Is it safe to travel for the holidays?

It's almost the end of the year and the festive holiday is fast upon us. People around the world and already making plans to travel to join their friends and family for the holidays. But people especially those in regions still battling with cases of COVID-19 are skeptical about traveling. So the questions are been asked:

Should you travel for the holidays this year? What precautions or steps can be taken to make travel safer? Who will travel with you and how careful have they been?

Can you travel for the holidays in 2020?

Yes, you CAN travel, but, should you travel for the holidays?

Today I got an SMS from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) warning Nigerians about travel in this festive period:

We may want to be with family and friends this festive season, but COVID-19 spreads when people move around. Please take responsibility by avoiding all travel.

Medical experts, health, and government officials continue to caution people to stay at home and avoid nonessential travel, social gatherings, and visiting other households over the holiday season.

Travel can increase the chance of people getting and spreading COVID-19. So, staying at home and postponing or canceling travel is the best way to protect you, your family, and others from COVID-19.

Staying home is the safest bet.

If you must travel, CDC has provided the following guidelines to be taken before or during your trip to protect yourself and others from the pandemic:

• Check travel restrictions before you go.

• Get your flu shot before you travel.

• Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer.

• Know when to delay your travel. Do not travel if you or your travel companions are sick.

• Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs such as airports and stations. 

• Avoid close contact bystaying at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not from your travel group.

• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).

• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Consider getting tested with a viral test 1-3 days before travel.

• Watch your health for symptoms of COVID-19.

Do not travel if you test positive or have symptoms of COVID-19; immediately isolate yourself, and follow public health recommendations.

After traveling internationally –

• Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home for 7 days after travel. Even if your test is negative, stay home for the full 7 days. If your test is positive or you have symptoms of COVID-19, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected and follow public health recommendations

• If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home for 10 days after travel.

After traveling domestically –

• Consider getting tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND reducing non-essential activities for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative. If your test is positive or you have symptoms of COVID-19, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected and follow public health recommendations

• If you don’t get tested, consider reducing non-essential activities for 10 days.

Unfortunately, It is possible that after the festive period, because of travel and exposures, there will be increased cases of COVID-19 unless we can take some very serious practical, severe steps today - wearing a mask, not allowing outside people into our homes, changing our travel plans, if that had been part of your previous plans, and making some tough decisions about what to do during this holiday season.

Staying at home is the safest step to protect your family and yourself from COVID-19. If you do choose to travel, try to take precautions such as wearing a mask, keeping gatherings small, and practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene.

Resource: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html