A short get away from home will not do much harm. However, staying safe and healthy may be a bit of a challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you are heading to the beach, the mountains or desert, there will still be social distancing guidelines in place in many states. Now more than ever is a time to sit down and do more planning and preparation for your trip.
Some essential things to pack for your trip that will help you stay safe are hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, gloves, and face masks. In addition, pack some nonperishable snacks, water, and trash bags by doing so will reduce the number of stops along the way, therefore, decreasing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Along the way there will be rest stops. Be mindful of how you can avoid exposing yourself to germs while using the restrooms. Use paper towels to open and close the door, and most importantly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
At the gas station, pay with a credit card rather than cash. After you use your credit card make sure to wipe down with a disinfecting wipe. Also, wear disposable gloves and once you are done pumping you can discard the gloves at the nearest trash can.
Some states have allowed for dine-in services, other states outside dining, or only take-out and drive-through services. The best and safest idea will be to dine in your vehicle. Create new and fun memories with your loved ones along the way. Allow yourself to get creative such as pop open your trunk and use the trunk space as a table along with some camp chairs for seating. The short stop will allow you and your passenger to simply take a break.
Lastly, spend some time planning your sleeping accommodations. Be sure to check which hotels or motels will remain open during your travel dates. If you plan to stay more than one night, it might be safer to pass on housekeeping in order to minimize the number of people in and out of your room.
Your road trip vacation will certainly be different than any previous road trips before the COVID-19 pandemic. Do not forget to take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy your trip but most importantly create memories with your loved ones.
Disclaimer: While we always seek to establish accuracy when publishing articles, this piece is not intended to provide legal advice, and should not be used as such. Each individual case will differ and should be discussed with an attorney or legal expert. If you would like to inquire about pursuing a claim, please contact us at (858) 252-0781 or email brett@acclaimlaw.com.