If you’re going to be traveling during this time of Covid-19 then keep in mind things will be different and prepare for those differences.

Disclaimer

Before anyone flames me on the internet or starts some sort of argument, I want to clarify this post. The intention of this post is only to share my experience with the things that have changed now to do to the pandemic. This is not a statement on my personal beliefs or opinions regarding the virus, the masks issue, or the preventative measures that are being taken. This post not meant to be political or otherwise. So now that we have that out of the way, allow me to proceed, because it’s so much different to be traveling during a pandemic.

As part of my job, I travel quite heavily though out parts of the year.  In March of 2020, there was no more traveling and frankly, most of us didn’t want to travel.  Coronavirus, an international pandemic, had taken full effect and essentially shut down most of the world.  As time progressed, however, things started loosening up.

After about 3 months, the got the green light to travel. Thus began the need for traveling during a pandemic.  The world we are now traveling in has changed drastically.  The pandemic has made travel totally unique to anything I personally have ever experienced.  So, for those of you who haven’t traveled, here is a guide to what travel currently looks like during a pandemic. 

Masks, Masks Everywhere 

In our state, the governor signed an order stating that masks need to be worn in all public spaces. This means that there are signs all over the hotel reminding you to put your mask on. It also means that every trip out of your room requires a mask. Fill your ice bucket? Wear your mask. Go to the vending machine? Wear your mask. Look in the snack machine, one of the slots is for masks. Also, the hotel sells masks at the front desk, and in the sundry shop if they have one.

Did You Wash Your Hands?

This question has now become a part of our everyday lexicon.  After everything I do or touch, I ask myself, “did I wash my hands?” or “do I need to wash my hands?”  This is, of course, if Heather hasn’t already asked me.  Travel only intensifies the issue.  On a given trip the number of public surfaces you touch is innumerable.  It’s not until you start thinking about it do you really notice. So now, along with all the other things I must remember to pack, I make sure I have a travel hand sanitizer with me, for those instances where handwashing just isn’t feasible.

The Social Distancing Conundrum

Social distancing is another part of the new normal that we’re now living.  However, when you travel, this isn’t always easy to adhere to.  Many hotels I’ve been in have smaller lobby spaces, where 6 feet of space means standing in the parking lot if there are a couple of people in line. 

And what about the elevators?  Most have a sign of only having 3 people per car and then you realize the hotel only has one elevator in some cases.  So maybe take the stairs.  Except if someone is going the opposite way on the stairs, social distancing becomes difficult.  What about walking down the hallway?  If someone is coming the other way, you’re going to have an issue.  Most hotels don’t have the design to accommodate the “6-foot rule,” and it makes it a challenge when traveling during a pandemic.

How Clean is Clean? 

One of the things the pandemic has made even more interesting is hotel cleanliness.  Hotels have always been a bit of a hot button with me for cleanliness.  I always check the room to make sure it’s clean.  That being said, things are more interesting now. 

First, hotels are being more overt about their cleaning practices.  Signs are posted explaining all the towels in the room are replaced or the room is sanitized. A few hotels seal the door or the toilet with a seal that must be broke in order to enter or use the facilities.  This is to prove the space is clean.  This brings up an interesting point for me.  Wasn’t it always part of the hotel policy to ensure the room was clean?  I say this a little facetiously because this is about making customers feel safe, but it does make you think. 

Secondly, the cleanliness issue has made many travelers, myself included, more meticulous with checking over the room for cleanliness.  This means carrying extra hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray along to give the room an extra “once over” to ensure everything is sanitary. 

You Want Free Breakfast? 

The pandemic has made buffets a thing of the past, at least temporarily.  That means that the free hotel breakfasts that you may remember are no longer available in the same way they once were.  Gone are the days of waffle makers and eggs.  Most hotels that I’ve been to have moved to the “grab bag” or “grab and go” model.  This usually means things like muffins, bagels, and the like. 

Some hotels have gone as far as making hot breakfast sandwiches. On the other hand, there are some hotels that have gone the opposite way, eliminating breakfast altogether.  24-hour coffee is also a change.  Now the coffee bar is behind the front desk and you must ask for it.

You Didn’t Want Housekeeping, Did You? 

This is a question they ask at almost every check-in since this has started.  For the safety of the employees and the guests, housekeeping has gone from a standard to “upon request.”  If you want clean towels or trash emptied on stays that are longer than one night, the ask you to leave them outside the rooms and they will replace them.  No more need for the “Do Not Disturb” sign.  Now you must ask to be disturbed. 

How About Other Amenities? 

If you’re anything like me, the first thing I do when I’m looking for a hotel room is looking at the amenities they have to offer.  Do they have a pool?  What other things are available?  Well, all that has changed.  Most hotels have had to scale back the extra amenities they offer.  That means hotels with indoor pools need to keep them closed for the most part. 

Outdoor pools are still open in some cases though.  Gyms and health facilities aren’t open.  Even some of the business centers aren’t open for safety purposes.  I’ve even seen hotels stop access to things like ice machines.  I’ve even been to one that took away the k-cups in the room.

Conclusion

Traveling during a pandemic is definitely a lot different than it was a few months ago.  The world of COVID-19 has brought some all-new challenges.  Ultimately, these are mostly just inconveniences and not much more.  They have made things difficult for us as a family.  Heather and the boys usually travel with me on these trips, but now I make these treks on my own.  So, while things could definitely be a lot worse, the pandemic has definitely taken some of the fun out of things.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

How do you feel about traveling during a pandemic?

Jason K.