COVID-19 travel restrictions will soon be a thing of the past. However, it may take some time for people to be comfortable with traveling outside the country. Recent events have been a lesson on the importance of staying health-conscious when you’re on the go. Whether you’re traveling for vacation of business, you should always stay as safe as possible. Here’s a car rental guide with some commonsense suggestions for avoiding illness when you travel.
Make Sure You’re Vaccinated
When traveling to a different country, make sure all of your vaccinations are up to date. Along with routine vaccinations, you should ask your doctor if there are any recommended vaccines for the region you’re traveling to. Some countries require travelers to provide proof of vaccination before their visa is approved. These measures are for your safety and for the safety of local at-risk populations.
If you don’t know when you were vaccinated last, get in contact with your personal physician. They should have your immunization records on hand. A quick chat with your doctor can save you a lot of trouble and worry down the road. It’s also a good idea to check out the CDC and World Health Organization websites to see if there are any diseases endemic to the area you plan on visiting. You should do everything you can to prevent illnesses before you even board the plane. It provides peace of mind that will make your journey safer for yourself and others.
Practice Good Personal Hygiene
It may seem obvious and every car rental guide says it, but personal hygiene is the cornerstone of good health. Make sure you wash your hands often when you’re traveling. As a rule of thumb, wash your hands whenever you can, especially if you’re about to have a meal. When you’re traveling, you can come in contact with hundreds of people in a single day. Odds are at least a few of them are sick. You can’t rely on public spaces being sanitary. By washing your hands you cut down on the chances of getting sick when you travel.
If you don’t have access to running water and soap, consider carrying hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is inexpensive and readily available. They also come in TSA-approved sizes that are easy to bring wherever you go.
Avoid Contaminated Food and Water
There’s a reason why traveler’s diarrhea is the most common illness among international travelers. Many countries don’t have the same health and safety practices as they do in the United States. Even well-regulated countries might have lax enforcement. That’s why you should try to make sure you food is thoroughly cooked when you’re traveling. Try to avoid eating at places that seem dirty or run down. If you can see the person preparing your food, try to gauge their hygiene practices. Do they wear gloves when they prepare food? Does the same person that handles the money handle your food? Commonsense observations can save you a lot of tummy trouble.
Water, on the other hand, can be a little harder to gauge. You can never be 100% sure of local water purity. In many countries, the tap water is off limits for drinking. The best way to protect against getting sick from local water is to only drink bottled water. If you’re going somewhere really remote, consider bringing a water bottle with a built-in filter. This will save you money in the long run and provide potable water wherever you go.
Exercise Regularly
When you’re traveling, it’s easy to just stay in one place and not move around too much. Between the long flights and the unfamiliar surroundings, staying active is probably the last thing on your mind. However, studies have shown that the best way to fight off minor infections is to exercise regularly. This will improve your health overall, and it will make your immune system stronger. Even if you do get sick, it won’t be nearly as bad if you stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
COVID-19 Car Rental Guide For Los Angeles
The best way to stay healthy while traveling is by driving your own personal rental car. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, Value Rental Car is here to help. We offer clean and affordable rental cars for local driving in LA . We rent to drivers under the age of 21. We also provide cash and debit card car rentals. Let us know what we can do to help in these uncertain times.