Travel in 2020

My husband and I recently took a vacation to California. In a pre-Covid world, our trip would be totally unremarkable, but life is different now, isn’t it?

We’d planned the trip months ago. Our nephew was getting married near Yosemite, and we were happy to take advantage of the invitation to plan a west-coast vacation.

Flights were booked. Airbnbs were rented. Joint plans with other family members were discussed.

And then there was a pandemic.

All through the spring we waited to see what would happen. Was the wedding still on? Would Yosemite reopen? Would our flights and housing reservations remain valid?

Ultimately, the answer to all those questions was yes, so we decided to make the trip despite the risks. Here are some things we learned along the way. I hope they help you when you consider your travel options.

7 things to consider when traveling in 2020

Consider after-trip complications before you leave.

Are you prepared to self-quarantine when you return? In some states it may be a requirement. Even if it’s not required, it’s worth considering.

Shortly before we left home, our state announced that residents who traveled to high-risk states such as California should self-quarantine for two weeks. Sadly, this fact compelled certain family members who work in the health field to bow out of the trip. They counted the cost and made the wise-but-disappointing decision to stay home.

We had the flexibility to handle the quarantine, but it required extra planning, such as stocking the freezer and pantry with food so I wouldn’t need to visit the grocery store when we returned. I also switched a meeting from live to virtual when I realized it would fall during the two-week period.

Minimize the risk.

The more self-sufficient, the better. My sister and her family opted to vacation by RV this summer. It gave them their own personal kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping arrangements, thereby reducing the exposure to unknown facilities. We planned our trip so that we could make all our own meals. What makes sense for your family?

Choose destinations wisely. The risk factor varies greatly by location, so consider the potential risks vs. rewards when planning. We altered our original plans to avoid spending time in higher-risk locations like San Francisco, opting instead for more time in places where we could be outside and away from crowds. In addition, we opted not to hike in the most-popular areas whenever possible.

Optimizing travel: As of this writing, some airlines claim they’ll completely fill airplane seats on some flights. To avoid that possibility, check the policy when booking and opt to fly on days and times that are likely to be less-crowded. Our flights were at about 30-40% capacity and customers were redistributed around the plane to keep as much distance as possible. Also, consider the benefits of non-stop over multi-leg flights to reduce total travel exposure.

Pre-trip research is more important than ever.

You need to know the restrictions of your destination so you’re prepared with the proper permits and gear before you arrive. If we hadn’t done our research we wouldn’t have known that A) all visitors to Yosemite need a special permit to gain entrance, B) the Yosemite shuttle buses were not operating, which affected our hiking plans, C) amenities like food vendors and museums were mostly closed, but park restrooms were open, and D) California required masks be worn whenever you are out in public, even on hiking trails.

Don’t assume business as usual.

That complimentary breakfast the hotel advertises on its website? Canceled. The airport cafe where you planned to grab a coffee and pastry? Closed. The public restroom you need to visit after four hours of driving? Also closed. The cable cars you’ve been looking forward to riding when you spend the day in San Francisco? Not operating. The winery tour you hoped to attend? Nope. (But you might be able to schedule a tasting outside on the deck.)

Be prepared.

Do your research so you know what’s open and what’s not, but expect surprises anyway. Bring items like hand sanitizer, spare masks, paper towels, water bottles, and extra food. When possible, buy and prepare your own food instead of counting on restaurants. (If necessary, you can survive on granola bars and PB&J sandwiches if not kitchen is available.)

Also, consider the dearth of available restrooms when planning trips. In our limited experience, highway rest stop bathrooms were open while those in small businesses like gas stations were closed. I’m sure this will vary by location and current threat level.

Create an emergency plan

Before leaving, my husband and I discussed what we would do if one of us got sick during the trip. How were we going to get home if we contracted the virus and weren’t allowed on the airplane? How would we travel across the country while minimizing contact with other humans? Fortunately, we didn’t encounter our worst-case scenario, but it was worth thinking about. Knowing we had a plan that could work gave us peace of mind.

Accept the limitations and the rules

Living in a post-Covid world can be a pain, but it doesn’t have to ruin your life. If you travel with a flexible, positive mindset you can focus on the upsides not the downsides. Wearing a mask is required on airplanes and will probably be required in stores and other public places. Attractions you want to visit might not be open. Extra permits or nosy questions might be required before you are given entry. That’s just how life is right now. If you choose to accept it and cooperate you’ll have a much happier vacation.

I hope these observations help you plan your next vacation with confidence. Bon Voyage.