The 4th of July holiday has come and gone, and it left many people with the itch to get away for a few days; but vacationing during the COVID pandemic is less than ordinary. Safety is top of mind for everyone, and the uncertainty of the COVID path leaves many questions unanswered. One that is front of mind for everyone: Is it safe to travel right now?
The answer to this question can vary greatly. Many considerations come to mind: form of travel, type of lodging, vacation destination and more. And until there is an effective vaccination, it will be nearly impossible to guarantee safety in any place other than your home.
But if a getaway is what the doctor ordered; we did some research for you that will help keep your mind at ease this summer. Below you will find some of the safest pandemic vacation ideas for the family:
Stay at a house, not a hotel
Hotels require many person-to-person interactions: check-in and concierge, cleaners in your room, elevators and stairwells, and common areas such as the lobby and restaurant. Instead of booking hotel rooms, consider renting a vacation home.
Airbnb and Vrbo have stepped up their cleanliness game to help prevent the spread of COVID. From implementing mandatory cleaning protocols and checklists, to teaming up with Ecolab, to consulting with Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former U.S. Surgeon General, there is a level of expectation from every rental owner to keep vacationers safe.
Map out a road trip
Whether it be renting an RV or packing up and hitting the road in the family SUV, a road trip is fun for people of all ages. Not only does it reduce your interaction with others, it allows you to control your destination.
To help provide insight, Business Insider put together a list of 6 of the top road trips in the US and where to stay along the way.
Think nature, not city
Crisp, oxygen-filled, clean air has been good for the soul for centuries. And now, during a worldwide pandemic, the air we breathe is more important than ever. Instead of venturing to a crowd-filled city where it is nearly impossible to socially distance, consider pitching a tent to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.
Travel and Leisure put together a video titled “24 of the Most Scenic Places to Camp in the United States” that will give you a good starting point.
No better time than now to plan a staycation
We’ve all had the post-vacation blues. Exhausted, coming down off the thrill of our getaway, and looking to plan a post-trip staycation to catch up on rest. Well, what better time than now to plan some time at home? Staycations are what you make of them. You can finish up a house project you’ve been putting off for months, spend a day pampering yourself, order takeout and take a nap, or pick an outdoor quarantine activity for the whole family!
As always, it is best to monitor the regulations of your state and recommendations by the CDC. While quarantine mandates and travel restrictions are ever changing, you can follow the COVID-19 Information for Pennsylvania Travelers page on the Department of Health’s website.
