It is essential that travelers are aware and safe during their travels whether domestic or international. With that in mind, here are some things you should know when traveling during the pandemic.
Since early this year, most of the country has been on lockdown in an effort to try and slow the spread of the coronavirus. Travel bans were established and citizens were asked to remain in their homes unless for essential needs. It’s been a long and hard journey thus far. As curves begin to flatten across the world, countries are beginning to reopen in phases to slowly return to normalcy.
Naturally, with restrictions and travel bans lifting, people are anxious to either get back to business or getaway for a while. Though nowhere near the numbers before, the hospitality and tourism industries have started to see a trickle of people traveling again. This news is great for the global economy, but citizens are warned that the coronavirus is still very much a threat.
It is essential that travelers are aware and safe during their travels whether domestic or international. With that in mind, here are some things you should know when traveling during the pandemic.
Consider your risk factors
Before planning a trip, consider the risk factors for yourself and those traveling with you. Do you or someone you’re traveling with fall into the category of high-risk (meaning you’re a senior citizen, have underlying health conditions, etc)? Are the number of new coronavirus cases increasing, decreasing, or remaining the same in the destination you plan on traveling to?
Travel rules and regulations
Each region has its own set of travel rules and regulations during the pandemic. Some countries still have travel bans in place while others require a 14-day self-quarantine before and/or after travel. Before booking your trip, find out what the travel rules and regulations are where you live and at the destination, you plan on traveling to.
Transportation safety
How do you plan on getting to your destination? When traveling during the coronavirus pandemic, it is imperative to factor the level of safety of your transportation type. For example, if you’re taking a bus or a train, it may be difficult to remain at least 6 feet away from other passengers. If you’re planning a road trip, the more stops you make increases your risk of contracting the coronavirus.
For those traveling by plane, you’ll want to consider waiting in long lines and flying in a contained space for several hours. If you are going to travel by airline, it might be best to look for business class to Europe specials (or wherever you intend to travel to). The reason for this is that there are often fewer people on business class flights and the seats are often positioned further apart for comfort and privacy. This makes it easy for you to maintain social distancing.
Health and safety
If you’ve reviewed all the above information and decided that you’re still ready to travel during a pandemic, protecting yourself and those you travel with should be at the top of your list. For starters, make sure you pack enough personal protection equipment including face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. You want to make sure that you wear these things with you when in public.
As best you can, remain at least 6 feet away from others. Make sure that you’re washing your hands regularly or sanitizing if soap and water aren’t available. You should also avoid large public gatherings and stick to ordering takeout instead of dining in. Should you or someone you’re traveling with start to feel sick, get to a nearby medical facility to be tested and treated right away. It’s always best to be safe than sorry.
It’s been a long few months for the entire world as the coronavirus has infected millions and killed hundreds of thousands. While there has been significant improvement since implementing social distancing and stay-at-home orders, the battle is not yet won. Travelers interested in traveling during the pandemic are encouraged to keep the above-mentioned factors in mind and make informed decisions that keep you, your travel companions, and others safe.
