One way for you to relax or bond with your loved ones is by setting some time aside for a vacation. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has brought the world to heel and forced the public to stay inside their homes. Many have had to cancel travel plans, missing out on their desired vacation destinations. The only trip most people have taken the past few months has been to the groceries.
However, with better measures in place, establishments are slowly beginning to reopen and quarantine restrictions have lifted. People now have the chance to go on vacation again — as long as they observe the right practices to stay healthy and safe.
Here are 4 safe vacation ideas you can do during the pandemic:
#1 Plan a Road Trip
The reason why vacations are necessary is that they are beneficial to both your mental and physical well-being. You don’t have to spend so much money to experience these benefits. Sometimes, all you need is to feel the wind and have a change of scenery.
A road trip is one way to spend your vacation. Since you’re going to be inside a vehicle, you limit your exposure to other people. Whether you’re riding a car or renting a bus, you get to drive by and enjoy scenic locations safely.
How to Prepare for a Road Trip
Prepare your vehicle by disinfecting the areas you frequently touch. Use anti-bacterial wipes and wipe your car’s steering wheels, door handles (both interior and exterior), door latches, lock buttons, seat belts, and radio and climate control buttons.
Use an alcohol swab to clean touch screens and other electronic devices in the car. Besides anti-bacterial wipes, keep a bag in your vehicle that contains masks, a box of disposable gloves, and alcohol or disinfectant spray. Make sure to dispose of gloves you wear outside before getting back in the vehicle.
#2 Go Camping Somewhere Remote
After spending months indoors, you might feel like reuniting with nature after being away from it for so long. If you’re itching to explore the outdoors and wide-open spaces, you can go camping.
Another reason why vacations are important is that they can relieve stress and boost your happiness. Camping allows you to get away from the city and the confines of your home. You can bask in the wonders of nature, breathe in the fresh air, and forget about life and its troubles for a while.
Check for any restrictions in your destination and take note of any requirements, like a permit. Practice social distancing and keep the appropriate distance from crowds. Along with the usual camping essentials, prepare hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, hand soap, and supplies to disinfect commonly touched surfaces.
Camp with people in your household and keep at least 2 metres away from others at your campsite. When you’re camping with other people, keep your distance and camp in separate tents spaced out by at least 2 metres. Avoid sharing camping supplies, which include food, drinks, serving utensils, and beverage containers.
#3 Book a Hotel
If you’re not into camping, book a hotel. Fortunately, many major hotel chains are implementing safety and cleaning policies that help combat the spread of COVID-19. Said protocols also focus on contact-free transactions like virtual check-in and check-out, social distancing, and limited dining, among others.
Hotels are known for having staff that are ready to provide you with assistance should you need it. Since the coronavirus can spread from direct contact with people, what used to be a helpful feature can put you at risk. With contactless transactions, there is less chance of you physically meeting people.
How to Prepare for a Hotel Stay
Make sure that they have a clear outline of their cleaning and disinfection policies. Keep yourself safe through social distancing and wearing a mask. You might interact with people who are taking your bags.
Disinfect areas and surfaces that people usually touch, such as door handles, TV remotes, phones, toilet surfaces, and bathroom faucets. If you’re dining in a hotel, avoid restaurants. Instead, take advantage of room service or order delivery from an outside establishment.
#4 Book a Private Home Rental
An excellent alternative to staying in a hotel is staying in a private home rental. One advantage of renting a private home is that you get to keep the space to yourself. With the use of home-sharing platforms, communicating with the homeowner and examining the house can be done virtually.
There is a wide range of properties up for rent. Home-sharing platforms like Airbnb often feature different choices of properties, from a studio apartment to a multi-bedroom home. While you can still book a private home, you can also choose castles, yurts, and treehouses.
How to Prepare for a Private Home Rental
Check if they are strictly implementing cleaning and safety measures. Airbnb has a new cleaning protocol for hosts to follow. It includes using personal protective equipment and disinfectants that are approved by authorities. Keep in mind that not all hosts take part in the protocols. Read reviews and ask questions so you end up renting an infection-free property.
Once you arrive at the private home, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, which can include numeric keypads (for contactless entry), doorknobs, bathroom surfaces, and others. The next time you’re looking for a vacation spot in Ontario, prioritize your health and safety and make sure that they’re following these protocols.
Update on the Pandemic
Before you decide on your vacation, here are some crucial reminders and information regarding the pandemic in Canada:
The total number of COVID-19 cases on August 31, 2020, was 128,948. Given this number, the risk of COVID-19 to Canadians is considered high.
How Pandemics Spread
Travelling puts you at risk of infection. Additionally, if you have been infected but don’t present any symptoms, you can still spread the virus to other people. The virus can spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes or by touching a contaminated then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Even with the constant updates that authorities provide, it’s difficult to tell when this pandemic will finally end. That’s why if you’re planning to travel, make sure to protect yourself and others by doing the following:
- Wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth when in public settings.
- Stay at least 2 metres away from anyone who’s not from your household.
- Wash your hands with soap and water, or if unable, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid contact with anyone who’s sick.
With restrictions slowly being lifted and establishments are reopening, it can be tempting to return to old habits. However, the pandemic is not over yet, it’s crucial to take care of your health and well-being. When you plan for your vacation, remember to be cautious, prioritize safety and cleanliness and follow new rules and regulations.
If you’re looking for a rental bus for your vacation, look no further than Parkinson Coach Lines. We adhere to strict disinfection measures to ensure the safety of our passengers. For more information, contact us at (905) 451-4776 or email us at info@parkinsoncoach.com.