Take Your Four Legged Bestie Everywhere This Summer
Take Your Four Legged Bestie Everywhere This Summer: Following Protocols Won't Impact The Fun!
Travelling in the U.S. is bound to be a bit complicated this summer, as individual states continue to impose measures to protect folks from the coronavirus. In some places, particularly across the south right now in Texas and Florida, beaches have been closed, and so have bars. Restaurants, if open at all, are serving at 50 percent capacity only, and apparently plans for all July 4th celebrations and parades have been axed. Furthermore, everywhere in the country mask wearing has become the recommended policy when folks are outdoors.
So, amidst all these restrictions, can you and your pooch still have a great vacation?
You bet.
Depending on where you want to go, your vacation should not be impacted at all. But there are some steps you can take to ensure that fun is the order of the day while still obeying social distancing guidelines and -- most importantly -- that you don't take the virus back to your home community and infect others. Anyone can get sick from COVID-19, but most vulnerable are folks with underlying health conditions, elderly people, or people in their 50s and 60s. Even young people in their 20s and 30s are getting really sick now. So it's important that you protect yourself, too.
Here are some suggestions on how best to stay safe but have fun, just you and your dog, hitting the road:
1) Check ahead about restrictions
Wherever you go may have imposed travel restrictions on people from your state. Let's say you're from Texas, and you'd like to drive to New York City to see friends. NYC now has measures in place that insist anyone travelling from out of state must self isolate for 14 days. Even if you're not showing symptoms, you've got to stay in quarantine. So ask yourself -- do I really want to be alone for the first 14 days of my vacation? The answer is likely "no," so check on the state government's website and find out just what is expected of you as an out of state traveller.
2) Consider the safest areas of the country.
Plenty of places are doing pretty well with their case loads, so look into it before you go. Montana, for example, is reporting few cases right now. On the other hand, you don't want to take even a slight risk with your health, right? So consider going camping, or staying with family members who love your dog (and you!) but live in a location that's brand new to you.
3) Before you go, get tested
This suggestion isn't just about your health, it's for the safety and reassurance of those you will encounter. If you do go to see family or friends, imagine how much more relaxed they will feel -- and how much more welcoming they will be -- if they know you've been tested for the virus and are not infected. Everybody can truly chill out!
4) You can't get your dog tested, but you can take precautions
So far, there is no test for animals that's easily accessible because it isn't really needed; very few pets have contracted the virus, and so far the few that have been have mostly been cats. Just be sure to keep your best friend away from other animals as much as possible, and travelling with them won't be a problem.
5) You can't go to Europe, so explore your home country!
Right now American visits to Europe have been suspended, unless they agree to self isolate for 14 days, and who wants to spend even part of their vacation doing that? Instead, seize the opportunity to explore and visit places in the U.S. you've always dreamed of seeing but never have, like the Grand Canyon or the small towns of New England. You and your four legged buddy can make a great solo holiday out of visiting neighbouring states, places you may have longed to see but, for various reasons, postponed travelling to. Now is the time, even in the midst of the pandemic.
The coronavirus is not over in the U.S., but you and your dog can have a great holiday in spite of that. It just takes a little forethought and planning. So get on Google, call your friends and family across America, and find out who's willing to host you and your hiking companion -- your dog!