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Heading out for Spring Break or have upcoming travel plans in the next few months? Stay safe with these travel tips and check out some product recommendations for items we can’t live without during our travels!
For the airport/flight:
- Check to see if where you are traveling requires a negative COVID test before you fly. Some places, like Hawaii and international flights will require proof of a negative COVID test from an approved testing site within 72 hours of your flight. Many places still require some quarantine even with a negative test. Also, if you have been vaccinated, bring along your vaccine card as well. If you travel internationally, be aware that you will need a negative COVID test in order to return to the United States. Be prepared if you test positive – you will need to remain overseas until you can provide a negative test.
- Pack hand sanitizer in your carry-on luggage like Purcol Hand Sanitizer 2oz. More specifically, pack it in whichever bag you put under your seat – not in the overhead compartment. This allows for easy access, especially if you don’t have an aisle seat.
- As soon as you sit down on the airplane, use a sanitizing wipe like Cleanitize Wipes to wipe down all surfaces. Tray table, seat screen, both arm rests, seat buckle, and window shade should all be wiped down.
- Get a comfortable mask or two. Or three. At Bartell’s, we carry lots of different styles of reusable masks. Make sure you get a mask that fits your face well and that you can tolerate for an entire day. You’ll need to wear a mask from the second you step foot inside the airport all the way through security, flight, baggage claim, taxi or Uber, and hotel check-in until you get to your room. That’s a lot of hours! With reusable masks, it’s recommended to wash them after use, so having multiple on your trip will eliminate having to wash and dry it at the end of each day’s excursions.
For the hotel/destination:
- These days, hotel chains are pretty good about taking extra sanitation steps for their guests. However, it’s not a bad idea to give ‘high-touch’ areas an extra wipe down. Take a sanitizing wipe and wipe down things like door handles, sink faucets, light switches, and the tv remote.
- Follow all the hotel’s protocols. If they ask you to wear a mask in public spaces, please wear your mask from the moment you exit your hotel room. These can vary by resort, so check on their website before you go or ask at the front desk.
- Be mindful of your destination’s COVID mandates. As we all know, these can vary widely from state to state. And if traveling overseas, lots of countries have also been operating differently to what you might be used to at home.
- Take safety precautions wherever you go. If you eat out at a restaurant, for instance, try to eat at places that have outdoor seating or at least open airflow. Try to stay more than 6 feet away from anyone not in your own party wherever you go, including on public transit.
For the car:
- Taking a road trip? Fun! Keep hand sanitizer handy in your car. It’s a good idea to remember to use hand sanitizer any time you’ve jumped back in the car from a store, museum, restaurant, etc.
- Masks, of course. Make sure each family member has more than one. Never know where you might lose one!
- Extra water and a blanket. For any road trip, it’s a good idea to have these essentials on hand in the off chance that you get stranded for a little bit.
- Emergency kit with flares, reflective triangles, and jumper cables. Again, never know when these might come in handy! You may even save the day of a total stranger. Go you!
- A magnetic miniature travel game like Pressman 6 in 1 Travel Games. Great for the airplane, too, these should keep the backseat passengers entertained for a little while.
- Snacks, snacks, and more snacks! Especially if you’ve got kiddos in the car. Snacks can be the resolution to a complete meltdown! Some of our favorites are Erin’s White Cheddar Popcorn, Mountain Thins Milk Chocolate Trail Mix, Pepperidge Farms Goldfish, Albanese Gummi Bears, Luna Protein Bars, and Oberto Beef Jerky.
Packing list – Travel items you can find at Bartell’s!
- Travel-sized:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Body lotion
- Mouthwash
- Hairspray
- Face wash
- Shaving cream
- Tide to go Stain Pen
- Hydrating facial sprays
- Hand sanitizer
- Travel pillow
- Converters/wall adapters
- Luggage lock
- Sunscreen
- Mini first aid kit
- Face masks – both reusable and disposable