Pandemic-Safe Travel Tips
Many places within the U.S. and around the world are lifting their restrictions on travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. No matter where your destination is, if there’s a getaway in your future, it’s important to take safety precautions. Here are some pandemic-safe travel tips to keep in mind as you’re preparing for your trip because healthy travel starts with CLEAN™.
Plan Ahead for Protocols
According to AAA, as more people are getting vaccinated, the number of them planning to take a trip this year is increasing. In fact, the number of people who were expected to travel at least 50 miles over the 2021 Memorial Day weekend increased 60% from 2020. This is terrific news for those of us who love to visit new places, or just want to visit family and friends after what felt like a very long and lonely year.
It’s important to be aware of the protocols travelers need to follow to stay safe and keep others safe. Some are mandated by the airline you’re flying, the rental car company you’re using, and even the state or country you’re visiting. The protocols may change or be updated frequently so be sure to visit the appropriate websites to stay up-to-date — right up until the day of your trip.
Recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should be checked regularly before traveling so you can follow them throughout your travels:
- Get vaccinated before you travel. If possible, be sure you have been fully vaccinated at least two full weeks before your trip. If you must travel and haven’t been vaccinated yet, follow the CDC guidelines for unvaccinated people.
- Wear a mask. Even if you are fully vaccinated, as of this writing, it is still mandatory in the U.S. to wear a mask and socially distance yourself on planes, trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation, as well as within airports and stations.
- Follow your destination’s protocols. Before you reach your destination, be sure to research all the state and local recommendations and requirements so you can follow them to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. And, of course, be sure to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms during your trip in case you need to isolate and get tested.
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Air Travel Pandemic Safety Tips
You’ve chosen your destination and checked the protocols you’ll need to follow once you get there. You’ve bought your ticket, booked your rental car, and packed your suitcase. You’ve charged your phone, downloaded a new book on your tablet… what else should you pack in your carry-on?
Good question! To make sure you’re flying safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, here are a few must-haves and a couple of easy steps that are worth the extra peace of mind they’ll bring:
- To avoid having to touch surfaces in the airport like ticket machines and other touchscreens, print out your boarding pass and other flight information in advance. Many airlines make it possible to check in using your smartphone, allowing you to skip having to wait in line. Plan in advance to use touchless payment as much as possible throughout your trip.
- Consider wearing disposable gloves to avoid germs on turnstiles, handrails, elevator buttons, and restroom surfaces. (Be sure to pack extra pairs for the return flight home.)
- Bring extra masks, as well as a resealable plastic bag in case one gets dirty or wet.
- Pack plenty of disinfecting wipes and hand wipes in your carry-on luggage. Nice ’N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes have been clinically shown to kill viruses [1] and bacteria [2] on hard surfaces, while Nice ’N CLEAN® Antibacterial Hand Wipes kill and remove 99.9% of bacteria [3] on hands. Both come in soft-pack, resealable packages that are easier to take on-the-go, making them the perfect travel companions on your next trip. (In a pinch, Nice ’N CLEAN® Baby Wipes can help clean off both your hands and the surfaces you touch while traveling!)
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Pre-Flight Check: Wipe Down Your Seat Area
Before you load your carry-on in the overhead compartment, be sure to take out some Nice ’N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes and do a thorough cleaning:
- Clean the hard surfaces at your seat, including the arm rest, the head rest, the seat belt buckle (both ends), the tray table (both over and under), the screen (if there is one), the remote (if there is one), the window (if you’re sitting next to it), and the seat back pocket. Remember to clean the handle on the overhead compartment, too. Nice ’N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of the COVID-19 Virusɸ in 3 minutes — 25% faster than leading brands (3 minutes vs. 4 minutes). Be sure to allow these surface areas to air dry to allow the disinfectant to work effectively.
- If the seat itself is hard and nonporous (or leather), wipe it down with a disinfecting wipe too. Skip this step if the seat is made of fabric. Using disinfecting wipes on upholstered seats could lead to spreading the germs on the wet seat instead of disinfecting it.
- Use as many wipes as you need to clean the entire area. When done, be sure to throw them away in the trash. (It’s handy to have a large resealable plastic bag in your carry-on for this purpose in case your seat doesn’t have a plastic trash bag in the front pocket.)
Road Travel Pandemic Safety Tips
You’ve touched down, grabbed your bags, and picked up the keys to your rental car. Before you hop in and cruise to your next destination, take a few minutes to clean, deodorize, sanitize, and disinfect the car with some Nice ’N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes:
Pre-Drive Check: Wipe Down the Cabin of the Rental Car
- Just as with your airplane seating area, use plenty of wipes to disinfect the car’s hard surfaces, such as the dashboard, steering wheel, seat belt buckles, window and lock controls, and gear shift. Other places to clean include the door handles, rearview mirror, ventilation panel, and beverage holders.
- Remind your passengers they should avoid touching surfaces and their faces. Keep some portable packages of Nice ’N CLEAN® Sani-Hands® Antibacterial Hand Wipes in your glove compartment for easy access when you’re on the road. They’re helpful for cleaning hands before and after eating in the car if you don’t have access to soap and water. Hypoallergenic and infused with aloe, our wet wipes are more effective than gel sanitizers because they kill bacteria while also wiping away dirt and grime.
LEARN THE DIFFERENCE: Hand Sanitizer: Wipes vs. Gels
Healthy Travel Starts With CLEAN™
As the world slowly reopens and travel starts picking back up, it’s important to continue to take safety precautions to protect yourself and others around you. Simple steps like using disinfecting wipes to clean your seat area on the plane and in a rental car can help minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus and bring more peace of mind while you travel. Let’s all do our part to make sure that the only thing we bring home from vacations are happy memories!
[1] Effective against common cold virus caused by Coronavirus and common flu virus caused by Influenza A H3N2 Virus
[2] Effective against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella enterica (Salmonella), Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria), Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
[3] Kills 99.9% of the most common household bacteria
ɸKills SARS-CoV-2 on hard, nonporous surfaces
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