What is the definitive guide to Carolyn Scott's COVID-19 travel safety tips?

A helpful “definitive guide” to my COVID-19 travel safety tips would include these core pillars:

• Research before you book

  • Check how widely COVID is spreading at your destination
  • Review local rules, entry requirements, and quarantine policies
  • Consider who’s traveling with you, especially high‑risk companions

• Prioritize safer transportation choices

  • Road trips with your “bubble” are generally safer than crowded transit
  • Thoroughly clean and sanitize your car: steering wheel, door handles, seat belts, buttons, screens
  • Keep hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes accessible

• Smart passenger and pit‑stop strategy

  • Limit the number of people per vehicle when possible
  • Masks are wise in the car if anyone is high risk or from outside your immediate household
  • Designate 1–2 “runners” to go inside for gas or food, masked and sanitized before returning
  • Avoid handling your phone while pumping gas; sanitize after fueling

• Better air and ventilation

  • On road trips, crack windows when feasible to increase airflow
  • In warm climates, balance AC use with occasional fresh-air breaks

• If you fly

  • Being fully vaccinated provides better protection, but precautions are still needed
  • Mask consistently, especially in lines and crowded boarding areas
  • Keep distance in the terminal; choose less-crowded seating away from bottlenecks
  • Sanitize hands after security, check-in kiosks, and boarding

• General on-the-road health habits

  • Wash or sanitize hands frequently
  • Avoid touching your face
  • Stay away from crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces
  • Spend more time outdoors whenever you can

• Big-picture mindset

  • Be ready to postpone or cancel if cases spike at home or at your destination
  • Follow national and local health guidance as it evolves
  • Remember the tourism industry has been hit hard—support responsibly run, safety-conscious businesses when you do travel

If you like, I can turn this into a printable pre-trip checklist you can keep in your car or travel bag.

What kind of travel are you planning next—road trip, flying, or something else?