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How to Safely Plan for Autumn Travel Amid COVID-19

No one wanted the COVID-19 pandemic to extend into the summer, and definitely not the fall. As people continue to stay inside and cancel weddings and birthdays, others are looking for safe ways to get travel and use their vacation time during the remaining months of the year.

While the coronavirus might change how you travel, it doesn’t have to limit how much fun you have. Follow these tips for a safe and enjoyable vacation this fall.

1. Look for cabins and other rental homes.

If you’re looking to stay socially distant while still getting out of the house, find rural cabins and other vacation homes away from big cities and bustling towns. Not only do these cabins put you in the middle of nature where you can go hiking and spend time outdoors away from others, but they also have living and entertainment features that you can use.

By renting a cabin, you can stock the kitchen full of groceries and stay in to cook instead of looking for open restaurants. Many rentals also come with pools, hot tubs, and game rooms to play. You can have fun while still staying at home.

2. Explore nearby towns.

If you are still avoiding air travel because of the pandemic but want to see a new town or city, consider taking a road trip to a new area. There are plenty of quaint towns across the American countryside that have their own unique restaurants and things to do. For example, if you live in Mississippi or one of the surrounding states, spend a weekend near downtown Vicksburg seeing the town and visiting the Old Court House Museum.

The best part about visiting local towns is that you can take multiple small vacations instead of one big one.

3. Experience a different climate.

Fall has an incredibly welcoming climate for many people. Some visitors to the northeast travel to states like Maine and Vermont at specific times of the year to watch the leaves change and feel the first cool breezes of winter. Other people in warmer states head to the mountains where it is cooler and less humid.

You can feel like you traveled farther if you enter a new climate. Add a few new pieces to your wardrobe (like these fashionable jackets for women) and hit the road with a few friends or family members. You can feel like you went far, even if you’re just an hour or two away.

4. Travel during less crowded periods.

If you do need to travel by air or plan to visit a city that could have a lot of people, plan your travel around off times. For example, taking the first flight out for the day means you will get to the airport before it becomes crowded. You are also more likely to sit in a sanitized seat.

If possible, take your vacations during the week — like Monday through Wednesday — when other visitors are back home and there is more space.

5. Have a plan for when you return.

If you live with an immunocompromised person or come into close contact with children or older family members, make a plan for the week after you return from your trip. You may want to self-quarantine for two weeks to ensure that you didn’t pick anything up while you travel. Even if you do leave the house, you may want to avoid these relatives until a two-week period has passed.

This quarantine can feel like a long time, but it is worth it to protect those you love.

You don’t have to give up travel until the pandemic ends. With the right planning, you can have a safe and exciting trip.