The coronavirus pandemic has recently paused travel across America. However, as travel begins to resume, more people are starting to go on trips again, as well as plan vacations. If you plan to go on a trip in the near future, there are certain precautions that you can take to keep yourself safe and healthy. Here are some tips you can use to protect your wellbeing during your next trip.

Get tested before traveling

Before you travel, it can be a good idea to get tested for the coronavirus. That way, when you do travel, you can have greater peace of mind knowing that you are doing your best to keep those around you safe. As always, don’t travel if you are having any symptoms of COVID-19, such as shortness of breath, a fever or a cough. See a full list of symptoms here.

Plan outdoor activities

Before you travel, make sure you research what attractions you want to see and which activities you want to do. Obviously, you’ll want to avoid areas with large crowds, since the CDC says to social distance from others who are not of your household. Try to plan to do outdoor activities where it is easy to social distance, such as visiting a park or riding a bike around. If you plan to eat at a restaurant, you could order food online and then eat it outside on a bench or on the restaurant’s outdoor patio. You may also want to avoid types of public transportation like trains or buses since they can sometimes be crowded. If you do need to take public transportation, it’s a good idea to pack disinfectant wipes to use afterward. Planning outdoor activities will help you avoid large crowds and still have fun on your vacation.

Take your vitamins

When preparing for a trip, make sure you are taking your vitamins! Recent studies show that vitamin D may be helpful in protecting your immune system from the coronavirus. Plus, it’s good for your health! Vitamin C is also known to help boost immune systems.

Choose touchless tasks and clean items

When traveling, people frequently touch various surfaces, which is why many businesses such as hotels and restaurants are providing touchless options for people to use. Touchless points can include mobile check-ins, destination elevators and online menus. People also constantly use certain objects when they are traveling, like their credit cards, cell phones, pens, water bottles or sunscreen. You may need to disinfect these items to keep you safe, as well as bring your own so you don’t have to share with others. You might even want to use Apple pay or other online payment options so that you can avoid using your credit card. Minimizing the things you touch will help you stay healthy and safe on your trip.

Follow CDC recommendations

Following the CDC recommendations can help you and others stay as healthy as possible throughout your trip. Here are a few guidelines from the CDC that are useful for those who travel.Although the CDC recommends hand washing over using hand sanitizer, sometimes when you’re traveling you don’t have access to running water and soap. In these instances, it helps to have a travel-size hand sanitizer. Plus, if you keep your hand sanitizer in an easy to reach spot like on a keychain you won’t need to rummage through all of your items to find it. The CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs. However, keep in mind that although alcohol-based hand sanitizers can reduce the number of microbes on your hands, they do not completely eliminate all types of germs.Washing your hands frequently can help prevent the spread of germs. Soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizers in preventing the spread of illness and infections to others. When you wash your hands, the CDC recommends scrubbing them for at least 20 seconds. Along with washing your hands frequently, make sure that you are also careful not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth. Many people have adapted to wearing a mask in public places. If you will be traveling, make sure that you pack a mask to take with you on your trip. The CDC recommends that people wear a cloth face covering in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Wearing a cloth mask may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. Additionally, many states, localities and businesses now require people to wear a mask. Make sure you look up the guidelines and rules for mask-wearing before you travel to your destination.

Booking a hotel

Now that you’ve read through these tips, you’re ready to start planning where you’ll stay on your trip. When looking for a place to stay during your trip, check out what hotels are doing to prioritize guests’ safety and health. Many hotels provide a coronavirus update on their site to specifically share all that they are doing to protect the wellbeing of their guests. If you have additional questions, you can call to ask the hotel about their added precautions and safety measures. After doing your research and booking your hotel, you’ll be ready to go on your trip feeling safe and comfortable in your surroundings.Need a place to stay when visiting Chicago? Book your reservation here.