The 2020 coronavirus pandemic has certainly put a damper on many of our favorite activities, both indoor and outdoor. Fortunately, one of the activities that remains reasonably safe is traveling in your Airstream® trailer. Because you’re bringing your own accommodations with you wherever you travel, you don’t have to worry as much about your exposure levels, provided you take all the necessary precautions. And getting out in nature is extremely beneficial to your mental and physical health, especially after months of quarantine.
Airstream of Vermont at Pete’s RV Center is your New England Airstream dealer, located in South Burlington, VT. Here are some of our recommendations for practicing responsible recreation at our nation’s state parks during the COVID-19 crisis.
1. Check the CDC Website
The Center of Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) website (https://www.cdc.gov) has all the up-to-date information about coronavirus in your area to help you plan accordingly. You can find lists of symptoms to watch for, personal hygiene guidelines, sanitation tips and recommendations for how you can safely visit parks and recreational facilities.
2. Know Local Guidelines
Every state has its own guidelines around COVID-19 to proactively fight the spread of the disease and ensure the safety of its citizens. Be aware that these guidelines do vary significantly between states, so what’s acceptable in your own state may not be acceptable once you cross a state line. Check regulations for the destinations you intend to visit, as guidelines are often changing. You’ll also want to make sure that the state parks and recreational areas that you wish to visit are currently open before making your plans.
3. Follow Social Distancing Practices
You’ve undoubtedly already gotten experienced with practicing good social distancing when you’re at the grocery store or in another public place. Standard recommendations include keeping six feet of distance between yourself and those outside of your traveling party and avoiding groups and crowds.
Wearing a cloth face mask that covers your mouth and nose helps to reduce spread of the disease in case you’re asymptomatic, and this protects people around you. Also, many states have face-mask laws in place to keep citizens safe, even outdoors. Keep a face mask with you at all times when on trails and wash your mask often. Try to avoid peak crowd times by visiting a trail or nature area early in the morning or later in the evening.
Washing your hands for twenty seconds with soap and water is an effective way to reduce the transmission of the virus. Dry your hands thoroughly on a clean towel afterwards. Use bleach to sanitize surfaces within your Airstream, especially after returning from a hike or grocery run. If you cannot wash your hands, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to kill germs.
4. Bring Your Own Supplies
Facilities like camp stores, restrooms and laundry services may be shuttered or extremely limited at your destination to reduce the spread of germs. It’s best to pack your Airstream camper with all the supplies you’ll need, including food, water and sanitation items like hand sanitizer, bleach wipes, cleaning fluids and paper towels. Remember to practice Leave-No-Trace ethics wherever you go: don’t drop your face mask or used wipes on the ground! Dispose of all trash items in the appropriate receptacles.
5. Stay Close to Home
One issue right now that’s facing many small tourist communities, especially in coastal areas, is overcrowding. Try to stay closer to home and explore campgrounds that are only an hour or two away, rather than going further afield. Many states may be limiting out-of-state visitors from entering their state in order to reduce infection rates. Be respectful of these rules and use this as an opportunity to explore what your state has to offer.
By following these guidelines, you and your family should be able to safely enjoy Airstream camping during the COVID-19 crisis. Searching for Airstream trailers for sale in Vermont? Browse our website to see the wide stock of new and used Airstream campers for sale at our South Burlington, VT, location. Airstream of Vermont proudly serves all of our New England customers in the cities of Manchester, NH, and Worcester, MA.
