With an increasing number of people becoming fully vaccinated against COVID-19, it makes sense that many are getting the itch to once again travel. Unfortunately, the pandemic situation, while getting better, is still far from perfect. New variants of the virus are out there circulating, and there’s a sizeable portion of our population that says they are unlikely to get or won’t get vaccinated. Still, there’s good reason to believe that travel at some point this summer is possible. Here are some things to keep in mind when planning a summer vacation in 2021.
Get Vaccinated.
The first step to traveling this summer more safely is to get one of the COVID-19 vaccines. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are two-shot deals, with the second vaccine being given either 21 days (Pfizer) or 28 days (Moderna) apart. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single vaccine. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their last shot. That’s less than a month.
Day Trips Can Be Fun Too!
An enjoyable and memorable trip doesn’t have to be to somewhere far away. Think domestic, somewhere that’s within a reasonable driving distance from home. Short day trips allow travelers the chance to reach their destination more quickly without having to deal with crowds associated with air, rail, or bus travel.
Get Back to Nature.
Want to travel but still are unsure about crowds? Then why not consider a day or overnight trip that involves some type of outdoor activity like hiking or camping? Along with the usual gear, be sure to include masks and hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipes. See how simple that is?
Longer Trips: Prepare for the Unexpected.
If travelers have their hearts set on a traditional week-long vacation, that’s okay too. They just need to plan ahead a little more. Pay close attention to cancellation policies, and getting travel insurance may not be a bad idea.
There’s still a long way to go before the pandemic will be officially declared over, allowing life to return to something more ‘normal. It’s getting better, though, and that is a good thing. Patience and taking a simple, common-sense approach to planning travel is the key to having a fun and safe summer.