As travel gains momentum, many airports are taking vigilant steps to ensure they create and maintain a clean, safe environment for travelers. The Greater Rochester International Airport is no exception. 

They’ve launched their #ReadySetROC campaign which details the new procedures implemented to keep everyone safe: airport employees, guests, and travelers!

Enhanced Cleaning: High touch areas are cleaned more frequently, and thoroughly, including using misting anti-bacterial cleaners on seats and surfaces.

Hand Sanitizer: Now installed in more locations, hand sanitizing stations are thoughtfully placed throughout the terminal building in high touch areas such as security checkpoints, boarding gates, and restrooms.

Face Coverings: Everyone is required to wear a face-covering inside the airport, and travelers are encouraged to check their airline’s policy in advance.

Social Distancing: To ensure proper social distancing, floor decals, signs, and markers were placed throughout the airport, especially where queuing is necessary: ticketing counters, security checkpoints, boarding, and food concessions.

Plastic Shields: Acrylic sneeze guards were installed at terminal public counters at all the locations mentioned above to keep airport staff, airline representatives, and travelers safe.  

Smart Phone Lot: Have someone picking you up? The airport encourages friends and family picking-up a traveler to use the new Smart Phone Lot. The lot includes a large Flight Information screen to view the arrival information. Once a traveler is ready to be picked up, they notify their transport and wait for them curbside.

Passengers arriving at the airport from their destination must fill out the required New York State Traveler Health Form online. However, before departing for any destination, whether by plane or another mode of travel, AAA encourages all travelers to plan! 

Check New York State’s Restricted State List daily, you can also use AAA’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map at TripTik.AAA.com to see the latest state and local travel restrictions. Want to know what it's like to travel at the moment? Shelley Eastmer, our Travel Manager, share her recent travels flying to East Coast destinations.

Lastly, travel safely with our tips:

Packing:

• Be sure to pack face coverings, gloves, cleaning supplies, like disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer, and thermometer. 
• If you can’t find gloves, bring some plastic sandwich bags. They can serve as an effective barrier between your hand and a fuel pump handle, doorknob, hotel remote control, etc.

Restrooms and rest stops:

• TripTik.AAA.com can help you determine which rest stops, gas stations, and hotels are open along your route.

Restaurants on the road:

• Use TripTik.AAA.com to find restaurants that are open along your way. Be aware that seating may be more limited – leading to longer wait times – because of reduced table capacity.
• If you choose to eat-in, consider wiping down your table with a disinfectant wipe. Use hand sanitizer after interacting with servers or cashiers.
• Drive-thru or curbside pick-up might be quicker and will reduce contact with other people.

Hotels:

• Always call ahead to ensure your hotel is open and to ask about any restrictions or changes to the check-in process. It’s likely that the hotel has reduced the face-to-face interactions with guests.
• When you check into your room, remember to wipe down surfaces with disinfecting wipes. Some surfaces to pay special attention to: light switches, door knobs, remote controls, room phones.
• Look for hotels that have earned AAA’s Best of Housekeeping badge. These hotels consistently demonstrate a commitment to the highest standards of cleanliness.

On the road:

• Travel with all necessary travel documentation, including health insurance cards.
• Pack snacks, water, disinfectant spray or wipes and thermometer. 
• Find the best gas price by using your AAA app. 
• Get rest before you hit the road. Drivers should not rely on their bodies to provide warning signs of fatigue and should instead prioritize getting plenty of sleep (at least seven hours) in their daily schedules. 
• Have an emergency kit in your vehicle. Consider this list of things to include and tips on where to stow them. Be sure to replenish any depleted items as needed.
  • Cell phone and car charger 
  • First-aid kit 
  • Blanket
  • Drinking water/snacks for everyone in the car including pets 
  • Flashlight with extra fresh batteries
  • Shovel
  • Face masks
  • Disposable gloves
  • Hand sanitizer

Rental Cars:

• Rental-car companies have adopted extra sanitization measures in the wake of COVID-19. Hertz, for example, has introduced Hertz Gold Standard Clean, an enhanced vehicle disinfectant and sanitization process.
• Customers should research or ask companies what they have done to sanitize vehicles. For extra peace mind, use disinfecting wipes to wipe down door handles, steering wheels, shifters and control panels.

Air or rail travel: 

• Pack face masks, gloves, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer for the airport and while on the plane. TSA has announced passengers are allowed one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice.
• Wipe down your space – seat, tray table, arm rest, seat belt, screen, etc.
• Purchase beverages and snacks once through security and before boarding. Many airlines are suspending in-flight beverage service. Amtrak café service still offers food service, but as carryout only. Seating in the café will be closed.
• Passengers should check with their carrier for details about face coverings, boarding process and seating arrangements.
• If traveling by rail consider, where available, private rooms for both short and long-distance trips.
• Continue to practice social distancing on trains and planes. 

Are you considering traveling, but have further questions? You can speak with one of our travel agents on the phone, have an in-person meeting, or chat virtually!

CONTACT AAA TRAVEL