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Stay COVID-safe while traveling this summer

5 minute read
Family walking on the beach

The pandemic isn’t over. But there are ways to protect your family on vacation — whether you’re taking a road trip, traveling by train or flying.

Kate Rockwood

By Kate Rockwood

As much as we’d love to think otherwise, the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us. Over the winter, the Omicron wave swept through the U.S. population. At its peak in mid-January, this variant infected more than 800,000 people a day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

And now other more contagious versions of Omicron (subvariants BA.5 and BA.4) are making their way around the globe.

That said, we have more ways to protect ourselves than we did 2 years ago — vaccines, boosters and medications. We also know more about the virus and how to avoid getting it. That means the vacations we put on hold are now possible. (One key fact to remember: You can get COVID more than once.)

To help keep your summer plans on track without compromising your health, we spoke to experts about the best ways to travel safely.

What to do before booking your trip

Take these precautions in the weeks and months ahead of your vacation.

Make sure you’re up to date on vaccines — and boosters. The best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family is to get the COVID-19 vaccine and at least 1 booster, if you haven’t done so already. (Read our COVID-19 guide to learn more.) A second booster dose was approved in the spring by the Food and Drug Administration for older and immunocompromised people.

“It’s especially important for people above the age of 65, or who have medical conditions that might put them at higher risk,” says Prathit Kulkarni, MD. He’s an assistant professor of medicine and infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Booster recommendations can vary, so speak to your doctor about the best course of action.

From at-home tests to at-home care, the Optum Store’s COVID-19 resource center is here for you.

Check hotel policies. When choosing where to stay, look into the hotel’s COVID protocols. The Mayo Clinic recommends that you:

  • Check out the cleaning procedures
  • Ask about the vaccine, testing and isolation protocols for staff
  • Find out whether contactless payment is available
  • Ask whether any ventilation updates have been made to the rooms or common areas

Most hotel chains make this information available on the company’s website. If you’re considering renting a house, reach out to the host to find out their policies.

Book refundable flights and accommodations. It’s smart to have a contingency if plans change. If a new variant ramps up restrictions or closes borders, you’ll want to be able to postpone your visit without a hassle or losing a ton of money. Same goes if someone in your family tests positive for COVID-19 close to your departure date and you need to rebook your flight.

You might also consider picking a destination where you can afford to extend your stay if you need to quarantine. Another option is to buy travel insurance to cover any unexpected trip interruptions or delays.

Sign up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. TSA PreCheck is a program you can apply for that allows you to breeze through security without having to remove your shoes, belt, approved liquids, laptop or other electronic devices. Global Entry offers the same perks and quicker customs screening when traveling in certain countries.

These programs save you time (in a pandemic or otherwise). They also help you avoid crowded security or customs lines, where it can be difficult to keep a safe distance from fellow travelers.

Both programs involve a fee and require fingerprinting and a background check. Global Entry also requires an interview at an enrollment center, which is often done at major U.S. airports.

Precautions to take just before you depart

Right before you leave on your trip, make sure you’re healthy (and prepared for safe travel).

Get a PCR test and pack rapid antigen tests. For peace of mind, consider taking a PCR test to help ensure you’re COVID-free before you leave. And you’ll want to bring along rapid COVID-19 tests, especially if you don’t know whether you can find them while traveling, says Aaron E. Glatt, MD. He’s an infectious diseases and hospital epidemiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau in New York. You can buy rapid tests online or at brick-and-mortar drugstores.

Stock up on masks. If you plan to wear a mask indoors, pack enough to last for your entire trip. The CDC recommends a KN95 or an N95 mask, rather than a cloth one. While airlines have relaxed in-flight mask policies, wearing a mask in the airport and while you fly is still the safest option.

Buy a travel thermometer. Because fever is a common symptom of COVID-19, you’ll want to be able to check your temperature frequently if you feel unwell during your trip. Having a thermometer also means you won’t have to run out to buy one, potentially infecting others.

Check infection rates. It’s helpful to know the most recent COVID caseload at your destination. If the numbers have shot up, you may want to postpone your vacation. To find data on U.S. locations, visit the CDC’s COVID tracker. For information on destinations abroad, go to the World Health Organization’s COVID tracker.

How to stay safe during your journey

Follow these guidelines to reduce your chances of getting infected at your destination.

Don’t eat or drink on public transportation. You might be tempted to munch on a muffin while riding the tour bus or subway. But the Mayo Clinic advises against eating or drinking in confined, crowded places such as these because you’d have to remove your mask. Save your pastry for open-air spaces — and keep your mask on for the ride.

Choose outdoor dining and activities. It’s summer, after all, so eating and relaxing al fresco are likely already on your agenda. The chances of transmission are far lower in the great outdoors.

Go virtual. If you feel ill and think you may have COVID — even after taking these precautions — test yourself and get evaluated via a telehealth appointment. (You can book a same-day virtual appointment at the Optum Store.) This eases the strain on local clinics and hospitals and ensures that you’re not spreading infection. It’s also convenient, so if all you have is a common cold, you can quickly get back to your bon voyage.

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Additional sources
Omicron case numbers: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). “Trends in Numbers of COVID-19 Numbers and Deaths in the US”
COVID boosters: Food and Drug Administration (2022). “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Second Booster Dose of Two COVID-19 Vaccines for Older and Immunocompromised Individuals”
Travel guidelines: Mayo Clinic (2022). “COVID-19 travel advice”