Hotels in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) will now accept "staycation" guests starting October 1, 2020 – or at least that's according to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the recommendation of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to explore various ways in restarting tourism activities during quarantine.
Puyat defined staycation as a "minimum overnight stay for leisure purposes" in a DOT-accredited accommodation establishment located near one’s residence. For instance, residents of Metro Manila can check-in at a hotel within the National Capital Region subject to the requirements of the local government unit.
This just leaves many to wonder: how could a person travel in a way that reduces the risk of spreading and getting infected with COVID-19 right now?
WHAT ARE THE OFFICIAL RULES ON TRAVELING?
It depends on who you ask. Previously, the Department of Health (DOH) is unequivocal: There is no nonessential travel allowed. Stay in your homes unless it’s for work or if there is an emergency. In other words, avoid traveling long distances for vacations or pleasure as much as possible to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Of course, there's this ultimate guideline that you do not travel if you are sick, or if someone in your household has had the coronavirus in the last two weeks. Do not travel with someone who is sick.
But there's also this specific guidance to consider from the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) agency, before traveling away from your community:
1. Is COVID-19 spreading at your destination?
The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get infected during travel and spread the virus to others when you return.
2. Do you live with someone who might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?
If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the virus to loved ones when you return, even if you don’t have symptoms.
3. Are you or those you are traveling with more likely to get very sick from coronavirus?
Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes COVID-19, but older adults and people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
WHAT ARE THE SAFETY BASICS FOR DOMESTIC TRAVEL?
The basic rules for any travel right now is just the same as what you're doing when on your grocery runs:
1. Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings.
2. Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arms’ length) from anyone who is not from your household.
3. Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
4. Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
HOW TO TRAVEL SAFELY
Making stops along the way for gas, food, or bathroom breaks can put you and your traveling companions in close contact with other people and frequently-touched surfaces. Here are some tips to avoid getting and spreading COVID-19 in common travel conditions:
1. In public:
Wear a mask in public settings.
Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from anyone who is not from your household.
2. Bathrooms and rest stops:
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom and after you have been in a public place.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
3. Food stops:
The safest option is to bring your own food. If you don’t bring your own food, use drive-through, delivery, take-out, and curb-side pick-up options (sidewalk/road vendors).
4. Anticipate your travel needs:
Bring a mask to wear in public places.
Pack hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Keep this within reach.
Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip.
Pack food and water in case restaurants and stores are closed, or if drive-through, take-out, and outdoor-dining options aren’t available.
AFTER YOU TRAVEL
Regardless of where you traveled or what you did during your trip, take these actions to protect others from getting sick after you return:
1. When around others, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household. It is important to do this everywhere, both indoors and outdoors.
2. Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are outside of your home.
3. Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
4. Watch your health and look for symptoms of COVID-19. Take your temperature if you feel sick.
HIGHER RISK ACTIVITIES
Some types of travel and activities can put you at higher risk for exposure to COVID-19 (see list below). If you participated in higher risk activities or think that you may have been exposed before or during your trip, take extra precautions (in addition the ones listed above) to protect others for 14 days after you arrive:
1. Stay home as much as possible.
2. Avoid being around people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
3. Consider getting tested for COVID-19.
What activities are considered higher risk?
1. Going to a large social gathering like a wedding, funeral, or party.
2. Attending a mass gathering like a sporting event, concert, or parade.
3. Being in crowds — for example, in restaurants, bars, airports, bus and train stations, or movie theaters.
4. Traveling on a cruise ship or river boat.
For more information about staycation guidelines, the DOT said it would soon issue a memorandum circular on staycations under GCQ based on comments and suggestions of the IATF-EID.
The memorandum circular would have specific regulations on all aspects involved in this activity, ranging from the maximum allowable number of persons in a guestroom to the use of ancillary services, such as restaurants and recreational areas.
Any thoughts?
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Excerpts from the CDC website
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