Traveling After (or during) Covid-19: What To Expect

For those of us itching to get back to planning trips and lounging on the beach far away from your hometown or work schedule, the overbearing thought of “how will I be able to travel again after Covid-19?” is ever present in our minds. Will it ever be deemed safe, or normal, to fly overseas or even across the country?

I wish that I had the exact answers for you, but as far as right now, no one knows when the CDC will deem it safe to travel overseas or to travel at all. Wearing face masks and gloves are ~highly suggested~ and each state has different rules, regulations and plans to return their economy to a new normal. One thing is certain, you can still fly, just take every precaution necessary. If flying and being in close quarters still freaks you out, a road trip or train-trip may be a safer (and fun) way to travel!

Keep in mind, traveling during and after a pandemic is ultimately up to the traveler and his/her needs. When the Covid-19 outbreak truly hits the downward slope and we continue to see lower numbers, be aware at how many people will be flocking to the low airfare prices and jetting off to where their heart desires. Let me state that now is not the time to be spewing words of malice or ill-intention at a person because they choose to begin traveling again. It is also not okay to poke fun or think lesser of someone who plans on not traveling until there is a vaccine.

Whether you choose to get back into traveling sooner rather than later, or you’re waiting, here are some safety and health tips to keep in mind so you can stay alert and healthy while traveling around the US and outside the US for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021.

1. Drink water, and lots of it.

   Stay hydrated while flying (or driving). Water is important for our bodies and flushing out toxins. Flying especially, dries out our sinus systems, and our skin. The air pressure flying at a high altitude can give us headaches/migraines, motion-sickness, cotton mouth and more. It is important to keep yourself hydrated while traveling to tackle your jet-lag, and keep your body and mind working properly. Skip the pop or glass of bubbly at 50,000 ft and take a reusable water bottle with you to the airport! Stay hydrated and be sustainable.

2. Maintain proper hygiene.

   Wash your hands thoroughly. Keep things out of your mouth such as your hands or objects like pens, boarding pass, passport/ID. Sometimes you may not notice that you’re doing it but it’s a habit worth stopping when your health is involved.

3. Wipe down your surroundings.

   Take a small package of disinfecting wipes in your carry-on or coat pocket and use them to wipe down the seat buckle, arm rest, seat tray or TV screen. Anything you might touch while at an airport or on a flight can be sanitized before and after you have touched it, to prevent yourself and others from carrying viruses and bacteria from one destination, to another.

4. Get your rest.

   It is important that the night before your big trip, you get adequate rest. Your body needs rest and sleep not only to function properly, but to fight off viruses. I know I struggle with the pre-trip jitters and excitement, so try packing for your trip 2-days earlier; making a game plan a few days ahead, that way the night before you can get a good nights rest before ascending into the air.

5. Boost your immunity before your trip.

   One of my favorite ways to boost immunity before a trip is by eating healthy and taking supplements such as, Vitamin C or D. My favorite types of Vitamin C immunity boosters are Airborne and Emergen-C packets. Emergen-C immune boosters contain 1,000 mg of vitamin C per packet along with other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Now if you are more of a holistic health phenom, try drinking a few glasses of orange juice and eating food rich in Vitamin C, D, E, and high in antioxidants before departing on your trip.

6. Keep your distance.

This one seems obvious, but is probably the most difficult thing to do is to try to limit yourself being in big crowds at the airport. Now I know you’re reading this and thinking: this is IMPOSSIBLE. But find a seat away from everyone at the terminal. Eat your food-court meal on the outskirts of the table sections. Do your best to limit being in big crowds for an extended period of time.

There are many more countless ways to stay healthy while traveling, but these were just a few I wanted to highlight and reiterate. Of course, people will gradually get back to their travel-bug lifestyle on their own time. You might already have a flight booked for this summer or fall, GREAT! I applaud you in being adventurous in the face of adversity and fear. But if you plan on waiting 6 months to a year to get back to flying on planes or visiting other states or countries, then that is okay as well. Not everyone is on the same time-table as you. Do what makes you happy, take extra precaution and keep your body and mind healthy so that you may enjoy second of your vacation.

If you have any health tips for traveling, leave them in the comment section below. I know there are many that I could talk about and all are valid and equally important. I’d love to hear whether you plan on traveling ASAP or if you will wait 6 months or more to travel again. Let me know your thoughts!