Traveling during the coronavirus pandemic? The Future of Travel: New Travel Standards We Should Prepare For
It is essential that we “wanderlusters” are aware and safe during our travels whether domestic or international. With that on top of mind, here are some things you should know when traveling during the pandemic.
As we enter the first summer of this new normals, a tenuous easing of travel restrictions has begun.
This month, some countries of the European Union have reopen and they plan to allow travel from outside the nation.
Singapore and China have begun permitting essential travel between them, but only for passengers who test negative for the coronavirus, use a contact-tracing app, and don’t deviate from their itinerary.
Popular destinations like Iceland and Greece have started to allow Summer tourists, from permitted countries but, it plans to test them for the virus at the airport.
Before you go anywhere it’s important to ask yourself…
Is COVID-19 spreading where you’re going?
You can get infected while traveling.Is COVID-19 spreading in your community?
Are you or those you are traveling with more likely to get very ill from COVID?
Do you live with someone who is more likely to get very ill from COVID?
Does the state or local government where you live or at your destination require you to stay home for 14 days after traveling?
Is there a cancellation policy in place with your travel agency, if things change with minimal notice?
With restrictions and travel bans lifting, people are anxious to get back to business or getaway travel.
As the tourism industries have started to see a move in people traveling again (mostly within their own home countries.)
It is vital for travelers to be aware and safe during their travels whether domestic or international. With that in mind, here are some things you should know while jet-setting during this pandemic.
What changes you can expect to see
throughout the next year or possibly for ever…
MANDATORY 3 DAYS PRIOR TO TRAVEL COVID TESTING
NO ALCOHOL SERVICE IN AIRPORTS OR ABORAD FLIGHTS
INCREASE IN AIR FARE PIRCES
LONGER WAIT TIMES TRANSITING THROUGH THE AIRPORT
REDUCED PERSONAL CONTACT
ENHANCED SANITIZATION AND TEMPERATURE CHECKS
WHERE SUFFICIENT DISTANCE ISN’T POSSIBLE (ONBOARD AIRCRAFT) MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED
📍 ON ARRIVAL 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
When traveling during the coronavirus pandemic, it is vital to factor the level of safety of your transportation type.
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, remember to look into cancellation and refund policies and, any other regulations the aircraft or airport might have in place, prior to your travel dates, if you have a layover you’ll want to check that airports regulations too.
🍋 Health & safety FIRST
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.
Travel only with a group of people that are committed to the same safety practices as you!
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.
Stock up a little on non-perishable food in case you do get sick you won’t need to leave your room abroad for at least a few days.
Another pro tip is to pack enough medicine for the whole trip.
What should you bring?
Health experts urge people to pack plenty of hand sanitizer!
Bring your own food, avoid touching too many public surfaces, and try to sit where you can maintain a healthy distance between yourself and others.
Pack a face mask and make sure you do your research to see what requirements/ documents are needed before traveling to your destination.
Pack non-perishable food or hit the grocery store once you arrive — in case you do get sick you will need to quarantine
💼 WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR CARRY ON
Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip.
Pack enough alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Bring a cloth face covering to wear in public places.
Prepare food and water for your trip.
🏨 WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BOOKING YOUR STAY
When booking accommodations or planning an overnight stay. It’s best to look into that area and the precautions they’re taking
If you are considering cleaning your travel lodgings, see guidance on how to clean and disinfect properly
If you’re traveling somewhere you’ve never been before, I recommend traveling with an organized tour you know and trust.
Avoid staying in places with plenty of shared spaces
Avoid sharing rooms with people you don’t know (hostels, shared living spaces)
Look into the cancellation policy to ensure if you can not travel there after all, there’s options to retain a refund
Bottom line is…
we are creatures of habit and curiosity. COVD-19 has reminded us all how little we can confidently say about tomorrow, or where we’ll be one year from now.
Anxiety about traveling will indeed be greater now more than ever before,, and prices for transport, in the next year will be higher. However, globalism, having spread from person to person for so long, cannot be reversed.
Culture curiosity in my opinion, cannot be tamed.
But how we evolve and deal with the spread of disease and infection, will be vital to the travel industries future.