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Safe travels: What to pack if you're planning to travel during the pandemic

Lori A. May, Special to the SeattlePI

For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here .

As the world gradually reopens to travel, it's important to remember personal health and wellbeing while venturing beyond our own backyards. The CDC continually updates recommendations for travelers , emphasizing that advance planning can cut down on unnecessary interaction with others.

While wearing masks and frequently washing hands are still at the top of the list for personal protection measures, there are a great many other to-dos to keep in mind when planning for a getaway near and far.

Before you travel, plan a route and destination where the coronavirus is not actively spreading. Review your destination to know in advance what facilities and services are open, and whether there are any lingering quarantine requirements.

While on the go, aim for a minimum of six feet distance between yourself and others. In addition to snacks in your personal bag, review your destination to verify which eateries allow for takeout or drive-thru options. And reduce the touchpoints between you and surfaces at restaurants, gas stations, and in transit centers.

Combine these CDC suggestions for safe travels along with our travel checklist included below to ensure you and your family members can make the most of a safe weekend getaway.

Face masks While at least one facial mask for each family member is a necessity, consider packing backup masks especially for travels extending beyond a day trip. If one of the kiddos loses a mask or a face covering becomes too soiled to wash in a hotel sink, you’ll be prepared with the stash you packed for your journey. Looking for a Seattle-made mask to support indie designers? Try the creative market on Etsy, where Seattle-made fabric masks range from breathable summer fabrics to fuller bandana face coverings. Here are more ideas for sourcing Seattle-made masks. When traveling by air or public transportation, you may want to replace your face covering more frequently. That’s where disposable face masks, like this 50-pack from Amazon, can come in handy. Prefer a sportier solution for your facial coverings? Try these washable, reusable options in a 3-mask pack from Adidas.
SOPA Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett

Face masks

While at least one facial mask for each family member is a necessity, consider packing backup masks especially for travels extending beyond a day trip. If one of the kiddos loses a mask or a face covering becomes too soiled to wash in a hotel sink, you’ll be prepared with the stash you packed for your journey.

Looking for a Seattle-made mask to support indie designers? Try the creative market on Etsy, where Seattle-made fabric masks range from breathable summer fabrics to fuller bandana face coverings. Here are more ideas for sourcing Seattle-made masks .

When traveling by air or public transportation, you may want to replace your face covering more frequently. That’s where disposable face masks, like this 50-pack from Amazon , can come in handy.

Prefer a sportier solution for your facial coverings? Try these washable, reusable options in a 3-mask pack from Adidas .

Hand sanitizer CDC travel guidelines urges frequent handwashing, but if “soap and water are not available, bring and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.” Most Bartell Drugs locations have replenished their stock with bottles of hand sanitizer, as have local grocery stores. For cost-effectiveness, reuse smaller bottles and refill from a larger bottle, like this budget-friendly bulk-sized bottle of Amazon brand hand sanitizer. Be sure to pack plenty of sanitizer for a day trip or weekend getaway. For air travel, note the TSA has amended their liquids policy to allow 12-ounce bottles of sanitizer in carry-on baggage.
boonchai wedmakawand/Getty Images

Hand sanitizer

CDC travel guidelines urges frequent handwashing, but if “soap and water are not available, bring and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.”

Most Bartell Drugs locations have replenished their stock with bottles of hand sanitizer, as have local grocery stores. For cost-effectiveness, reuse smaller bottles and refill from a larger bottle, like this budget-friendly bulk-sized bottle of Amazon brand hand sanitizer .

Be sure to pack plenty of sanitizer for a day trip or weekend getaway. For air travel, note the TSA has amended their liquids policy to allow 12-ounce bottles of sanitizer in carry-on baggage.

Disinfecting wipes Load up on Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes to add a layer of protection between you and common surface touchpoints. Make your own travel-sized packets for air travel or rely on smaller packets of wipes to keep your airplane seat and tray table clean. Remember to wipe down credit cards after each use and keep wipes on hand for frequent touchpoints while traveling. This includes chairs or tables when picking up to-go food and wiping your steering wheel while out for a day trip or handlebars while out for a cycle.   Your cell phone is an often-overlooked item that needs regular attention during the pandemic. Seek out wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol and follow manufacturer instructions for eliminating trapped debris.
martinedoucet/Getty Images

Disinfecting wipes

Load up on Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes to add a layer of protection between you and common surface touchpoints. Make your own travel-sized packets for air travel or rely on smaller packets of wipes to keep your airplane seat and tray table clean.

Remember to wipe down credit cards after each use and keep wipes on hand for frequent touchpoints while traveling. This includes chairs or tables when picking up to-go food and wiping your steering wheel while out for a day trip or handlebars while out for a cycle.

Your cell phone is an often-overlooked item that needs regular attention during the pandemic. Seek out wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol and follow manufacturer instructions for eliminating trapped debris.

Disinfectant spray Once you arrive at your hotel or vacation rental, you may want to add an extra layer of your own cleaning power in addition to what your hotel has prepared. For road trips, bring along a full size canister of disinfectant spray. For flight vacations, consider a travel size disinfectant spray that easily fits in your personal carry-on bag. When traveling with children or pets, seek out disinfectant sprays that don’t contain harsh chemicals or bleach.
Morsa Images/Getty Images

Disinfectant spray

Once you arrive at your hotel or vacation rental, you may want to add an extra layer of your own cleaning power in addition to what your hotel has prepared. For road trips, bring along a full size canister of disinfectant spray .

For flight vacations, consider a travel size disinfectant spray that easily fits in your personal carry-on bag. When traveling with children or pets, seek out disinfectant sprays that don’t contain harsh chemicals or bleach.

Disposable gloves Whether road tripping or flying to your destination there will come a time when sanitizing your hands may not seem like quite enough barrier between you and the outside world. Bring along a pack of disposable gloves so you will be prepared for gas tank fill-ups and touching payment keypads. To reduce waste impact, look for biodegradable disposable gloves. Or seek out compostable gloves with a plant-based material. “In most other situations, like running errands, wearing gloves is not necessary,” says the CDC, though you may want to be extra cautious when traveling.
Stefania Pelfini, La Waziya Phot/Getty Images

Disposable gloves

Whether road tripping or flying to your destination there will come a time when sanitizing your hands may not seem like quite enough barrier between you and the outside world. Bring along a pack of disposable gloves so you will be prepared for gas tank fill-ups and touching payment keypads.

To reduce waste impact, look for biodegradable disposable gloves . Or seek out compostable gloves with a plant-based material . “In most other situations, like running errands, wearing gloves is not necessary,” says the CDC , though you may want to be extra cautious when traveling.