How can I assess which mode of transportation makes me least vulnerable to COVID-19?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the probability of getting COVID-19 while traveling depends on what mode of transportation you take, how long you are planning to go on a trip, and whether you and your companions are taking precautions to prevent catching COVID-19.
According to the CDC:
- Lowest Risk - Staying home, Taking short trips by car with household members and no stopover
- More Risk - Taking longer trips by car or RV a few stopovers
- Even More Risk - Taking trips by car or RV with people who are not household members, Long-distance trips by train or bus, Direct flights
- Highest Risk - Flights with layovers, Traveling by cruise ship or river boat
When traveling you may be exposed to the virus through close contact with someone who has COVID-19, catching respiratory droplets in the air or on frequently touched surfaces. You may not be able to maintain social distancing, especially in crowded buses, trains, and airplanes.
- When you travel by car, you should take precautions when making stops for food, gas, or bathroom breaks. If you are traveling in a RV, you could be in close contact with other people staying at RV parks, and while you are getting gas and supplies at public places.
- Traveling on buses and trains may increase your risk of getting COVID-19 especially when you are sitting or standing less than 6 feet away from other people.
- Air travel is considered high risk for COVID-19 because you are exposed to more people for longer periods of time, for instance when waiting in line for security checks and waiting to board the plane.
CDC recommends practicing good personal hygiene, wearing a face mask or cloth face covering, and maintaining social distancing as the most effective measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Source: CDC