Coronavirus made road trips 2020’s summer holiday of choice – here’s 8 tips to staying safe and Covid-19-free on the roads
Grounded flights, social distancing and quarantine measures mean foreign holidays are out this summer, but across the world and in the US especially, drivers are turning to their cars to hatch a DIY escape – but even travelling in your own vehicle doesn’t guarantee a Covid-19-free getaway
For much of the world this summer, flying to a destination holiday is likely off the table. Analysts have warned that air travel demand won’t go back to pre-outbreak levels until at least midway through next year.
Instead, a recent survey conducted by the US Travel Association and MMGY Travel Intelligence found that 67 per cent of Americans are likely to travel with their personal cars during the next six months – which is “more than double the percentage planning to travel by air during the same time period.”
So, that means a return to the all-American road trip. “Road trips are forms of travel and movement …” Stanford University American history professor Allyson Hobbs told PBS in 2017. “Travel is a social and cultural practice that Americans have used to construct ideas about themselves, their society, the past, and the future.”
But folks looking to protect themselves against the virus know that it won’t be a simple return to the road. There are safety measures to be kept in mind. Precautions to be taken. Plans to be made.
Also, understand that taking a road trip might not be feasible for every household. It’s tempting to get away for a bit, but when you come in contact with others or go to highly trafficked places, your exposure to the virus might increase.
Here’s a checklist on how to safely road-trip this summer during the pandemic.
Plan your route and location
Despite many places opening back up for business in the US, this does not signal an end to the pandemic. You can still contract the virus, which is why it’s especially important to plan ahead.
Map out which roadways and states you will pass through, recommends AARP. There might be relevant travel advisories you need to be aware of, such as changes to toll collection and rest-area food sales.