Many individuals are returning to their activities before COVID 19 restrictions without any precautions. However, I caution those that have been diagnosed with cancer, undergoing cancer treatment, or those in survivorship to still proceed with social distancing, wearing masks in public places, and utilizing frequent handwashing techniques to keep you safe.
Before traveling especially over the Fourth of July weekend, I have 4 things that I recommend:
- Make a doctor’s appointment or televisit and discuss your plans to travel with your physician. That way your physician can speak to you about concerns, specific recommendations, or restrictions if necessary and make sure all of your prescriptions are refilled before your trip.
- Consider keeping some medical records with you such as your current and past cancer treatments as well as all your physician’s contact information.
- Travel with all your original prescription bottles – even if you have a pillbox that you use weekly.
- Use COVID 19 precautions even if you are vaccinated. These are the same as infection precautions.
Remember, each state and country follow different guidelines. It is up to you to keep yourself protected. Per CDC, masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on a ferry or the top deck of a bus). CDC recommends that travelers who are not fully vaccinated continue to wear a mask and maintain physical distance when traveling.
