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Just as family travel was returning strong, the Delta variant came along and messed everything up again. We support you, whether you choose to travel now, travel later, or cancel altogether!  

If you are among the young families out there choosing to keep your travel plans, we’ve got several Delta variant travel tips to help keep you and your little ones safe and happy throughout your trip!

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1. Consider getting vaccinated

The Covid vaccine is widely available everywhere in the US for those under the age of 12. If you don’t have a contraindication to the virus or vaccine, consider getting vaccinated to lessen the side effects of Covid or the Delta variant (if you do get it) and to help protect those around you. But keep in mind that even vaccinated individuals can spread the virus, so it’s impossible to have zero risk when traveling.

2. Know the vaccination status those you are visiting

If you’re heading out to visit friends or family, find out their vaccination statuses. If they are unvaccinated (or can’t get the vaccination), consider more strict social distancing and mask wearing. Don’t be shy about asking especially if you have unvaccinated children. The goal is to keep everyone safe!

3. Check travel restrictions

You might be familiar with the restrictions and mandates in your local community, city and state, however, things might be different where you’re traveling to. Things are changing daily with the new Delta variant case numbers. Call or check the website of the state and local health departments for up-to-date information. The last thing you want is to be caught off guard by closures or mandates that you didn’t know were in place.

4. Go on a road trip

Traveling with immediate family in the car provides some level of protection against the Delta variant. If you don’t have to travel too far, a road trip might be your safest form of travel. You won’t have to interact as much with others as you would when flying or using public transportation. Designate a responsible, mask wearing point person to venture inside the gas station or restaurants (to pay and get snacks and food) who will thoroughly wash and/or sanitize their hands before returning to the car. If a family road trip with little ones sounds daunting, don’t worry, we’ve got a survival guide for you! 

5. Travel by air with caution

When it comes to the Delta variant, air travel is generally more of a risk, for obvious reasons, than driving, but if flying with little ones is your preferred form of travel, we hear you! Just make sure you are prepared and that you prepare your little one(s) as well. All airlines and airports require masks now (even before the Delta variant came along) so don’t get caught without one.

Make sure you have a few backups in your pocket too. You will get kicked off your flight if you or your little one (over the age of 2) refuse to wear a mask! If your child isn’t used to wearing a mask or simply doesn’t like it, we highly recommend practicing with them ahead of time to avoid any issues.

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6. Schedule drives and flights during naptime

To help keep babies and toddlers most happy, try to plan the longest duration of our trip during nap times. Some families even prefer to drive at night or take a red eye flight. This way, little ones can sleep most of the time and you won’t have to keep them entertained as long! On that note, try to book direct flights to reduce time spent in the airports.

7. Keep hands clean

One of the best ways to keep from getting sick (with any virus) is to wash your hands and wash them often. If you don’t have access to a restroom with fresh water and soap, carry hand sanitizer with you when traveling. The CDC states that the Delta variant is more contagious than Covid-19 so keep your hands clean throughout your journey to reduce your chances of exposure.

8. Sanitize surfaces

Whether you’re in an airplane, a restaurant or have checked into a hotel, carry sanitizing wipes with you and sanitize surfaces before you settle in. Sanitizing wipes aren’t being hoarded anymore (yay!) and are readily available at local stores, so stock up before your trip.

9. Plan outdoor activities

The safest place to reduce exposure to the Delta variant is outside. Plan lots of outdoor activities with plenty of space to roam and explore. National parks are back open to the public and a great option to keep little (and big) minds excited and entertained. Uncrowded beaches are also a great option, and who doesn’t love a good beach vacay?! Don’t forget to rent a kid carrier or a beach package from yours truly!

10. Rent clean and safe baby equipment

Instead of trying to haul your own expensive baby gear through the airport (if you’re flying to your destination), rent it from a BabyQuip Quality Provider instead! You’ll reduce the chance of your gear becoming damaged or contaminated with Covid or the Delta variant during the process of checking it at the gate and having multiple people handle it to get it on and off of the airplane. 

If you’re driving, renting baby gear is also a great idea as it eliminates the need to stuff your vehicle with bulky gear that takes up precious cargo space! Keep in mind that all Quality Providers are following strict cleaning standards and requirements that are in line with the CDC recommendations. Your safety is our top priority!

We hope this helps you make an informed and educated decision on traveling with little ones during the Delta variant virus surge. Have you traveled lately with your children? How did it go? Did you have specific concerns? Tell us in the comments below!