When the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States in mid-March, your life and your plans likely came to a halt. Businesses closed, government leaders restricted travel and activities, and most people were forced to remain at home under shelter-in-place orders. These drastic measures were put in place to help keep you and your loved ones safe, as the virus reached its peak rate of infection.
After more than two months of quarantine, states are reopening and trying to return to life as normal. However, the pandemic continues to make a significant impact every day. There have been approximately 1.9 million cases of the coronavirus confirmed in the United States, and this number is still on the rise. Of these cases, 24,822 have occurred in the state of Tennessee alone.
This pandemic is taking a toll on your life, forcing you to adjust your plans and expectations for the future. You and your loved ones want to enjoy your summer activities and take the vacations you have looked forward to for so long. With easing restrictions across the country, holiday travel is once again a possibility, but you need to take additional precautions to stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Tennessee accident lawyers at The Terry Law Firm have compiled these holiday travel safety tips to help you stay healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. We hope that this information will allow you to make health-conscious decisions if you decide to travel during the pandemic.
If you have recently experienced a serious accident, that attorneys at The Terry Law Firm are ready to help. Talk to one of our skilled attorneys today by calling us or contacting us online for a free consultation.
Tips on Traveling During the COVID-19 Pandemic
For the first time in 20 years, AAA did not release a Memorial Day travel forecast, as a result of COVID-19. In 2019, nearly 43 million Americans traveled over the May holiday weekend, but this year AAA predicted that travel would be at a record low. This sharp reduction in travel reflects the ongoing concern about the coronavirus pandemic, and it sheds light on what travel may look like during the summer of 2020.
AAA explains that over the past month, they have recorded a gradual increase in the number of people traveling in the United States. However, they report that more Americans are choosing to travel within their state or region, as a way to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading the coronavirus.
The head of communications at Expedia, Sarah Gavin, recently spoke with ABC News on “Show Me the Money” and provided useful tips about traveling during the pandemic. Some of her advice included:
- Waiting to cancel future travel plans until you are close to the departure date – The conditions surrounding the pandemic change on a near-daily basis, and it is impossible to predict what the conditions will look like in two or three months. Re-evaluate your travel plans as the date approaches, so you do not unnecessarily cancel your trip.
- Opting for refundable bookings – If you need to cancel your trip because of the coronavirus, refundable tickets and hotels offer you the greatest amount of flexibility and financial security.
- Carefully evaluating current travel deals – Almost every business in the travel industry is offering price reductions or special packages to encourage more people to travel. Research these deals thoroughly to understand their limitations and ensure that you can receive a refund if you need to cancel your trip.
Everyone is ready for life to return to normal, but with the numerous uncertainties of COVID-19, it is essential to take precautions to protect your health and financial well-being. These guidelines can help you make smart decisions about travel, so you can limit future financial loses as much as possible.
Safety Precautions During the Pandemic
Whether you decide to travel or not during the coronavirus pandemic, everyone should take additional precautions to prevent infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to reduce your risk of catching COVID-19 is to:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer composed of at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose, especially in public.
- Wear a protective face mask or cloth covering when you leave the house.
- Maintain at least a six-foot distance between yourself and others.
- Limit your interactions with people outside of your home.
- Quarantine yourself in your home for at least two weeks (14 days) after travel.
These precautions are important to protect yourself and your loved ones. However, they are also essential for reducing the chance that you will spread COVID-19 to others.
COVID-19 Essential Travel Guidance
Despite reduced travel restrictions across the United States, the CDC still recommends that Americans limit non-essential travel to avoid getting sick with COVID-19 or spreading it to others. If you are considering traveling this summer, you should consider taking these steps to limit your exposure to the coronavirus:
- Travel by car, to control the number of people you interact with.
- Travel only with people in your household.
- Avoid crowded locations, such as restaurants, monuments, or special events.
- Keep a safe distance from others in outdoor and indoor locations.
- Stay at hotels that you trust to maintain strict hygiene standards.
- Reduce the distance you travel and avoid international travel if possible.
Although you can never fully prevent exposure to COVID-19 while traveling, following this guidance can help you protect yourself and others as much as possible.
Our Tennessee Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help
At The Terry Law Firm, our experienced injury lawyers have never wavered in our commitment to serving those who’ve been hurt in Tennessee. We understand the stress and strain that the pandemic has put everyone through, and we know the uncertainty accident victims feel when they’ve been hurt during this challenging time.
We will be ready to stand up and fight for you if you’ve been hurt. Our team is available 24/7, so call us or reach out to us online right away.
