Will it Be Safe to Travel This Summer?

travel safety tips

If you’re planning a vacation this summer, join the club—according to a recent survey conducted by Destination Analysts, more than 75% of Americans are planning a getaway over the next three months. But is it really safe to start traveling again?

A little less than six months ago, deaths attributed to COVID-19 hit an all-time high in the United States. Yet as summer officially begins, about 54% of Americans have now received at least one vaccine shot, and new daily cases are at historic lows. So the question remains: should you travel this summer? In this blog, Patterson Legal Group takes a look at the risks and offers some helpful travel safety tips for you and your family.

Could There Be Another COVID-19 Surge This Summer?

According to medical experts, the coronavirus pandemic could play out in a few different ways this summer. One theory is that the disease will continue to lay low during the warmer months, especially as more people become vaccinated, including expanded vaccine eligibility for children as young as twelve.

On the other hand, more easily transmissible COVID-19 variants could pose a risk to unvaccinated and vulnerable populations and set the stage for a surge in infections. There’s no way to know for sure how the pandemic will continue to evolve in the coming months, so this may be something to keep in mind as you plan your summer travel in Kansas.

Travel Safety Tips for the Vaccinated and Unvaccinated

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidelines for domestic travel within the United States. The agency advises people to delay travel plans until they are fully vaccinated, but also provides recommendations for those who are not vaccinated but need to travel.

Recommendations for Unvaccinated People

If you have not received a dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines, have only received one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or it has been less than two weeks since your last vaccination, you are still considered unvaccinated and should follow these travel safety tips:

  • Get tested for COVID-19 between 1 to 3 days before you travel.
  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth (required) while on planes, trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation, including at the airport.
  • Continue social distancing by staying at least 6 feet from those you are not traveling with. 
  • Follow all state and local requirements.
  • After your travels, consider getting another COVID-19 test within 3 to 5 days and self-quarantining for 7 to 10 days.
  • If you have been exposed to COVID-19, test positive, or have any symptoms of COVID-19, you should not travel

Recommendations for Vaccinated People

If you received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or your second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine two or more weeks ago, you are considered fully vaccinated. Still, being fully vaccinated doesn’t eliminate all risk of spreading COVID-19. The CDC recommends taking the following actions while traveling:

  • You are required to wear a mask over your nose and mouth while on planes, trains, buses, and other forms of transportation, regardless of your vaccination status. You are not required to wear a mask while in an outdoor transportation setting, such as when on a ferry or the top desk of a bus.
  • Follow all state and local requirements.
  • After your travels, self-monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms. If you develop any of these symptoms, self-isolate and get tested.

General Tips for Summer Travel in Kansas

Vaccinated or unvaccinated, many of us have gotten a little rusty when it comes to traveling. For that reason, our Kansas personal injury lawyers wanted to highlight some of the most common accidents and injuries that occur while people are on vacation and provide you with some general travel safety tips.

  • If you’re headed on a road trip any time soon, remember to prepare your car for summer. This means making sure your air conditioning is in good working order and having a mechanic check your tire pressure, coolant, transmission, brake, and washer fluid levels for optimal safety. 
  • Be wary of increased traffic. There will likely be a lot of traffic on roads throughout Kansas this summer as people travel to visit friends and family or leave for vacation. Motorists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians alike should be especially careful when traveling this summer to avoid a car accident.
  • Staying at a hotel or Airbnb? Make sure you check out the reviews and business ratings beforehand. Unsafe property may lead to injuries like slip and falls, electrocution, drowning, and other serious injuries.
  • If you’re planning on getting outdoors, whether that’s riding your bike or backcountry hiking, be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and wear the appropriate protective gear.

Injured During Your Summer Vacation?

If you or a loved one is injured while traveling this summer due to the negligent or reckless actions of another person, Patterson Legal Group will be here for you 24/7. From work injuries to those that occur on vacation, our personal injury attorneys are committed to providing compassionate and effective legal assistance when you need it the most. We even offer free, no obligation consultations to help injured victims better understand their legal rights.

Call us at (888) 687-2400, connect with one of our LiveChat agents standing by, or fill out this form to request your free case review. There’s no cost unless we make a recovery on your behalf—that’s our no win, no fee promise.

The information on this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as legal advice for an individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship nor does viewing this material constitute an attorney-client relationship.