Day: October 28, 2021

News and Information

Getting Where You Need to Go During COVID-19: 8 Travel Safety Tips

Fernando Gray

The coronavirus pandemic has affected all types of travel, from leisure vacations to business trips. In fact, 65% of companies across the globe have canceled or rescheduled meetings and conferences. Since the best way to slow the spread is to stay put, that shouldn’t come as a surprise. While the safest option is to reschedule your trip, sometimes that’s not possible. If a family member or friend needs help, you’ll do whatever you can to get there. Luckily, these travel safety tips can make the journey as safe as possible.

Read on to learn how to keep yourself safe when traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

1. Know the Conditions at Your Destination

Before you book your trip or make any concrete plans, see what the conditions are like at your destination. What’s the infection and hospitalization rate? What kind of restrictions do businesses have in place?

After all, you don’t want to arrive at your destination only to find out that everything’s closed. It’s also at this point where you can decide whether or not the trip is worth taking. 

If you’re traveling to a state in the U.S., check that state’s public health website. Some states have 14-day quarantine requirements for when you arrive. You can also check on social media to get a sense of the activity in the area. 

If you’re staying at a hotel, call ahead and learn about their policies on disinfecting and mask-wearing. 

2. Pack the Right Hygiene Products

Packing for any trip can be time-consuming, but during COVID-19 you also need to pack the right hygiene products. No matter where you’re going or how far you’re traveling, you’ll need to keep your hands clean. Plus, you’ll need to disinfect any surfaces you touch. 

You’ll want to stock up on disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues, disposable rubber gloves, and plastic ziplock bags. 

If you’re road tripping, know that you might have to rely on gas stations and rest stops to use the bathroom. Wash your hands thoroughly and use your hygiene products to wipe surfaces.

If you’re flying on a plane, the TSA will let each person bring up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer in their carry on bag. Even if you’re not flying, keep hand sanitizer in your bag or in the car where you can get to it. Use it whenever you can’t wash your hands. 

If you stay at a hotel or a rental house, use disinfectant wipes to clean hard surfaces like tables, light switches, and remote controls. The disposable gloves are great for pumping gas because you can throw the glove away when you’re done. 

3. Always Wear a Mask

You’ll also want to pack plenty of masks. Disposable surgical masks and homemade masks both offer protection. 

You should wear a mask any time you’re in public and you can’t stay at least 6 feet away from other people. That means stores, gas stations, restaurants, and rest stops. 

Most cities and individual businesses require you to wear a mask to come inside. Even if they’re not required, you should still wear a mask to protect others and yourself while you’re traveling. 

4. Wash Your Hands Often

The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. You should do this after returning from a store, visiting any high-traffic area like an airport, or blowing your nose. 

Whether or not it’s during a travel day, try to avoid touching your face. Good hand washing practices is one of the best ways to protect yourself.

You can also wash your hands throughout the day as you think of it. When in doubt, wash your hands. 

If you can’t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer and rub it in until your hands feel dry. 

5. Bring Your Own Food When Possible

Whether you’re going on a road trip or to the airport, pack your own food. This will cut down on your interactions with other people as well as handling money.

Plus, if restaurants and stores are closed, you’ll still have something to eat. 

If you’re traveling by road, make sure to take plenty of bottled water with you. Staying hydrated is important and you won’t have to stop at gas stations as often.

If you’re traveling by plane, pack an empty water bottle instead. TSA limits the amount of liquids you can bring through security. But, you can refill your water bottle once you get past security. 

6. Avoid Places Where Social Distancing Isn’t Possible

Whether you’re taking a road trip to a national park or you’re flying to visit family, avoid crowded places when you can. The CDC recommends keeping at least 6 feet away from other people. 

To keep yourself as safe as possible when you travel, only visit places where people are following social distancing. You might need to change your plans or return when it’s not as busy. Keep your plans flexible so you can stay safe. 

For example, if you get to a restaurant that doesn’t have outdoor seating, don’t feel pressured to stay. Instead, you could head to a grocery store deli and enjoy an outdoor picnic. If a tourist attraction is too busy, try to return the next day when it’s not so busy. 

You should also avoid going to large parties, wedding receptions, or any other big gatherings.

7. Book Private Transportation When You Can

A great way to lower your chance of exposure is to book private transportation. If you need airport transfer, book a private car service instead of taking public transportation. This will cut down on your interaction with the public.

You can also call ahead to learn about their cleaning or mask-wearing policies. When you’re traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to be proactive. Learn what to expect so you can prepare for a safe trip. 

8. Pay With Cards Instead of Cash

It’s also a good idea to pay with a debit or credit card instead of cash when you’re traveling.

This will cut down on your close contact with other people. Plus, the money itself can harbor dirt and bacteria. Paying with a card will keep your hands cleaner.

After paying with a card, you can use a disinfectant wipe to clean the card. Then, use hand sanitizer to clean your hands.   

Make Travel Safety a Priority

Travel safety is always important, but it’s even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. No matter the reason for your trip, you can enjoy peace of mind if you stick to these travel safety tips. 

If you’re in need of high-quality transportation, Corporate Transportation can help. We offer airport transfers, shuttle services, charter buses, limo service, and more in the St. Louis area. 

Contact us today and we’ll get you where you need to go. 

The post Getting Where You Need to Go During COVID-19: 8 Travel Safety Tips appeared first on Blog | Corporate Transportation St. Louis.

News and Information

7 Reasons to Choose a St. Louis Limo Service

Fernando Gray

Is there anything more glamorous than traveling from place to place in a limousine? For a long time in our culture, limos have been associated with wealth, success, romance, and status. Whether you’re looking for transportation to your wedding or to a business meeting, there are a lot of good reasons to hire a St. Louis limo.

Let’s take a look at 7 reasons why a limo service might be right for you.

1. Safety

When you hire a limo rental in St. Louis, your driver will be experienced and familiar with the area. You won’t have to worry about getting lost, getting used to local traffic patterns, or being distracted by the other people in the car.

Hiring a cab or an Uber can be a gamble. Hiring a limo is a much safer option. This means that you can think about what really matters rather than worrying about your safety.

If you’re out on the town celebrating, the last thing you want is for one of the people in your party to have to hold back from having fun so they can be the designated driver. When you hire a limo, everyone can participate in the celebration and you can arrive at all your destinations safe and sound.

2. Efficiency

Are you looking for a wedding limo in St. Louis? No matter the event you’re heading for, you know that time is of the essence. This means that arriving late is completely out of the question.

When you hire a limo in St. Louis, MO, you don’t have to worry about getting lost or arriving late. Since the driver will be familiar with the area, they’ll avoid congested routes that could hold you back.

The last thing you want is to be late to your own wedding. It’s best to hire a professional who can get you there on time and in style.

3. Travel Together

If you’re traveling with a group, why not all get to travel together? When everyone travels separately, you inevitably always get stuck waiting around for that one friend or coworker that can’t ever seem to be on time.

Whether you’re heading to your wedding, bachelorette party, a special night on the town, or a business meeting, riding in a limo is a very special way to spend time together. This is a great time to bond, discuss plans, and generally, just have a good time.

4. Avoid Parking Stress

One of the most stressful things that can happen is when you arrive on time in a location only to find that there’s nowhere to park. You spend what feels like ages looping around blocks, getting further and further from your destination as you follow one-way streets trying to find a spot. Even if there is a garage or a lot, city parking can frequently be incredibly expensive.

When you hire a limo service, you don’t have to worry about parking at all. You’ll be dropped off and picked up right at the door like the VIP you are.

5. Affordability

While limos are seen as the pinnacle of luxury and wealth, renting a limo can actually be very affordable. When you consider the cost of other modes of transportation such as renting a car or hailing a cab and factor in how much time and effort a limo saves you, it’s an affordable choice to make.

This is particularly true if you’re traveling with a large group where you can split the cost. Think about how much it would cost in cab fares, parking fares, and gas to get all of you to your destination. Hiring a limo often reduces the complexity of your outing and saves money.

6. The Luxury You Deserve

Let’s be serious: it’s a little silly to even try and compare a limousine to a taxi cab. Riding in a limo is luxurious, glamorous, and memorable while taking a cab is drab, unexciting, and forgettable.

When you hire a limo, you can choose which package you’d like. This means you can pick out which perks and extras you want included in your package.

There’s nothing better than feeling like a true VIP. Renting a limo in St. Louis, MO, is one of the best ways to have that experience.

7. Focus On What’s Important

Whether you’re traveling for business or on your way to the altar, there are more important things for you to focus on than the logistics of driving from one place to another. When you are riding in the back of a limo, you can pay attention to the things that are most important to you, whether it’s discussing an upcoming corporate presentation or spending quality time with your wedding party.

The Right St. Louis Limo Service For the Job

Are you looking for a St. Louis limo service that is reliable and offers luxury services? Look no further than Corporate Transportation.

Our carefully selected team of chauffeurs are professional and polite along with having extensive training. You’ll find that our fleet of luxury vehicles is extensive. You’ll be able to choose from executive vans, party buses, SUVs, sedans, limos, and more.

When you choose Corporate Transportation, you won’t ever have to worry about safety, as we have an on-site mechanic who performs regular maintenance and extensively inspects each vehicle before each trip. We are here to provide the best possible service to you, so you can focus on what really matters.

Is it time for you to hire a limo in St. Louis, MO? Reserve your limo service online today!

The post 7 Reasons to Choose a St. Louis Limo Service appeared first on Blog | Corporate Transportation St. Louis.

Transportation Updates

Transportation Sanitation: How Companies Are Keeping You Safe During COVID

Fernando Gray

During the pandemic, many of us are concerned about the dangers of public transportation. With crowding and hesitation around others out of fear that they are sick, it’s easy to feel anxious about the sanitation of the vehicle you’re in.

How can you ensure that your ride won’t end in disaster?

Here are just a few of the ways that businesses are making sure that their public transportation vehicles are safe and clean during the COVID crisis, and how you can help keep yourself safe while traveling as well.

Sanitation Attention to Transport Hubs and Vehicles

Along with maintaining their vehicles to ensure public safety, companies have begun paying more attention to potential health hazards within their transportation hubs as well. Train and bus stations are being more attentive to sanitation when cleaning and sanitizing their areas, and certain standards are being met to protect passengers.

Considering the large number of people who pass through on a daily basis, areas where people can be confined for safety purposes have been created at airports, train stations, bus terminals, and other major public transportation areas.

“Pinch points” have also been created to allow people to cross through different sections of buildings to get to their final destination, preventing too many people from being in one area.

Cleaning Vs. Disinfecting

While cleaning vehicles has always been an important routine for any public transportation service, companies have begun disinfecting their vehicles as well to keep them safe. They are taking extra sanitation steps to ensure safety.

What is the difference, and why is it important?

While cleaning only removes dirt, germs, and dust from surfaces, it does not completely kill bacteria. Disinfecting surfaces, however, is meant to kill any remaining bacteria left behind during the cleaning process. Most companies are requiring their workers or personal cleaning crews to clean and disinfect vehicles before and after every passenger or load of passengers has boarded the vehicle.

By combining the two and being more diligent with routines, public transport services are ensuring that there aren’t any remaining germs or bacteria within their vehicles from the previous passengers. 

Keeping Social Distance Regulations

Naturally, any public transportation service that carries more than one passenger at a time is doing its best to keep to the 6 feet social distance regulation to ensure the safety of its passengers. 

When using public transport during the pandemic, it’s important both to try to sit as far away from the driver and other passengers as possible. Cracking the windows open will also help improve air circulation and prevent the spread of disease. 

For smaller vehicles, such as limousine services or personal transportation services for smaller groups of people, this may be more difficult, but should still be taken into account. Try to place as much space between yourself and other passengers as possible to protect yourself and them.

Mandatory Masks

In most places, any form of public transportation is requiring the usage of masks to stop the spread of disease. Unless the individual is 2 years old or younger, is physically unable to breathe while using a mask, or is in some way incapacitated, a mask will need to be worn in order to enter the vehicle.

Masks help limit the spread of disease by protecting yourself and others from bacteria in their breath. They especially help if the person wearing a mask is asymptomatic and doesn’t realize that they are carrying the disease.

Use of Larger Vehicles

Certain types of public transportation are using larger vehicles for business; this is especially true for Lyft and Uber drivers. Vans and trucks are better suited for this type of job, as there is more available room to space yourself from the driver and any other passengers that may be in the vehicle.

What Types of Vehicles Should be Disinfected

It’s important for companies to understand what types of vehicles should be disinfected to prevent the spread of the virus. Any vehicle that is meant to carry more than the driver should be disinfected thoroughly between uses. This includes, but is not limited to:

Work vehiclesUnderground/above ground bus systemsTrainsAircraftFerries

Sanitation of the seats, dashboard, window ledges, armrests, steering wheel, and other parts of the vehicle that are touched frequently by the driver and passengers should all be carefully cleaned and disinfected between uses to prevent the spread of illness.

When in Doubt

If you are still uncertain about the safety of public transportation, there are some simple steps that you can take to keep yourself clean and healthy.

1. Regularly Wash Your Hands

Before and after going out or taking public transportation, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands using either sanitizing soap or any CDC recommended soaps.

2. Keep Personal Cleaning Supplies on Hand

Keeping items such as hand sanitizer or some form of sanitizing wipe for areas you come into contact with will help limit the amount of bacteria you will be exposed to. 

3. Limit Trips Out

Limiting your usage of public transportation to only when necessary is an important tip to keeping yourself safe. Keeping quarantined will limit the likelihood of exposure to the virus, and keep you from spreading it if you are infected and asymptomatic. 

4. Avoid Touching Your Face

Any bacteria that you come into contact with while traveling is most likely to get into your body through your mouth, nose, or eyes; by limiting the amount of times you touch your face, you will be able to prevent yourself from getting sick.

5. Wear Gloves When Traveling Publicly

Wearing gloves will keep you from bringing bacteria home with you, but even if you do choose to wear gloves, you should still touch your face as little as possible.

6. If You Are Sick, Stay Home

To prevent the spread to others and to keep public transportation safe, if you are sick or believe you might be sick, it’s crucial to stay home or go see a doctor for confirmation.

Safe Transportation Made Easy

Thanks to additional sanitation procedures and additional practices of public transportation and the help of passengers, public transit will remain safe during the pandemic. 

How are you getting around during the crisis? Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear your stories and thoughts!

Comment down below with your experiences, and continue reading our blog for more information.

The post Transportation Sanitation: How Companies Are Keeping You Safe During COVID appeared first on Blog | Corporate Transportation St. Louis.