Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
You can get COVID-19 during your travels. You may feel well and not have any side effects or symptoms, however, you can even now spread COVID-19 to other people. You and your friends (counting youngsters) may spread COVID-19 to others including your family and companions for 14 days after you were exposed to the virus.
Don’t travel if you are sick or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Don’t travel with someone who is sick.
Before You Travel
Before you travel, consider the following:
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Is COVID-19 spreading at your destination?
The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get infected during travel and spread the virus to others when you return. - Do you live with someone who might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19? If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the virus to loved ones when you return, even if you don’t have symptoms.
- Does your destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Some state, nearby, and regional governments have prerequisites, for example, expecting individuals to wear cover masks and requiring the individuals who as of late ventured out to remain at home for as long as 14 days. Check state, regional, ancestral, and nearby general public health sites for data before you travel.
If You Travel
During your trip, take steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:
- Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
- Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arms’ length) from anyone who is not from your household.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
- Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Considerations for Types of Travel
Travel increases your odds of getting and spreading COVID-19. Travel increases your odds of getting and spreading COVID-19. Your chances of getting COVID-19 while traveling also relies upon whether you and everyone around you take steps to ensure yourself as well as other people, for example, wearing mask covers and remaining 6 feet from individuals outside your family unit (social distancing).
Airports and terminals, transport stations, train stations, and rest stops are all places travelers can be exposed to the virus in the air and on surfaces.
Air Travel
Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes. However, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and sitting within 6 feet of others, sometimes for hours, may increase your risk of getting COVID-19.
You can use wipes to clean surfaces next to your airplane seats, and other travel accessories such as our Travel Arm Guard to reduce the risk of getting the virus from the public surface such as the seat armrest.
Bus or Train Travel
Traveling on buses and trains for any length of time can involve sitting or standing within 6 feet of others, which may increase your risk of getting COVID-19. If you choose to travel by bus or train, learn what you can do to protect yourself on public transportation.
Tips to avoid getting and spreading COVID-19 in common travel situations:
In public:
- Wear a mask in public settings, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from anyone who is not from your household.
Bathrooms and rest stops:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom and after you have been in a public place.
- If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Anticipate Your Travel Needs
- Bring a mask to wear in public places and on public transportation.
- Pack hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Keep this within reach.
- Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip.
- Pack food and water in case restaurants and stores are closed, or if drive-through, take-out, and outdoor-dining options aren’t available.
- If you are considering cleaning your travel lodgings.