Episode 1 | How to Travel Safely During COVID

I am so excited to be back doing the Travel, Pray, Slay podcast. We are here to help you level up your life. We are going to be all things travel, faith, lifestyles, and relationships. I will still empower you to live your best life and travel smart with style to discover your purpose and expand your world.

Today’s episode is a travel episode. In 2020, travel was hugely impacted. It is hard to believe, but it has officially been a year since COVID has been reported in America, and states started closing. As a vaccine has rolled out and the world is starting to open again, it is time to start the podcast again and start traveling again. In this travel episode, I share how you can travel safely during a pandemic. I will be sharing some of my lessons for traveling during this time and share what the experts say is the best and safest way to travel.

Show Notes:
[01:58] Enjoy this travel episode of the Travel, Pray, Slay podcast.
[03:08] Toya is a travel influencer, digital marketing specialist, and inclusion leader for a marketing agency from Dallas, Texas.
[05:43] Since there is a vaccine out there, you are seeing people starting out there back to travel.
[06:32] Toya’s first trip during the pandemic was in the summer of 2020. They settled on a road trip to Austin, Texas.
[08:06] In October, she took her second trip to Chicago, Illinois. At that point, people were starting to travel safely with their masks. Then she went on a girl’s trip to Denver a few weeks later.
[08:50] In January 2021, Toya took her first international trip to Mexico.
[09:45] It’s likely looking like 2022 before things likely get back to normal, but there is still a safe way to travel.
[10:03] Disclaimer: When it comes to travel, you have to do what’s comfortable for you. You can still move about safely if you follow precautions.
[11:01] Before you plan your trip, you want to check on travel advisories and the status of COVID-19 with the CDC. Most places require a negative COVID test within 3 days of departure for international travel.
[14:01] When traveling to Mexico at the beginning of 2021, Mexico did not have a requirement to enter, but they did require you to complete a survey. Many hotels are taking your temperature.
[15:06] It is now a federal mandate that all US citizens entering back into the US when they have gone on international travel have to have a negative COVID test.
[16:38] Contact where you are staying to see if they have information about testing locations and results. You have to have a negative COVID result within three days of departure.
[17:04] There is currently no requirement for COVID testing on domestic flights with the exception of Hawaii.
[17:34] Really plan out your destination activities.
[18:32] Now they will not put you in a room that has not been vacant for twenty-four hours.
[18:52] While you are staying, most hotels are not offering housekeeping. So when you check-in make sure you have all the towels or anything else you need.
[21:09] An AirBNB is a great option especially when you are driving to the location because you can bring your own stuff. They brought their own bedding, cleaning supplies, and food.
[22:30] Understand what is open and what is not in the area you are traveling to. If you are going to a location where a lot of restaurants are not open, then think about what your options are going to be.
[24:31] Outdoor dining and outdoor activities are great options.
[26:02] Before you depart, make sure to gather your PPE. All airline travel requires you to wear a mask if you are two years or older. She suggests buying a pack of disposable masks. A face shield can also help keep you safe on the airplane.
[28:04] Also take disinfectant wipes for the airplane to wipe down the armrest, buttons, and tray tables. You can also use these at the hotel.
[29:18] If you have everything planned out, you know where you are going, and you are being safe now is your time to enjoy the trip. Unfortunately, it is not like it was before when we could just wing it and show up at the destination and just see what happens. We have to plan ahead now during this pandemic travel and you have to know where you are going and have everything prepared.
[30:03] CDC guidelines recommend after a trip that you quarantine for ten days. If you are planning to get a COVID test, they recommend getting the test 3-5 days after travel and your quarantine would be for seven days after the test.
[33:05] Have you traveled during this pandemic? What was your experience? Are you still afraid to travel?

Links Mentioned:
Travel, Pray, Slay Podcast
Travel, Pray, Slay on Facebook
Travel, Pray, Slay on Instagram
Travel, Pray, Slay on Spotify
Toya on Twitter
Travel, Pray, Slay Merch
Travel Information from the CDC