As the world begins to slowly open up again, many people are itching to get back out there and start traveling. Before you throw all caution to the wind, it is important to consider the safety precautions that you should take while traveling during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaccination Status

The biggest factor in how safely you can travel this summer is your vaccination status. Those people who are fully vaccinated can feel much more comfortable leaving their home base and exploring the world. Travel is generally safe if you have received both doses of the vaccine.

You also need to be prepared to show your vaccination card. Some venues and activities will require that everyone is fully vaccinated before participating. It is a good idea to keep a picture of your card on your phone to present if necessary.

Take Extra Precautions with Children

Because there have been no COVID-19 vaccines approved for those people under the age of 12 in the US, this poses a problem for families wanting to travel without worry. If you are traveling with unvaccinated children, it is important to take a higher level of precautions than if you were just with a group of vaccinated adults. This means masking up at all times and following the recommended social distancing protocols.

Choose Safe Activities

If you are traveling with unvaccinated people, you are going to want to be intentional about choosing safer activities. For example, this is not the time to venture into crowded indoor museums. This is particularly important if you are traveling to places that have dropped all mask mandates. Instead, you should focus on outdoor activities that allow you to social distance. Good choices include beaches, hikes in the mountains, zoos, and parks.

Book Private Accommodations

Booking private accommodations versus a hotel room will allow you to distance yourself more from other people. This is a great time to look into booking a condo, timeshare, or other accommodation that gives you space to spread out along with a private entrance. These types of units also generally provide kitchens, giving you the opportunity to prepare your meals on-site.

Rent a Vehicle

While most savvy travelers sing the praises of using public transportation, it may not be a good idea to jump on that subway yet. This choice largely depends on your vaccination status, the municipality's mask mandate, and the local spread of the virus at your chosen destination. Renting a private vehicle will prevent you from having to be crowded in close quarters with strangers.

Look Into Trip Insurance

If there ever was a time to purchase trip insurance, now is the time. While most travel vendors had fairly lax cancellation and change policies in place over the last year, that has all begun to change in recent months. Securing this extra insurance will give you peace of mind. This is particularly important if you are traveling outside the US.

Find a Comfortable Face Covering

There is a good chance that you will need to wear a face mask for a large portion of the trip. Even if you are fully vaccinated, masks are still mandated on public transportation. Before you head off on your travel adventure, be sure to take the time to find a mask that is comfortable for you. The last thing that you want is to be at your destination trying to find a mask that you can tolerate rather than enjoying your special trip.

Pack the Essentials

It is understandable if you are growing weary of having to use hand sanitizer at every turn. However, this is not the time to let up. Keep in mind that even the best vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing the COVID-19 virus. Having hand sanitizer on you at all times will ensure that you are always able to practice good hygiene. Other good items to pack include sanitizing wipes and extra masks.

As a bonus, practicing these tips will also work to keep other illnesses at bay. You will enjoy your vacation more if everyone in your travel party remains healthy throughout your time away from home.