At this time, the CDC advises that travel increases your chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes Covid-19. Domestic travel within the United States is only advised for those who are fully vaccinated against the virus. If you are not vaccinated at this time staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.  For those who are choosing to travel during the holiday season, we’ve compiled some best practices that you should keep in mind.  

How to Travel Safely With Your Family Over the Holiday Period

Traveling at any time of the year can be stressful, especially if your kids are in tow. However, holiday travel around the Christmas period has always been known for causing stress. If you are planning on visiting family this holiday season, here are a number of precautions you should be taking when traveling during the holidays.

Precautions to Take While Traveling in a Car

If you are planning on traveling by car, there are a number of precautions you should keep in mind regardless of whether you’re traveling solo or with your kids. 

• Wear a mask outside of the car when you cannot achieve social distancing – minimize touching your mask and face ,and throw out disposable masks once they’ve been used.
• Wash your hands after touching common surfaces like a gas pump, door handles, bathroom stalls, etc.
• Stock up on clean masks for yourself and your children, buy sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer to have for use in the car and where you’re headed. (Don’t assume your destination will be stocked up on fresh supplies!)
• Minimize the stops you make on your way to/from a destination, if possible.
• Pack snacks, drinks and plenty of fun activities  to keep everyone – especially children – busy during the trip. 

Precautions to Take If Traveling By Plane

Although many airlines have put extensive measures in place to protect those flying both domestically and internationally, it’s important to continue to stay vigilant if traveling by air. Below are the top recommendations for flying during the holiday season. 

• Make sure to check the Covid-19 requirements of the location you are traveling to and the airline you’re flying with. If flying internationally, you and your family may have to show proof of negative PCR tests on arrival or during departure. You may also need to self-isolate depending on the rules of the state or country you are traveling to.
• Wear a mask at all times when in the airport and during the plane journey. Masks can be removed from brief periods of time so that you and your children can eat. 
• Before you sit down on the plane, make sure that you wipe down all the surfaces with a sanitizing wipe such as: arm rests, seat belt, tv screen, and food tray. 
• Remind your children to regularly use hand sanitizer during the journey especially after touching any common surfaces in the airport. 
• Once you have arrived at your destination, self-monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms and isolate accordingly.

Precautions to Take During Family Gatherings

We know that the holiday season is all about spending quality time with your family and loved ones. While it is safe to spend time with others, make sure that you are extra mindful about social distancing and elderly family members. 

Here are the top considerations to keep in mind when having family gatherings this holiday season. 

• You’re most at risk when you’re spending time around people with less than six feet of distance for more than 10 minutes. So, now’s the time to get creative with seating arrangements – spread out (utilize the couch for dinner as a “special treat.”) 
• Limit interactions with family members or friends over 65, or anyone with an existing condition or compromised immune system. Wearing masks in these situations is a big help in keeping safe.
• Discourage buffet-style eating and choose one person to serve (Everyone should be chipping in on chores anyway, right?)
• Consider mailing gifts or other packages to your destination ahead of time.
• Don’t feel pressured to visit all of your family members or friends during this trip. Regardless of whether this is the first time you’ve made it to your hometown in a year or more, limit interactions with others if you don’t feel comfortable meeting with large groups of people. 

What Else Should You Be Thinking About Before Traveling During the Holidays? 

Traveling during the holidays can be just as exciting as it is stressful. However, you make it an easy-going, hassle-free experience by doing as much preparation in advance as possible. While planning out how you are going to get to your destination and where you’re going to stay is important, so is planning for any obstacles or challenges that you might face. 

• Before you travel, check with your employer about potential quarantines after traveling, which can determine how and when you will be away from work.
• Self-monitor for symptoms, especially when you come back from hotspots.
• If you can, get tested a day or two before the actual gathering for peace of mind (and ask others you will see to get tested as well.)
• If you need to social distance or wear masks while you are visiting relatives, talk to your children first about what to expect and so they can prepare for the change.

Staying Safe While Traveling As A Family

Here at Vivvi, the holidays are our favorite time of the year as it means we get to spend some time with our families having fun and making memories. If you are planning to travel during the holiday season, whether in the US or abroad, make sure that you sit down with your children so that they know what to expect. 

Let them know that they will need to wear masks at certain points during the trip and that they have to take a COVID-19 test, depending on the situation. The more that you prepare them for any changes they’ll experience during the journey, the more seamless it will be (we can all dream at least!)