COVID-19 has altered the travel domain drastically. From the whole travel and tourism industry to the aviation industry, everything had taken a hard hit. But most of them are coming into term with the challenges posed by COVID-19 and are trying to get back on feet.
Granted, travel would not be the same as it was before. We will all have to adapt to it and try to live, skirting around this pandemic. So how can we travel responsibly during and after the COVID-19 period?
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- Check symptoms before you start your travel – Check your symptoms and make sure you are completely healthy before you embark on your travel plans. This is to prevent others from getting infected because of your negligence. You can take the help of a coronavirus symptoms checker to ascertain that you are not showing any apparent symptoms of the virus.
- Travel closer to home – If you are still sceptical about vacationing to far and wide location, stick to off-beat and less famous locations near you. You could avoid a long time on flights and the jostling crowd. You might even stumble upon rare and beautiful places while exploring off-beat locations. It reduces your exposure to the virus.
- Opt for travel advisors – While travelling to foreign destinations that you have little grasp about, it is better to take the help of veteran travel advisor before planning your trip. They will be more predisposed to guide you through the do’s and dont’s. They will be up-to-date on the latest changes happening in the travel domain. They can advise you on how to plan, travel and the best places to visit that would minimise your risk to exposure to coronavirus.
- Get a travel insurance – Another commodity that will become a necessity during and post the COVID season would be the international travel insurance. Although travel insurance is mandatory while you travel to some countries, you can do away without it in some other countries. But despite if it is compulsory or not, get a travel insurance while going on any international travel. A travel insurance will help you cover your medical expenses while you are abroad. Without this, the humongous hospital bills will create severe financial peril for you. It will also help cover for passport loss, baggage loss, flight delays and flight cancellations.
- Keep hygiene a priority – The important lesson we have learnt during this pandemic is the need for personal hygiene. Keep practising washing your hands often. Do not touch your mouth, eyes and nose. Wear a mask and gloves whenever you go out, to be on the safe side. Check out Unigloves to buy hand gloves. Many countries also mandate wearing a mask. A mask will prevent others from catching the infection from you. Furthermore, it could also act as a deterrent from touching your face often.
- Pack differently – While before, you threw in your favourite sundresses and cool shades into your luggage while packing, from now on you will have to make space for the following items as well:
a. Face masks.
b. Handwash.
c. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol).
d. Disinfectant wipes (at least 70% alcohol) for surfaces.
e. Thermometer to monitor your temperature.
These products are necessary that can help you prevent getting infected. - Avoid overly crowded attractions, restaurants, and maintain social distancing – The importance of social distancing cannot be stressed enough. You cannot predict whether the person coming into close proximity with you might have the disease or not. A lot many could be asymptomatic. Hence the best measure is to maintain social distancing with people while travelling. Avoid overcrowded places. Try to opt for takeaways from your favourite restaurants.
- Be aware of the airport’s rules and where to fly in and fly out – Different countries are undertaking different measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Make sure you are thoroughly aware of the fly in and fly out rules of the destinations you are travelling to. They could mandate prerequisites before you could board the plane. Once you reach your destination adequately prepare transportation beforehand, to your location.
- Opt for home rentals, villas, and private accommodation – Vacation rentals, villas and private accommodations are more appealing choices than hotels. You would be the sole occupant in villas and vacation rentals. There is less chance of you coming into contact with other unknown parties, whereas a lot many people come and go in a hotel increasing the chances of coronavirus exposure.
- Keep up-to-date on government authorities – Depending on the decrease and spike in the case numbers; government authorities would be sending in notifications. They could put a place on lockdown or even remove restrictions to particular areas where you can drop in to visit. Keep updated on such news. Tuning into the local news of the places you are travelling to would be a foolproof way.
