With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of Summer, and many eager to travel as restrictions slowly lift, the question of whether or not its safe to travel right now is still on the minds of many.
The truth is, traveling can increase the spread of the virus and your chance of getting sick. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying at home if your trip isn't essential, especially if you're at higher risk for illness, or if you're currently ill.
But if your trip is considered essential travel; the Florida Health Department suggests:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after being in a public place, blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Wear a face covering.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever.
- Keep six feet distance and avoid close contact with others.
"We actually got about 300 calls into our airport on Friday, about travel safety and things of the sort, which was a big day for us and a sign that people are curious and still interested in traveling." said Emily Nipps, with Tampa International Airport.
Nipps says Tampa International Airport is averaging around 200 flights a day, with both arrivals and departures. Compared to the 500 a day average they saw this time last year.
"We passed the 10,000 daily mark on Friday. The airport is still pretty empty, we have limited shops and restaurants open at the airport because we don't have the traffic to support them all."
Tampa International Airport is also seeing fewer passengers, averaging around less than 20,000 daily these days, compared to 70-80,000 daily passengers they saw just last year, according to Nipps.
The loss in travel activity isn't happening just at TPA, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport recently reported seeing less than 6,000 passengers in April because of the coronavirus outbreak.
"We think it'll be a long time possibly years before we see the numbers we saw even three months ago. We don't want to just tell people, 'oh its safe,' we want them to know what we're doing, and when they're comfortable again we want them to fly" said Nipps.
Here's a look at some recent changes TPA has put in place to keep travelers safe:
- Additional cleaning staff at TPA that will use disinfectants on surfaces, hand rails and elevator buttons.
- Adding more hand sanitizing stations.
- Making face masks available to all Face masks to all airport employees.
- Set up of floor markings and signs to show 6-foot distancing at ticket counters, boarding gates, shuttles, the SkyConnect train, concessions counters, U.S. Customs and common areas.
- Reduced, blocked off or spaced apart seating near gates, dining areas, work stations and in greeting areas of the main terminal.
Here's a look at some recent changes St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport have put in place to keep travelers safe:
- Increased cleaning and sanitizing procedures. Sanitizing all surfaces; disinfecting hard surfaces and high-touch areas throughout the airport
- Increased cleaning efforts in the restrooms and other public areas • Assuring public restrooms are supplied with soap and towels
- Additional hand sanitizing stations Installed throughout the airport
- Sanitize the entire airport monthly with Clorox 360 or similar product
For an update on the TPA airlines schedules, click here, and for updates on St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport schedules, click here.
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