Are you traveling for a business trip here in the next few weeks? Do you have a dream vacation on the books, but are unsure of how the pandemic affects it? If so, then you need to learn all you can about how to travel during COVID.

Doing so can help you make the right decisions for your needs. You can prepare ahead of time so that you aren’t blindsided by any new protocols or requirements that have been put into place.

See below for several travel safety tips that you should keep into consideration as you travel in 2020, 2021,2022, and beyond!

1. Find Customer-Friendly Cancellation Policies

First things first, you want to plan your trips as far enough in advance as possible. This will help you make accommodations for the trip.

One thing that you will want to keep a close eye out for is the cancellation and flight change policies of the airline that you book through. There might be some things, like unforeseen border closures, that prevent you from making the trip.

If that occurs, you want to make sure you’re still getting your money’s worth. For example, if you were planning a vacation to a country that puts up borders, you can change your plans and the airline will accommodate.

Worst case scenario, you get your money back or put the money towards a flight on a later date. Airlines are being lenient these days, so you can continue to push back your trip to visit family back home, go hang out with friends, etc.

Flights such as Alaska Airlines, Delta, United, and American aren’t currently charging any change fees. That rule alone saves you around $200 or more!

2. Prioritize Your Health While Traveling

No doubt about it, airlines are doing all that they can to ensure the safety and comfort of all their passengers. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be doing things for yourself as well.

Start by purchasing a large bag of disinfecting wipes and wiping down every surface before you touch it. That includes seats, sink handles, doors, walls, and even your own devices. You can never be too careful.

Also, practice social distancing wherever you can. Airports are doing a great job of setting down signage and enforcing six feet between passengers, but you want to set an example for your fellow airport-goers.

When you’re in the screening area, make sure to put the items you’d usually put into a plastic bin (cell phone, watch, keys, wallet) into your carry-on bag. Security will identify them as they go through the line.

Whether you’re leaving Florida or returning home from your travels, it’s important to get tested and prevent accidentally spreading the virus. Further, some airlines are now requiring negative COVID-19 tests before you fly.

You can obtain tests from community testing centers around the state, or you can get tested at home in some cities. For example, Miami residents can get mobile COVID-19 tests in Miami with a service such as Drip Hydration. You can conveniently get the test results that you need in order to fly or make sure you haven’t brought the virus home with you.

Lastly, make sure to wear your face mask at all times. This is a non-negotiable part of the travel experience. Not only is it to protect you from others, but to protect others from yourself. Some people might not be as comfortable traveling as you are these days.

Be sure to stay considerate of others. Wash your hands with soap and water and make sure to have hand sanitizer for when water and soap aren’t readily available.

3. Take Advantage of Remote Work

If there’s one thing that this pandemic has done, it’s open everyone’s eyes to the power of remote workers. Even companies with an old-fashioned mindset were forced to allow their workers to work remotely and guess what… they flourished!

Even if a cure comes out and life returns to normal, the new-school business model will forever include remote workers.

This is a great way for you to take advantage of life a bit more! No one said you had to work only from home. Take this opportunity to visit family. Go work on a resort. Fly to a spot with year-round warm weather and bring your work computer with you.

It’s your life, work from wherever you want to! As long as you’re doing adequate work, your bosses will get a kick out of you enjoying your freedom to the fullest.

Speaking of life, be sure to contact the great people at EPG Insurance for all your life insurance needs, as well as business insurance, home & auto insurance, and so on.

4. Circle Back on Your Plans

Unfortunately, there have been several instances in which someone has arrived at their travel destination, only to find out that their arrangements have been canceled.

Some hotels are reserving spaces, some VRBO and Airbnb hosts are shutting their rentals down and canceling all reservations. Everyone is responding to the pandemic differently.

Be sure to take the time and circle back on your plans. Make sure all your ducks are in a row before you take off so that you don’t have to make alterations once you land.

5. Stay Longer

The pandemic has forced airlines and hotels to become a bit more reasonable with their rates, meaning it costs less for you to travel these days.

Why not take advantage of that by enjoying paradise or being back with family and friends a few days more? As mentioned earlier, you can bring your work computer with you and carry on with your business while enjoying a different scenery.

You and your family need to break away from the normal scene. Since you’ve been locked at home these past few months, you deserve the chance to getaway.

How to Travel During COVID: Use These Tips to Start

While learning how to travel during COVID will be a bit of trial and error, these tips should be a good start for you.

Start looking ahead to 2022 and your travel plans. Where do you want to go? Is it time to take that dream vacation? Is there a place you can go to getaway?

Be sure to browse our website for more articles on travel safety tips as well as many other topics that you will love.