Road Trip Safety Tips During COVID-19
Summer road trips are an American tradition, but this year their safety is in question with the threat of COVID-19. Although the safest option would be to stay home, there are ways to make your road trip safer if you choose to travel.
A spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management State Joint Information Center says in an email that for travel methods, driving is safer than flying if you keep contact with others to a minimum.
Colorado’s state guidelines for outdoor recreation include traveling and recreating only with those in your household, and for those at high risk of coronavirus complications to stay home — this includes older people and those who are immunocompromised.
“The safest thing for everyone is to minimize your exposure to others,” the spokesperson suggests.
If a person is sick, they should stay home, follow isolation guidelines and delay travel plans until they feel well. The Joint Information Center recommends that travel should stay within your community.
If traveling outside your community, be sure to check travel restrictions and guidelines at your intended destination before going. If a county does not allow nonresidents to travel there, obey all restrictions in place and find another destination. You can check a county’s local travel restrictions and guidelines here.
The state also outlined personal prevention practices that everyone traveling should follow to limit the spread of COVID-19. These include practices such as wearing a cloth covering over your face, keeping six feet between yourself and other people, washing your hands often for 20 seconds and avoiding touching your face if you haven’t yet washed your hands.
The practices also include disinfecting surfaces that are touched a lot. The spokesperson listed car door handles, steering wheels and radio knobs as examples of these surfaces on a long road trip.
In addition to following personal prevention practices, the spokesperson emphasizes avoiding risky activities.
“Many local healthcare systems are already overwhelmed or stretched thin. Please do not add to the burden or further stretch local search and rescue teams and emergency services,” the spokesperson says.
The Joint Information Center also says that state park facilities will be cleaned more frequently, as per state and federal health guidelines.
“Colorado Parks and Wildlife closely monitors the level of park use in case they need to increase their cleaning schedule,” the spokesperson adds.
This includes restroom facilities. Showers are not open in Colorado’s state parks, and it is recommended to bring portable showers for use with those in your party in your own campsite. The spokesperson also said travelers should follow leave no trace practices, which minimize the impact of your activities on the environment.
Additionally, parks might adjust arrival and departure times for visitors to park cabins and yurts if necessary to accommodate extra cleaning practices.
Lastly, when picking your accommodations for travel, the spokesperson says the safest way to go is to camp with other members of your own household instead of staying in a hotel or vacation rental.
Wondering the status of Colorado’s National Parks? Spoke+Blossom has reopening dates for many of your favorites here. Staying home? Check out virtual tours of the parks here.