Top tips for travelling during Covid

Keep Calm & Make a List

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step”, says Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, & yet in the times we find ourselves in now, it can be said that the reverse is the case, & a journey of as little as one mile appears to begin with an abundance of steps. To quote another wise man, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”, which is perhaps the most valuable advice for anyone looking to travel right now.

If you are one who likes to keep checklists in advance of any trip – don’t forget to pack your passport (check), wallet (check)…the list just got quite a lot longer, but the good news is, the simple act of making a list & actioning each point in order will help to reduce any apprehension you may be feeling & should ensure that your trip will go without a hitch.

We can’t promise to have all the answers, or guarantee that there won’t be any unforeseen challenges – this was the case even before COVID – but the truth is, if we are all careful & responsible, practise physical distancing & abide by the rules, then travel should still be a positive & enjoyable experience.

Yet another quote comes to mind, which just goes to show how great minds think alike! Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning (Thomas Edison). The importance of careful planning & research cannot be over-stated. Be prepared for all eventualities, & have a plan B up your sleeve. Things to plan for include:

Is your destination deemed to be low risk? If not then might be worth a change of plans

Check the local rules & restrictions on official government websites, as they are different in each country & in a constant state of flux. Also IATA has created a special COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map. You can check up-to-date country requirements at iatatravelcenter.com. Do check it again before your flight departure, as rules are frequently changing, to avoid any nasty surprises at the airport.

What measures are local governments, airlines, hotels etc. instigating to reduce the risk of virus transmission? Make sure you are comfortable with these.

Does your chosen airline also have rules in place? E.g. h& luggage policies, food served on the plane, etc.

A lot of airlines are now requiring you to have a negative COVID PCR Test certificate in order to fly. Do plan according to the timing of your flight & factor in the time to receive the COVID test result, if that is the requirement on your flight. The timing of this is critical.

Complete all necessary travel documentation – most countries need forms to be completed in advance, & will have time limits & other requirements to be met. Does it need to be submitted online, or at check in or immigration? If you haven’t completed everything needed, you may be fined, or experience unnecessary delays & stress.

Ensure you are fully covered in your travel insurance, in case you experience health problems while abroad. More & more airlines are offering automatic COVID-19 insurance for passengers, often for up to 31 days travel, although this insurance applies to COVID-19 only & would not replace your regular travel insurance policy.

When planning your itinerary, try to avoid places with big crowds. If you want to visit a popular attraction consider going at a time when fewer people will be there. Also, do check if the places you want to visit are operating a normal or reduced schedule, to avoid disappointment.

When booking your transport to the airport, allow for extra time – at least two hours is advised to get through the airport, with the additional checks & security measures. Currently in a lot of cases, online check-in won’t get you a boarding pass without visiting the physical check-in desk, as the agent will have to manually check your documents (if any negative PCR test is required etc.) & ask you to sign a form for contact tracing & health declaration purposes.

You may want to eat before you travel, as in-flight catering has been stopped on many flights (check with your airline as to what they are recommending). Even many airport F&B outlets remain closed so eating at home would be the safest bet. If your flight is long, or you have connections, then plan your meals ahead of time & pack extra drinks & snacks.

Be prepared that your 5* hotel may be a lot more sparse than normal. Soft furnishings will have been removed, as well as any non-essential items. Early & late check-ins may also not be possible due to the more thorough cleaning that has to be carried out in each room between guests. If there are delays, be patient, as it’s far more important to be safe than sorry.

Be prepared for cancellations, as the situation is evolving daily in each country. A good resource for the latest world updates is the official webpage of the WHO). Not very comforting, but a ‘hope for the best & expect the worst’ attitude will help you to accept if your plans need to change at the last minute.

Safety First, Second Nature.

This may be obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning, again & again if necessary. Please don’t travel if you have symptoms of COVID-19, or have recently been in close contact with someone who has symptoms. We are all collectively responsible for containing the spread of this virus. The best laid plans go to waste, but no dream holiday is worth risking your health, or that of others. If you suspect that you could have the virus, please self-isolate & get the attention that you need. Some airports & airlines are carrying out temperature checks on all passengers, to decide if you can travel.

Another obvious one, but worth imprinting in your brain – there are some simple, tried & tested ways to stay safe & healthy & prevent the spread of this virus:

Mask up. It’s compulsory in many places, especially when on flights, using public transport or in crowded enclosed spaces such as shops & supermarkets. Even if not a mandatory requirement, it’s still advisable. So, be sure to pack plenty of face masks, & if you want to help the environment then there’s no end of fun & practical reusable fabric masks. Some airlines are also offering travel hygiene kits.

Keep your distance! It’s widely recognized that practicing physical distancing of 1-2m from anyone outside of your bubble is effective. If you’re worried about being able to distance yourself on the plane, be reassured that with the HEPA filters & cleaning in place on flights at the moment, research suggests in-flight transmissions are low.

Clean hands, safe hands. Wash your hands often & thoroughly, either with hot water & soap or with h& sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

This all may seem like a lot to do, however so much of it is obvious, & it’s all designed to help reduce the risk of anything going wrong on the day. Travel is proven to be good for your mental health, & you’ll even be doing your bit for the local economies, so don’t be put off. Simply list up & start packing!