If you plan to travel this winter, you will need to take additional precautions thanks to the ongoing COVID pandemic. This goes for whether you take a road trip for the holidays or you take a plane to visit family. Most of the precautions you should be taking are really about common sense, but it still pays to know these helpful tips.

 

Bring Your Mask

You don’t necessarily need to wear your mask when you’re driving or in the passenger seat of a car, but you should always have it with you. Assume that you will need to stop somewhere for gas, a bathroom break, or groceries even if you don’t plan on doing so. When you do stop, put on your mask before you leave your vehicle, and certainly before you go inside anywhere.

If you’re flying, expect to keep your mask almost the entire time. You should wear it when you check in with airport security, and you should be wearing it on the plane itself. You’re breathing recirculated air on a plane, so covering your mouth to avoid spreading or contracting the coronavirus is a must.

 

Keep Your Distance

Once again, keeping your distance from others won’t be difficult if you’re driving. On the other hand, it will be difficult if you’re boarding a plane. Remain at least six feet from everyone when you’re standing in line waiting to check-in at the airport, and keep at least one open seat between you and anyone in your row while you’re in the air.

 

Wash Your Hands

Be sure to wash your hands frequently. You should be washing your hands before and after going out into public, before and after eating a meal, and after using the bathroom. Use soap and water, and rub your hands for at least 20 seconds. If it helps, sing “Happy Birthday” twice while you wash your hands; it should equal out to around 20 seconds. If you find that you cannot wash your hands, keep some hand sanitizer ready to go. It’s not as effective as washing your hands with soap and water, but it does help sanitize your hands and prevent COVID from spreading.