According to experts, staying at a hotel is a low to medium risk activity
Traveling this Summer
The weather is getting nicer and the summer months are here. While the season will look a bit different for travelers who often opt to vacation this time of year, families are still considering which activities may or not be safe to enjoy in 2020.
An NPR article was recently published to address this topic, in which a panel of infectious disease and public health experts worked together to rate the risk of a list of common summer activities. From backyard gatherings to camping and participating in outdoor sports, the article includes an analysis for 14 different activities for consideration.
According to these experts, staying at a hotel is a low to medium risk activity. The risk is even lower for travelers spending most of their time in their room and limiting time and exposure to common areas such as the lobby, exercise facilities, restaurants and elevators. As outlined in our previous article, Redefining Cleanliness Standards Across the Industry, brands across the world are stepping up their cleaning protocols to minimize risk to travelers.
To be as safe as possible, the experts also suggest bringing disinfecting wipes of your own to wipe down common surfaces. For travelers flying to their destination, TSA has made an exception to allow one liquid hand sanitizer container of up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice. All other liquids will continue to be limited at 3.4 ounces. While the hotel might provide additional hand sanitizer in your room, this is a good option to consider for those who wish to be prepared while on the road.
Of course, the decision is up to the traveler and according to the experts, there is no such thing as a zero-risk outing. Check out the article for more in-depth information as you consider your summer schedule this year.