Newspaper Page Text
Page 6B — Wednesday, March 10, 2021 The True Citizen
What to Know When Planning a Trip
KELVIN COLLINS
If you are planning a get
away this spring or summer,
BBB recommends the follow
ing tips to minimize the risks.
• Understand the risks and
delay plans if possible. The
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) points
out that “COVID-19 cases,
hospitalizations, and deaths
are extremely high across the
United States.” Since travel
increases your risk of infection,
CDC recommends delaying
unnecessary travel plans to
protect yourself and others
from COVID-19. In addition,
if anyone in your household or
at your travel destination is at
high risk of infection, everyone
in the household should act as
if they, themselves are at in
creased risk of infection.
Research travel restrictions.
Travel restrictions vary by
state and country and are con
stantly changing. Visit the U.S.
State Department’s "Know
Before You Go" page and the
CDC Travel Planner to get
up-to-date information on CO-
VID-19 related travel restric
tions as you plan your trip and
as your travel dates approach.
Take precautions before and
after your trip. During the 14
days leading up to your trip,
avoid situations that could put
you at risk for infection, such
as attending large group events
or using public transportation,
recommends the CDC. Then,
get tested with a viral test 1-3
days before you travel and
keep a copy of your negative
test results with you. After your
trip, get tested again 3-5 days
after arriving home and make
plans to self-quarantine for 7
days after travel, regardless of
your test results. The CDC also
advises getting vaccinated, if
eligible, and waiting until two
weeks after your final vaccina
tion dose to travel.
Pack a “pandemic bag.”
Conde Nast Traveler recom
mends stocking up on pan
demic essentials before you
head out. Pack a bag with
COVID-19 prevention staples
including “hand sanitizer, face
masks, disinfecting wipes,
health insurance cards, a ther
mometer, latex gloves (for one
time use in public spaces), and
hand soap.” If you’ll be on the
road for extended periods of
time, it’s a good idea to bring
drinks and snacks along too so
as to avoid unnecessary stops
in public places.
Make flexible travel plans.
Flexibility is key during the
pandemic. Be willing to pay
extra for fully refundable
flights, car rentals, and ac
commodations. Your plans
may change last-minute due
to an unexpected lockdown or
infection.
Understand what travel in
surance covers. Many experts
remind travelers that purchas
ing travel insurance is wise,
but it may not cover every
situation. Read the fine print
or work with a travel agent to
understand how your policy
works. Most travel insurance
will cover medical expenses if
you get sick during your trip
or the cost of your trip if you
must cancel due to illness, but
they may not cover the cost of
your trip if you need to cancel
because a state or city goes into
lockdown unexpectedly. Read
BBB's tips on buying travel
insurance.
Opt for a road trip instead
of a flying. Waiting in security
lines and sitting on crowded
flights could increase your risk
of infection. If you, or anyone
you'll be in contact with, is
in a high-risk group, it’s best
to drive. Road travel carries
risks too, but it’s much easier
to mitigate them from within
a smaller space you and your
family control. Read BBB's
tips on renting an RV and buy
ing camping gear.
Book accommodations that
make it easy to follow CO-
VID-19 guidelines. Speak
directly with the hotel or host
before you book a stay. Find
out what precautions and sani
tary measures they are taking
in between guests. Inquire
about shared facilities, such
as gyms, pools, spas and res
taurants. In many cases, such
facilities could be shut down
until further notice. Make sure
you are comfortable with the
precautions any hotel or vaca
tion rental has in place ahead
of time.
Wear a mask and social
distance. To protect yourself
and your family, CDC advises
travelers to wear a mask, avoid
crowded areas and stay at
least six feet away from others
whenever you are in a public
space.
Enjoy the great outdoors.
Hiking and camping at state
and national parks are a great
way to enjoy warmer weather
since they don’t involve shar
ing indoor spaces with others.
If you want to stay a few days,
book your campsite well in
advance. Parks have become
a popular pandemic vacation
option and spaces are limited.
Get more advice by reading
BBB Tip: Adapting Travel
Plans for Coronavirus and
BBB Tips on COVID-19.
Stay informed about travel
restrictions and the spread of
the virus by visiting the Cen
ters for Disease Control and
Prevention’s travel page and
the U.S. Travel Association.
Go to BBB.org to look up
online marketplace business
profiles, hie a complaint, or
write a customer review. Visit
BBB Scam Tracker to research
and report scams.
Kelvin Collins is president
& CEO of the Better Business
Bureau serving the Fall Line
Corridor, serving 77 coun
ties in East Alabama, West
Georgia, Southwest Georgia,
Central Georgia, East Georgia
and Western South Carolina.
This tips column is provided
through the local BBB and
the International Association
of Better Business Bureaus
(IABBB). The Better Busi
ness Bureau sets standards
for ethical business behavior,
monitors compliance and helps
consumers identify trustwor
thy businesses. Questions or
complaints about a specific
company or charity should be
referred directly to the BBB at
Phone: 1-800-763-4222, Web
site: BBB.org or E-mail: info@
centralgeorgia. bbb.org
Come Socialize With Us!
"Great Deals...Great People...Great Fun!"
425 Highway 25 South
Millen, Georgia 30442
(478)401-5007
Tan 706.554.2111
for your copy
Meet Burke County’s
Brit Responders
Capt. Levi Bullock
Capt. Levi Bullock began his career
with Burke County EMA in January
2008. He was recently promoted to
captain and is the station captain for
Engine Company 6 in Gough. Bullock
is a certified paramedic and firefighter.
During the pinning ceremony for
promoted personnel, Bullock was
pinned by his father Nathan Bullock
who is a retired firefighter of 26 years
with Gwinnett County Fire/Rescue.
Originally from Lawrenceville, Bullock
and his family currently reside in
Bartow. He and his wife, Michelle,
have four sons: Wyatt, 7, Archer, 5,
Lennox, 4, and Dexter, 2.
Burke County EMA Office
Deputy Tessa Myers
Deputy Tessa Myers completed training at
the Georgia Public Safety Training Center
in Augusta and is currently assigned to the
Transportation Division. She has 26 years
of law enforcement experience, and during
her career she has served in various
positions to include road patrol, public
relations and civil. Myers is enrolled at
Faulkner University and will soon graduate
with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Myers lives in Burke County with her
husband, Rex, and are both members of
Gough Baptist Church. In her spare time,
she enjoys working on her farm, spending
time with family, painting and reading her
Bible.
Deputy Myers, we appreciate all you have
done to contribute to the community.
Burke County Sheriff’s Office
Proudly sponsored by:
TAYLOR BROTHERS AUTO SALES
1022 North Libert) Street, Waynesboro ■ 706-554-6974
Jefferson Energy Foundation Scholarship A|j
T he Jefferson Energy
Cooperative Foundation
is accepting scholarship
applications. Forms are available
at local Jefferson Energy’ offices,
as well (10066726-001) as the
guidance offices at local high
schools. Applicants must be a
member of Jefferson Energy
Cooperative. The deadline for
submitting applications is March
26, 2021. Please contact Suzanne
Saunders at (706) 547-5055 for
more information.