Many people are wondering, can I even take a vacation this year? The coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing the way we think about travel. As the number of coronavirus cases grows, airline ticket sales are down, events are canceled, and stock markets are volatile.
The Answer Is: Yes
You can still travel during the coronavirus outbreak. But it’s essential to be smart. Driving in your car is better than flying in an airplane. Also, exposing yourself to small, tight-knit groups is better than sharing spaces with lots of other people. More than ever, it’s vital to keep yourself healthy and use the right protocols to prevent germs.
Given the potential risks, let’s take a closer look at how vacation rentals help you travel safely during the coronavirus outbreak.
Drive Instead of Fly
It’s no secret that air travel increases your exposure to germs. Airports are full of people from all over the world. And once you’re on the plane, everyone is breathing the same air and touching the same surfaces.
CDC guidance warns the elderly and those with underlying health problems to avoid “non-essential travel such as long plane trips.” With these serious warnings, it’s a good idea to consider visiting a destination within driving distance.
Get Out of the City
High populations areas, by definition, escalate the coronavirus risk. So if you’re trying to quarantine yourself, traveling to a rural area is a good idea. Renting a home in the Smoky Mountains allows you to relax or even work remotely.
Stay Away from the Hotel Crowds
Hotels provide special amenities, but there’s no denying that you will be staying near other people. You often share complimentary breakfasts with other guests and hotel rooms turnover regularly. On the other hand, vacation rentals give you your own space to cook, hang out, and spend time with people you know aren’t sick.
Take Care of Yourself
Even though your vacation rental will be cleaned thoroughly, it’s still a good idea to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face. Also remember to take care of yourself, get regular exercise, and relax. That’s what vacations are for.
Contactless Check-ins and Clean Cabins
At Smoky Vistas, we have implemented new policies to ensure the health and safety of our guests, our homeowners and our team.
Remote Check-in / Check-out
All of our cabins are equipped with smart locks or lockboxes to facilitate remote check-in and check-out without the need to meet in person.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
We are taking extra care to clean and disinfect our cabins following every reservation. We have implemented a mandatory 24-hour waiting period between reservations. Our cleaners follow CDC recommended guidelines for sanitizing our homes with extra care paid to frequently touched surfaces.
Stay Safe!
The coronavirus presents many new travel issues that should not be taken lightly. Changing your plans and considering a vacation rental that you can drive to reduces your risk and provides a welcomed option to flying to a resort or hotel. Thanks for learning about how vacation rentals lessen the risk. Stay healthy!
