Hello, I’ve gotten asked a lot of questions about travel during this pandemic time, so here’s everything that I’ve experienced so far from using rideshares to air travels. Hope this helps with any questions or nerves that you may have!
Disclaimer: I do want to say that I am just sharing my experiences with traveling and that I’m not promoting or against anyone who decided traveling during this time is not for them. It’s really up to you and if you feel comfortable enough to travel right now, but if you really need too that this will be a nice guide for you. Thanks!
Rideshares/Ubers/Lyfts/Rentals:
All of these vehicles transportations are pretty much the same as before with the additional rule of wearing your mask the whole ride. All my drivers wear their mask as well. My concern is how the drivers clean or disinfect the car in between rides or if the drivers even follow through with it. I do always carry hand sanitizer with me and sanitize my hands before getting into the car and after getting out. Rental cars on the other hand, are definitely sanitized between customers. It’s just up to you if you want to wipe it down again with disinfectant. You definitely want to keep wipes or sanitizer in the car for when you pump gas or just need to clean a spill.
Hotels & Airbnbs:
Hotels – Every hotel has a different policy right now with their early and late check-in and check-out. Some need you tell notify them before you arrive for check-in and some you can just tell them once you check-in. Some just require an early notification so they can have time for the extra cleaning and disinfecting before the next guest. You do have to wear your mask whenever you are outside of your room and some hotels will check your temperature every time you enter. The elevators are also limited capacity, mainly one family per ride or up to two people if not in the same room. The elevators are not regulated by staff, you choose. Breakfast services that I’ve seen so far have been you order it and they bring it to your room for you or its still set up buffet style, but a staff member will grab the item for you. Some hotel restaurants/bar are closed, take out or available for dining in, depends on the state you are in and how open they are currently. Pools, gyms, and business centers are available in certain states as well. I would just ask the front desk before hand!
Airbnbs – There are plenty of airbnbs that are available. Before booking one, I would suggest messaging the host and ask if that specific airbnb is available for booking and and if there are certain restrictions. Especially for the ones where it’s part of a resort. The resort might have their own policy or rules. Once you get that information, then feel free to book! I know recently airbnb has sent out an email to all their guest stating that parties or people outside of the reservations are not allowed to come to the airbnb, which I can understand, but also up to your discretion on that. You didn’t read that from me though. A lot of the airbnb host hire an outside business to deep clean the place before the next guest, so they are very clean, but that also means that the fees are higher and airbnbs are more expensive right now. Airbnb has an option for you to rent certain places for a period of months instead of days, if whatever situation like that comes up for you. Please note that some host will ask you what you are renting the place for and if it seems like it’s not going to comply with social distancing, then they have the right to reject you.
Air Travel:
Flying during this time, for me, has not been a bad experience either. I do get a little nervous when I get a flight that is completely booked through vs. a flight where they leave at least 1 seat empty in each row. I’ve been on both and it really depends on what airline you choose to fly with. You do have to wear your mask the whole entire time at the airport and on the plane ride with the exception of actively eating. Any kids over the age of 2 must wear a mask as well. If that is something that you do not like, I would suggest not to fly at all then. The airlines are suppose to be cleaning extra in between flights, but I’ve seen some crumbs left on the seat still. My tip would be to bring your own hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Before you sit down you can quickly wipe your chair and the area around you before settling in. Most travelers suggested this even before covid has happened anyways. Some airlines are still serving their snacks and drinks on board, some have stopped it to minimize the traffic in the aisle, so packing snacks or buying snacks before is the best way to go. Some airlines will also include one small sanitizing wipe as well with their complimentary snacks if available. You can find most of this information of the airlines website or if you contact them. Through out the airport all lines will have signs up on on the floors on where to stand to keep the 6ft social distancing. Lines might seems long, but it’s just the space in between parties. I would still suggest getting to the airport two hours early like any other times. You just never know if it’s busy or not! You also get your temperature checked before boarding onto your flight and if it’s over 100.8 degrees fahrenheit they will ask you to sit back down and have you come up at the last call to see if that calmed your body temperature or not. If it continues to stay the same, I believe you will not be allowed on.
I hope that gave you some insight on how things are working now! Just always have multiple mask with you, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes! You can’t always rely on 100% cleanliness from others and it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you do decide to travel, REMEMBER to be kind to everyone and protect yourself as well as protect others! Also follow those social distancing rules and try not to touch rails around you and if you do sanitize or wash your hands! 20 seconds please!! Be safe now!
SALLY ♡ T
SALLY♡THINGS 