As more businesses and activities resume normal operations, many people are wondering whether or not it’s safe to travel internationally. In light of the shutdown, major airlines have dramatically cut their scheduled flights overseas to only major cities like Tokyo and London. Some airlines, like Jet Blue, have flown cross-country with less than a dozen passengers on board.
International Travel
Some European countries have opened their borders to neighboring countries to keep their tourism industry alive--but generally, international borders are closed for anything deemed non-essential. This means traveling any non-residents will have to jump through a lot of hoops to get into countries like Canada, the UK, and Italy.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Italy started lifting lockdown measures throughout the country but they haven’t even considered opening the country to American travelers. Any non-residents who need to get in will have to face a two-week quarantine. Parts of Iceland, Portugal, and Mexico, have said they plan to re-open later in the summer months, but there hasn’t been a single timetable presented to the public.
If you need to fly anytime this summer, the CDC wants you to know that flying requires you spent time in security lines and terminals, frequented areas with surfaces touched by every traveler coming into the airport. The ventilation systems on airplanes make it hard for germs and viruses to spread, but that doesn’t mean much on a crowded plane. Any trips to the airport increase your risk for Covid-19 exposure, so here are some precautionary tips to keep yourself safe.
Wash your hands often with water and soap. If you can’t find any soap, use a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.
Wear a mask, because most airlines will require you to wear a mask to board the plane anyway.
Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth.
Pick up food at drive-throughs, curbside restaurant service, or stores--avoid crowded restaurants and lines.
Domestic Travel
If you have plans to travel domestically this summer, there are some things you need to know. If you’re planning to travel by car, you risk exposing yourself to the virus at rest stops and hotels. You should anticipate what you’ll need during the trip, and plan to make a few detours as possible.
Make sure you have enough medicine, first aid, food, water, cloth masks, disinfectant, and cleaning supplies. If you’re staying in a hotel, wipe down any commonly-touched surfaces like tables and dressers and bathroom counters.
According to local media, in Florida “as part of Phase Two, theme parks can operate at 50 percent capacity. Universal opened at 35 percent capacity however Disney won’t begin opening its parks until July.”
As more summer vacation destinations open, following the guidelines from national and state organizations will help keep you safe. If you’re looking to rent a house on Airbnb, they have implemented a strict safety policy to protect you against exposure.