Assalamu Alaikum GSA Family,

If You Decide to Travel During the Winter Break or At Any Time During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Travel may increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. If you do decide to travel, be sure to take these steps during your trip to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

• Check travel restrictions before you go.
• Get your flu shot before you travel.
• Consider getting tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip.
• Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer.
• Know when to delay your travel. Do not travel if you or your travel companions are sick.
• Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
• Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not from your travel group.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

After You Travel

You may have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread the virus to others. You and your travel companions (including children) may pose a risk to your family, friends, and community after your travel.

• Reduce non-essential activities for a full 7 days after travel.
• Get tested with a viral test 3–5 days after your trip.
• If you don’t get tested, reduce non-essential activities for 10 days.
• Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you, particularly in crowded areas. It’s important to do this everywhere — both indoors and outdoors.
• Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are in shared spaces outside of your home, including when using public transportation.
• If there are people in the household who did not travel with you, wear a mask and ask everyone in the household to wear masks in shared spaces inside your home.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness.
• Watch your health: Look for symptoms of COVID-19, and take your temperature if you feel sick.
• If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. The CDC recommends a quarantine period of 14 days.

For more information on on how to stay safe and protect others during this pandemic, click on the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html.

Sheila D’Metayer, RN