Travel Tips: Staying Safe & Healthy This Summer

by Ann Hayward 09/12/2021

With summer upon us, many are feeling the heat of pandemic life. Working from home, social distancing and other health precautions have meant canceled plans for millions of families and individuals. Even for those without trips planned, staying at home might get old. Luckily, you have options for getting away. Local travel with family or housemates can be a valuable breath of fresh air and change of scenery while still taking care of everybody’s health. Here are a few safe travel tips for the summer:

Timing Is Everything

Most people are already familiar with the idea of avoiding peak travel times for the sake of convenience, but now you can do the same thing to stay safe. If possible, plan your getaway during the week or toward the end of a weekend. Avoid travel on large holidays when others are traditionally out and about. Look at the calendar and plan for times when you have less chance of encountering large groups of people. As a bonus, you might also avoid the traffic.

Avoid Public Transportation

If you have the means, driving in your own car is the safest way to travel during a pandemic. Your personal vehicle is basically a social-distance structure that will keep you safely apart from others, even in gridlock traffic. Public transportation has always had its health risks, but now more so than ever it’s a good idea to avoid using it entirely if possible. Choose destinations you can drive, walk or bike to rather than take a bus or train.

Seek Out Nature

Even with other people around, your health risks are far lower in the great outdoors. Find somewhere remote for a camping trip or plan a day at the beach. Hiking trails, parks and other outdoor locations with the potential for close-quarters interaction should be avoided on busy days. If you encounter others in your journey, keep up your social distancing and mask-wearing practices just in case. The fresh air and change of scenery will be worth the caution.

Try a Private Vacation Rental

Rather than stay in a hotel, consider a private vacation rental. While many hotels have enacted strict sanitation and health precautions, you still are in a place with more people. A private apartment or house rental has not housed as many guests and might be even cleaner. This also gives you more opportunities to travel with pets if you have them. Inquire about cleaning and safety details before booking a stay so you know the measures the owner is taking to keep you healthy.

Do Your Research

No matter where you go, it’s crucial to do your research beforehand. This goes not only for the travel plans but for the current state of your local area—city and state mandates, closures and other rules. A great place to start is with your local government travel agency. Get all the facts about what kind of travel is and isn’t allowed, as well as any areas of higher risk you might want to avoid. Following these tips will help you plan a vacation that is safe and healthy for everyone involved.

About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]