The coronavirus pandemic has changed travel as we know and for a while at least it won't be as open or as easy or as safe as before.
While we are now seeing a decrease in cases in some countries and the easing of lockdown restrictions especially in Europe, it's still essential that we remain vigilant.
With more airlines now opening international routes and countries opening their borders for the first time in months, the urge to travel, especially after being in lockdown for so long has never been higher.
If you are keen to travel there are lots of guidance and simple recommendations you can follow to make your trip as safe as possible.
In this article, we'll share some of top tips for staying safe whilst travelling around in a COVID-19 world.
1. Coronavirus: Safest Destinations to visit
Choose your destination carefully as some countries have been hit really hard by the corona virus whilst others have been relatively untouched. Places to avoid at the moment include hotspots like Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, USA and India just to name a few.
Other much safer countries to visit at the moment include Germany, France, Spain, China, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
2. Wear a Mask
Always wear a mask when travelling on transport or in places where there are lots of people e.g. shops, bars and restaurants. Wearing a mask drastically reduces the transmission of corona virus due to the mask acting as a barrier between the spread of air particles.
3. Practice Safe Hygiene Methods
If you plan on traveling at all during the current pandemic, one of the most important things that you need to do is to practice safe hygiene methods. This is critical in preventing the spread of the virus. Covid-19 is known to be spread through contaminated droplets, such as a cough or sneeze, so hand washing and sanitizing is a must during these times.
You should try and avoid touching unnecessary objects, as well as your eyes, mouth, and nose. Staying healthy while traveling is vital, and if you're interested, you might even consider boosting your immune system by using herbal remedies. While there is speculation about whether they work or not, it's always best to be open-minded!
4. Get Travel Insurance
Any type of travel will always expose you to a slight risk of catching the virus, so a good idea is to get travel insurance before departing. This can help make sure that you are covered in case of any illnesses, and you won't need to worry about the expensive costs. Each plan is different, so it's important you look around to find what would best suit you and your needs.
5. Keep Your Distance
Try to avoid crowds and maintain a distance of 6 feet (2 meters) between you and others as much as possible.
6. Carry Your Own Bags
If you need to stay in a hotel during your travel, you might be nervous about touching things in your room. A great tip is to try and carry plastic or Ziplock bags with you. This way, you can carefully place any remotes in them, and use them through the bag! You won't need to worry about touching the buttons, and they will still work perfectly.
7. Bring Your Own Utensils
While most places should thoroughly wash their utensils and glasses, if you want to be extra safe, try and remember to bring your own. This includes forks, spoons, and of course, your own water bottle. It would help if you also aimed to avoid eating undercooked or raw foods and stay away from any wet markets.
8. Check Government Advice Before Departing
And lastly, before you take off on your journey, you want to make sure you check your government's advisory through a reputable website. This is because they could impact your travel insurance in the case of an outbreak. Certain flights may also be canceled, so it's better to be prepared and check ahead!
While the future is still uncertain, the most we can do is keep practicing these safe hygiene methods to further stop the spread! You also must avoid traveling if you feel you are experiencing any symptoms of the virus and if you have been in contact with someone with a confirmed case. We can all do our part to help get rid of COVID-19 and make the world safe again!
