The coronavirus outbreak has made most of the travelers unsure about their travel plans, whether domestic or international. Many of you who have already bought tickets and booked accommodations must be gauging the situation carefully and thinking whether cancelling everything would be the safer option.
The fact is that the Covid-19 outbreak is unprecedented, and even experts are unable to predict where the situation is heading. All we have is government travel advisories, lists of health precautions, and reports of casualties from all over the world, for the time being.
Should You Travel, in the first place?
Although the pandemic has created havoc in countries like Italy, the USA, the UK, many other places have a more manageable situation. After all, risk perception varies to every individual, and it ultimately comes down to your comfort level. If your airline has already cancelled the flights to your destination or the place you would go to has a large number of Covid-19 cases, you don’t have any choice but to postpone your journey. However, if your prospect is not so grim and you think of the situation, rather, as an opportunity to get bargain deals and visit the place of your choice, you should go ahead.
On whichever side, you may be, safety must be your priority. Here, we discuss five informative tips to help you travel safely during the times of the coronavirus pandemic.
1. Review the Situation in the Places You Are Visiting and Follow Travel Advisories
If you are planning to travel to another continent, it is not enough to check the situation at your destination. Most international flights have transit points, which can also be having an outbreak of the coronavirus. Gather as much information as you can about your destination and transit points and follow country travel advisory to decide whether your chosen place is safe to travel.
In the present situation, you should avoid big cities and metros. You can also think about domestic travel as it reduces both the risk of Covid-19 and the troubles of following international travel restrictions for you.
Travelling locally also gives you the opportunity for a hair raising car journey in which you can enjoy the scenery all along with your dear ones without being tensed all the time about contagion. If you are travelling in your four-wheeler, keep the interiors of your car roomy and clean and place all your stuff on the roof with the help of a jeep roof rack.
2. Check the State of Your Physical and Mental Health
These are tense times, and if you are already feeling the heat from your home, you should first assess your medical condition before setting out. In the onslaught of Covid-19, many of the regular healthcare facilities are under stress, and you may not receive the required medical attention in all places.
Make sure your immunity levels are good, and your existing health issues are under control. Any major underlying diseases can make you more susceptible to the virus when you travel. The best way to get an idea of your health is by calling up your regular doctor.
Mental health is another major factor you should be careful about. Anxiety can make you weak in such bleak times, and you must do everything to remain cheerful.
With a healthy body and mind, and equipped with the proper safety measures, you will be able to travel, given that you know how to avert the risks.
3. Take All the Safety Measures While Travelling
Being responsible and taking adequate safety measures while travelling are the best ways to reduce the risk of contamination. Avoid public transport while going to the airport. Wear a face mask all the time, and do not touch your face throughout the journey. If you are out of masks, you can use a cloth covering to cover your mouth and nose.
When you reach the airport, avoid physical contact as much as possible. Do all the transactions digitally and get your boarding pass on your mobile. Keep a minimum of six feet distance from other people and also make sure that your luggage is at a safe distance too.
Airlines are taking safety measures like providing digital passes, minimizing physical contact among passengers, keeping distance in the sitting arrangement of the passengers, etc. From your end, try to obey such rules. Try to be seated throughout the flight and avoid touching your gadgets and other personal stuff. If you have children with you, be extra careful with them since children sometimes tend to touch or lick everything they can grab.
4. Don’t Forget to carry Essentials With You, Including Food
You can’t remain hungry throughout a long journey, nor can you keep your kids unfed just because there is a health risk in public transports. However, it will also not be ideal to eat food in public places, airports, including the food offered on the plane. Instead, pack water bottles, dry food, and snacks from home. Eat them from the containers without touching the food. Make small disposable packs so that you can dispose of the food-pack after eating.
Besides food, pack enough numbers of soap and hand sanitizers. Wash your hands frequently with these and avoid the ones kept in public toilets. Carry extra sets of towels and handkerchiefs, and don’t forget to wash them after every use.
5. Tweak Your Travel Plan According to the Situation
You would have planned the trip before the pandemic began, but now, the situation has turned upside down. Check whether the hotel you had booked is still accommodating tourists. Also enquire about possible changes in the offers they had initially promised and changes in costs, if any.
If your destination is an urban area, you should know about the spread of the virus, not just in that city but also in the surrounding regions. Keep a close watch on WHO situation reports to remain updated regarding the situation in places across the globe.
Even if the place you are going to feels relatively safer, avoid adventures in crowded areas. Avoid markets, overcrowded parks, and public swimming pools. Be informed about health facilities and emergency services so that you can avail them if the need arises.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are travelling or not, remember that taking necessary safety measures can save you from the virus at home and on the move. Therefore, equip yourself with the essential information and be prepared, no matter where you are. Practices like washing your hands, covering your face, and maintaining physical distance are going to be crucial in such times even if you stay home.
Guest post written by: Rebecca Siggers
