Travel has been put on hold for many of us and Team Ourisman is doing everything in our power to make sure your rescheduled trip or future trips are even more special, and more importantly safe and healthy. While it seems like recommendations to travel or not travel right now are changing by the minute, there are guidelines you can follow to keep yourself safe. So whether you’re traveling soon or your travel plans can wait until COVID-19 cases subside, your health is our top concern and we will continue to help guide you in making informed decisions while keeping the trip planning process fun! When you travel, here are a few important tips to keep yourself safe and healthy.
- Do some research in advance on the destination you are visiting:
- The CDC issues guidelines based on levels 1-3. Level 3 being countries that should be avoided for all nonessential travel. You should also find out what the COVID-19 outbreak is like where you’re going. Johns Hopkins provides a very detailed map of the world and links to individual country’s health services pages, which will be useful in planning your travel. Johns Hopkins also has a detailed map of the United States if your travel is domestic. https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
- It is also important to know whether or not you will have to stay at home for 14 days upon your return if needed. If a quarantine is implemented where you are planning on traveling, we are happy to reschedule your reservations to a new set of dates to avoid any potential quarantine upon arrival or return.
- Keep your immune system strong even before you travel:
- Adequate sleep, healthy eating, regular exercise, and stress management all can go a long way in keeping your immune system strong even before you start your journey.
- Flying, it’s smart to be prepared:
- 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. So if possible, check-in online so you can avoid touching kiosk screens and interactions with people.
- Wear a mask, wear gloves, limit your interactions with people and shared items, maintain social distance, be mindful not to touch your face, and—as always—wash your hands!
- The TSA allows you to bring 12 ounces of hand sanitizer in your carry-on. So, don’t think that you need to ration your hand sanitizer use!
- Research what your airline is doing in regards to precautions with COVID-19 as well as the necessary disinfecting procedures they are taking post and pre-flights. Airlines such as Airlines for America (A4A)—which include Delta, JetBlue, American, United, Southwest, Hawaiian, and Alaskan Airlines, are in fact, requiring passengers and staff to wear masks all the way through from check-in, boarding and deplaning—as well as using precautionary tactics such as back-to-front boarding, staggering passengers, and not selling middle seats.
- Take a road-trip!
- If you want a vacation, but would rather not fly, go for a road trip! There are so many hotels within drivings distance that are open and ready for your arrival! Lucky for you, we partner with hotels all over the States and can guarantee there is a paradise waiting for you.
- Be in the know on how Hotels are keeping guests safe:
- As travel restrictions lift and hotels open back up, travelers can expect to see housekeeping front and center in hotels. Many hotels are implementing rigorous cleaning protocols and mandating waiting periods after rooms are vacated.
- Apps will be used more often for touch-less check-in or even contact-free room service.
- Some hotels will use thermal imagining to perform discreet temperature checks. Others may require a temperature check upon arrival, and most will require employee temperature checks on a regular basis.
- There will be hand sanitizer stations and welcome amenities may include protective and sanitizing products.
- Ask one of our sales coordinators what protocols are being implemented at a hotel you wish to visit! Team Ourisman is happy to share resources with our clients to keep you in the know.
- Manage expectations:
- Expect fewer services at hotels, limited seating in bars and restaurants, capacity limitations at pools. Hotel restaurants may require you to use an app or provide a digital menu.
- Consider if you would potentially be in large gatherings that would put you or your travel companions at greater risk.
- This is all an adjustment, and we will do everything we can to keep you updated.
- Decompress:
- Given how stressful the news is these days it’s natural to feel concerned and anxious – but it’s also important to not let those feelings overwhelm you. Selfcare is very important and so is finding what works best for you, whether that be taking a few deep breaths, a break from the news and social media, or making sure you get daily exercise. If and when you do travel, you can decompress by giving yourself some pampering and book a spa appointment! Ourisman Pro Tip: We can help coordinate your spa reservations.
It is a privilege and a pleasure to navigate this breathtaking, unpredictable world of ours with you. If you have any questions, we are here for you. Please send us an email at [email protected] and remember that we are happy to connect with you about your travel dreams.
