10 Things To Keep In Mind While Planning A Road Trip During The Pandemic
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Although the pandemic may still be ongoing, many of us have been stuck inside our homes and are probably looking forward to unwinding for a while. For all you travel bugs out there, fear not, there are still plenty of careful ways in which you can travel during a pandemic. We would advise you to stick to neighbouring states and holiday destinations to avoid taking a flight or another mode of public transport. It’s a safer idea to take your own car or even a hired taxi from your home state. So if you’re looking to travel around your home state and other neighboring places, here is some travel advice that will make sure you reach your destination as safely as possible:
1. Pre-book Your Hotel
While you should preferably be pre-booking your hotel well in advance even when there is no pandemic, we would advise you to be especially careful during this pandemic. Rather than assuming that you won’t be in a situation where you have to pre-book a hotel, go ahead and do it ahead of time. Make sure you check out the reviews and see if you can get any recommendations from other close friends.
2. Read Up On Any Permits You May Require
When you travel across state lines during the pandemic you will have to read up on the permits you will require for your car to travel within the other state. This can cost anywhere between a thousand to three thousand rupees. Make sure that you’ve noted down states you’ll be traveling through even if you won’t be making too many stops in them. This is a crucial factor to note down while traveling in a hired vehicle or even your own.
3. Find Out How Much Internet Connectivity Is Present In The Area
Sure getting away from the city life is kind of like taking a nice break from reality but you will need the internet if you have to travel within the place you are planning on staying in. Even if it is for short durations, you will require all the locations on your phone as well as on a physical map if you can purchase one at your hotel.
4. Carry The Necessary Sanitary Equipment And A First-Aid Kit
Besides extra sets of masks, you should also stock up on sanitary equipment like disinfectant spray, hand sanitizer and any other equipment you may need. It’s also important to carry an emergency first aid kit along with you in case you have a mishap while traveling on the road trip. Even if your hotel is a five star hotel and keeps all the necessary first-aid, it’s a good idea to keep a kit in your car itself.
5. Avoid Making Too Many Stops
Yes, we understand that food breaks and bathroom breaks are important but if the journey is not too long, try avoiding making unnecessary stops along the way. Especially if you are taking a crowded highway route with tonnes of truck stops along the way. It’s also a good idea to look at the number of restroom and restaurant stops along your route and plan strategically beforehand.
6. Download The Map On Your Phone In Case You Lose Internet
You absolutely do not want to get lost in a state where people do not speak the same language as you. Trust us when we tell you to keep the map of your route downloaded safely or even better, a physical map of the route. This is always an excellent idea because you will be able to navigate with sign boards as well (if you’re taking a main road or a highway).
7. Check The Weather Forecast Beforehand
Nothing like landing at the beach while a pending tropical cyclone approaches, right? Well if you don’t want to make the same mistakes that we did, make sure you check the weather updates consistently for at least a week leading up to your trip. Prepare for the worst and be surprised when (or if) it doesn’t happen.
8. While Traveling, Avoid Crowded Restaurants
Crowded restaurants are a cesspool for infections. No matter how much the staff sanitizes it, you cannot control the behaviors of other travelers and pilgrims on their own trips. This is why it’s a good idea to avoid places that are too crowded and absolutely avoid fast food chains altogether (unless it’s a drive-through). While there is nothing wrong with eating fast food, most large families will flock to these chains and thus make it quite unsafe.
9. After Using A Public Restroom Wash Hands Thoroughly
It goes without saying that you should ensure your hands are squeaky clean each time you use a public restroom. We need to be extremely careful while traveling and make sure that we sanitize everything. Make sure you carry a small toilet spray to sanitize your seat or carry some tissue papers and hand sanitizer to wipe it down. Once you’re done with your business, dispose of everything in the nearest dustbin, scrub your hands like your life depends on it (carry an emergency soap or soap paper) and rush out of that washroom!
10. Find Out The Hotel’s Sanitary Procedures
It’s totally understandable if you want to speak to the hotel staff about the sanitary measures that they follow. It’s important that your safety is a priority and it is crucial that you know about the safety measures well before you plan your trip. While enquiring about reservations, you should ask them if they can show you a demonstration of their safety and sanitation procedures before you arrive.
All in all, it is important that you and your loved ones have a safe and pleasant trip. Don’t stress out too much but make sure that you’re taking as many safety precautions as possible. Ensure your masks are on every time you exit your vehicle or enter a crowded area and avoid interacting with members of the public. Do let us know your thoughts on this article in the comment section below!
