With the international crisis regarding COVID-19, also referred to as Coronavirus, you may be cancelling or rescheduling your upcoming travel plans. But if you absolutely must travel during this time, we want to help you stay healthy and safe. Here are a few tips for safeguarding yourself against COVID-19 while you travel, as well as answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the virus.
1. Increase Frequency & Duration of Handwashing
Wash your hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds frequently, not just after using the restroom, but after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, or touching things in a public space. If you aren’t able to wash your hands as frequently as you would like, carry hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol to use in between washing.
2. Avoid Crowds & Limit Close Contact in Public Spaces
While you may want to venture out of your home to stave off the boredom, try to limit your exposure to large crowds and close contact in public spaces (the CDC recommends at least six feet apart when possible, and not to gather in groups of 10 people or more until further notice). For instance, consider taking a scenic drive through Virginia instead of going to a crowded attraction. And while it may seem rude, it’s best to opt for a friendly (albeit awkward) elbow bump or verbal greeting rather than a handshake for the time being.
3. Skip Nonessential Travel
Cruises and airlines have been hit particularly hard with COVID-19, and many of the cases contracted were brought via cruise or airplane. During this time, opt for driving to your travel destinations rather than risking high exposure and larger crowds that come with airports and cruise lines. If your travel plans have options to postpone to a later date, consider staying at home during this crucial time and saving your vacation for later in the year.
4. Avoid Touching Your Face
We know it’s nearly impossible to stop touching your face entirely, as it is often an unconscious gesture, but start making an effort to notice when you are touching your eyes, nose, and mouth and limit those motions unless you’ve thoroughly washed your hands beforehand.
5. Evaluate Your Health Continuously & Stay Home If You’re Sick
Another thing that is easier said than done with many employer’s sick leave policies, but staying home when you’re sick will help COVID-19 from spreading. While test kits are still not easy to come by, be on the lookout for common COVID-19 symptoms; fever, coughing, and shortness of breath are among the first symptoms of COVID-19, but these can also be signs of the flu, so upon noticing these symptoms and if you think you may have been exposed to the virus, talk to your healthcare provider on how to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus.
6. Disinfect Surfaces
Clean and disinfect the frequently-touched surfaces in your house on a regular basis (daily is good, but the more often you can at least wipe things down, the better!), including doorknobs, light switches, countertops, phones, bathroom surfaces like toilets, faucets, and sinks, drawer handles, and tables. Clean with soap and water, then disinfect following CDC recommendations.
7. Wear a Face Mask
Please wear a mask or face covering when indoors and observe Virginia’s current safety guidelines when you travel. Check with individual businesses before visiting for additional regulations, as specific safety requirements vary widely.
For more information on the Governor’s Executive Order 63, click here. To learn more about Virginia’s COVIDWISE exposure notifications app, click here.
Frequently-Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a form of coronavirus and is a viral respiratory illness that spreads by person-to-person contact through respiratory droplets transferred in close range of an infected person, typically within six feet.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The initial symptoms include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. More extreme symptoms include difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, and bluish tint to the lips or face, and if you experience any of these symptoms, get medical attention immediately.
Who are the most vulnerable when it comes to contracting the virus?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the health risk to the average American is thought to be low at this time. Older people and people with chronic diseases such as heart and lung diseases or diabetes are at higher risk when it comes to COVID-19. These people should avoid travel whenever possible and follow all precautionary measures to prevent contracting the virus.
What should I do if I do need to travel abroad?
Specific countries are not allowing Americans to visit currently due to COVID-19. Additionally, if you do decide to keep existing travel plans, you should take every precaution to prevent exposure to the virus. Air travel and cruise travel are not suggested at this time.
How will COVID-19 affect my existing travel plans to Virginia?
The response to COVID-19 varies widely for businesses, attractions, restaurants, hotels, and events throughout the Commonwealth, so you should check individual social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages, as well as websites, to get the latest news on closures, postponements, or changes in regular business hours.
For more FAQs and information, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 informational webpage.
Suggest you update your directions regarding “Only Wear a Face Mask If You Are Ill”.
Thank you, this article was published at the beginning of COVID-19, so it needed several updates!
I’m traveling from Florida to Virginia (by car) on Sunday to stay with my son at his home. Is it OK to travel into Virginia?
I plan on vacationing on the beach in virginia in July. I already placed a deposit on the rental. As of now,would those arraignments be honored or would I have had to cancel
The Executive Order for the public health emergency is in effect until June 10 unless otherwise amended, but the reopening of the beaches and restaurants all depend on the COVID-19 case numbers, so we cannot make a guess on whether these will decline enough to have them reopened by that point. Here is the latest information from the Virginia Department of Health: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/
We have a family vacation planned for June 12th and the deposit for our vacation is due May 14th. We are trying to figure out if we should still come. Will the beaches be open and what about restaurants? We want to make a decision before our deposit is due.
The Executive Order for the public health emergency is in effect until June 10 unless otherwise amended, but the reopening of the beaches and restaurants all depend on the COVID-19 case numbers, so we cannot make a guess on whether these will decline enough to have them reopened by that point. Here is the latest information from the Virginia Department of Health: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/
I will be traveling from Colorado to Virginia this week. Before I leave I want to make sure I won’t be detoured back and that Virginia roads are open for travel.
Roads are open, however all non-essential businesses are closed and some parks have closed as well.
Hello, will be traveling to Vermont through Virginia and would like to know if there will be motels along I-81 that will be open. Thank you.
If I’m driving from South Carolina and would like to drive to VA is there a restriction as far as being able to go there without being detoured back ? Will It be safe
Not sure about NC’s highways, but Virginia’s roads are still open!