about the possibility of in-flight transmission. According to Dr. Chen, “data to date suggests only rare possible occurrences of in-flight transmission” of the novel coronavirus. She went on to explain that as long as everyone follows the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, any risk of transmission on airplanes is significantly reduced.
Most airports are introducing safety measures, such as protection for staff and travelers at check-in counters. Like many environments these days, airports are doing their best to minimize the risk of contagion. This includes intensive cleaning throughout public areas, bathrooms, and more.
Safety on the plane
Many airlines are reducing the number of passengers on their airplanes to allow for social distancing in the cabin. Despite this, many potential travelers believe viruses could be transmitted through the air on the plane.
According to Joe Allen, assistant professor and director of the Healthy Buildings Program at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the air quality on planes is actually very good. Allen says in reality, “high amounts of clean outdoor air and all recirculated air passes through a HEPA filter.” In fact, he says travelers are more likely to pick up the virus queuing at airport security or at the boarding gate.
Other protection in the airplane’s cabin
As reported by National Geographic, intensive cleaning is the order of the day on flights. Cabins of planes are being fogged with electrostatic disinfectant. This sticks to surfaces in the cabin, like pull-down tables, seatbelts, etc. Many airlines are offering passengers wipes to allow them to clean up. While there was a limit on the size of hand sanitizer bottles in the past, the TSA has now upped the maximum size allowed on board from 3.4 oz to 12 oz.
Passengers are required to wear a mask to board most flights and a number of airlines are checking people for fevers. Travelers will not be allowed on board with a temperature of more than 100.4 degrees F. While this method of testing isn’t completely foolproof, it does help.
Where can you travel to?
Different destinations have varying requirements when it comes to tourists. Some international destinations require proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Others test passengers on arrival at the airport or just check their temperatures. Even more, countries are requiring mandatory 14-day quarantines.
Once science comes up with a working vaccine, certification will no doubt be required when traveling by air. Always check online to find out what your desired destination requires.
Traveling to National Parks
Heading out into a national park sounds like the perfect way to avoid crowds and enjoy the great outdoors. According to Allen, being outside has many health benefits and the risks of contagion are low and very manageable. He says as long as people keep a six-foot distance from each other, it’s safe. He says a good practice would be to imagine other people are grizzly bears and keep your distance!
To see which national parks are ready for visitors, head to the find-a-park website. Here you can find out what is open and what is partially or completely closed. Important aspects are whether restrooms and food services are available.
On the subject of restrooms anywhere, the best practice is to assume they are not properly disinfected. Always treat surfaces in the restroom as if there is a live virus on them. While there is no data to show that flushing the toilet transmits the virus, a good practice would be to put the lid down prior to flushing. Obviously, hand hygiene is vital after using the restroom. Wash your hands and let them dry naturally.
Enjoy traveling this summer and take the opportunity to get away from home after all these months of quarantine.
However, remember to check up on requirements at your destination and take care while traveling there.