Is it Safe to Travel in the Age of COVID-19?

As lockdown restrictions ease up around the country, health experts share their input on travel and how to make vacationing as safe as possible.

July 15, 2020 3:00 PM

Author | Parnaz Hojjati

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The number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have been increasing daily at the highest rate since the pandemic began. Despite this, with lockdown restrictions loosening around the country, many have found themselves booking beach vacations or traveling to see friends and family. Though cities and businesses are beginning to open up, health experts say traveling is still something we must do with major caution.

"Many things have not changed in terms of COVID, we still don't necessarily have a treatment for it. It's still quite rampant and worse in some parts of the country," says Payal K. Patel, M.D., an infectious disease and internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine.

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Despite this, if you do choose to travel this summer, Patel advises avoiding large groups of people. Instead, traveling with your household and keeping your circle small lowers your risk of infection and the chances of infecting others. This could come in the form of road tripping, short day trips, camping or any activities that involve minimal contact with others.

So which form of transportation is safest? Patel says that while traveling, we should be cautious of any public transportation.

"If you are going to have to use an airplane or train… the biggest thing I would recommend is not just wearing a mask, but considering eye protection, too," she says. This can include face shields, glasses or goggles, and generally avoiding touching your eyes or face, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Therefore, traveling by car becomes the safest option— though this comes with the potential risk of public rest stops. Health officials say it is safe to use public restrooms, so long as individuals wash their hands with soap and water and touch as few surfaces as possible.

"It's okay to use a public bathroom; the key is washing your hands as much as you can," Patel explains. She recommends dodging any surfaces and washing hands with soap and water often, and even proposes carrying a bottle of soap on your trip to wash your hands whenever there is water or a sink nearby.

Your risk is much lower if you are able to avoid the three Cs, which are closed spaces, crowds and close contact.
Payal K. Patel, M.D.

Because COVID-19 is mainly thought to be spread between people who are in close contact, health officials also suggest socially distancing in line for the restroom and generally remaining cautious of the virus at public rest stops.

When you arrive at your destination after these travels, the safety precautions shouldn't stop. Patel recommends self-isolation as the best thing to do once you arrive, and following CDC guidelines.

"Try to stay at home as much as possible for those 14 days as recommended," she suggests. "If you start having any symptoms of a cold or a cough or some of the things that you would normally try to walk off… it's important to try to ride that out at home if it is safe to do so or call your doctor if you have any questions."

The topic of travel will continue to be a fluid situation throughout the year, according to Patel. Americans should continue to keep an eye out for hotspots and any increase in cases and utilize as many safety precautions as possible during their travels.

Though restrictions are loosening around the country, there is no clear and definite answer of what is perfectly safe to do at the moment, Patel says. Staying home is still the safest option, and any departure from the home includes some level of risk. It is up to the individual to weigh these risks and get the most out of their summer, while still keeping themselves and those around them safe from the virus.

Get more travel advice during the COVID-19 pandemic from the CDC.