It’s spring, which is normally a glorious time of year. The flowers are blooming and animals are bringing out their young. Normally, we’d recommend heading outdoors and spending as much time in the sunshine as possible. But the coronavirus has changed a lot about traveling both in Arizona and beyond. Many of our readers are wondering, “Am I allowed to travel within Arizona during these trying times?”
Arizona traveling COVID-19 initiatives
At the time of this writing, Arizona travel coronavirus restrictions aren’t fully in place. Individuals can still travel across the state and appreciate the natural beauty of the desert landscape as they could before. Additionally, travel to and from other states is not restricted.
This being said, Governor Doug Ducey initiated a Stay Home order on March 31, 2020. This is not a set of outright Arizona travel restrictions through or outside the state, but it does heavily pressure citizens to remain home if at all possible and only travel if absolutely necessary. As Ducey said, keeping Arizonans, “…safe and healthy as we slow the spread of COVID-19 remains our top priority.”
The executive order specifically states that Arizonans need to:
- limit their time away from their place of residence or property unless they
- must conduct or participate in essential activities or
- must pursue employment or
- must utilize the services or products provided by essential business services.
Arizona’s national parks, Grand Canyon National Park, Saguaro National Park, and Petrified Forest National Park, have different levels of closures depending on their location in the state. Arizona state parks have also placed some regulations to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, so it’s always best to double-check with the park you hope to visit before heading out for a weekend of camping or for day-use activities.
Social distancing advisories
In light of the governor’s order, Arizona traveling coronavirus advisories don’t outlaw basic travel and exercise if necessary. Exercise helps to avoid the negative side effects you might feel from being cooped up too long. Following smart social distancing policies can allow you to continue to enjoy Arizona’s natural splendor and get some of the spring sun on your face even while keeping your infection likelihood down.
Here are some smart rules to follow. You shouldn’t use parks or trails if you’re exhibiting symptoms of illness, and you should follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance on personal hygiene before you visit any public area. You should also try to remain at least six feet apart from other people at all times. This might mean giving people space on a trail and letting them pass you are passing them proactively.
It’s also a good idea to wear a homemade mask whenever possible, even if you don’t think that you have the coronavirus or are at risk of catching it. The CDC does say that wearing a cloth face mask of some variety is one of the best ways to prevent transmission. You can get creative with these masks if you don’t want to wear a hospital one; use a bandana or handkerchief you’d use on your outdoor expeditions already. It’s a great way to get into the spirit of the best outdoor season of the year, even if it’s not the same as last year.
In summary, we’d definitely recommend that you go out for exercise at least once per day and take advantage of the good weather while it lasts. Remember to practice good hygiene to help keep yourself and others safe at the same time.
It may also be a smart idea to practice social distancing by heading out for a trip in your RV. Pack some essentials and find a spot away from it all; just be sure there’s a way to keep receiving the news as things progress. Thankfully, Arizona’s travel restrictions haven’t impacted too many RV campgrounds.
Substantial spread areas
While local Arizona travel COVID-19 restrictions aren’t in place for most of the state, the restrictions do impact a single group: those coming from “areas with substantial community spread.” Areas of the country with high cases of the coronavirus like New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are part of the executive order issued by Governor Ducey on April 7. Under the order, those individuals will need to isolate or quarantine themselves upon arrival for 14 days. The only exceptions to this group are healthcare workers, airline employees, military personnel, and other essential service providers.
Team Outdoorsy is here to help you along your journey. If you have questions or concerns about your upcoming RV rental, give us a call at 1-877-723-7232, send us an email, or start a chat. And for a continuously updated list of frequently asked COVID-19 questions relating to RV travel, visit our FAQ page.
