The COVID-19 pandemic has caused devastating effects in the travel industry following countries’ resolve to enforce border closures, flight cancellations, etc., in a bid to control the spread of the virus. The situation will change sooner or later, and the travel industry will be opened once more. One thing is for sure, though, that the post-pandemic travel will not be the same as the pre-pandemic period.Once borders are open and we get to Travel After The Pandemic we will still have to be careful, here are 9 safety tips for you to follow.
9 Tips to Safe Travel After The Pandemic
Check Destination Entry Requirements
As countries will start opening their border, it is expected that most of them will have specific entry requirements (e.g., Covid-19 clearance certificates) at border points. Before settling on a destination, it is vital to familiarize oneself with their travel resumption guidelines and learn about their safety recommendations. It calls for thorough research from the chosen destinations’ websites and other online resources such as credible review sites.
Hold a Valid Travel Insurance
The post-pandemic period will undoubtedly be characterized by uncertainty around whether operators and travel agencies will remain in business. It is advisable to get a reputable insurance policy for guaranteed protection if the operator fails to live up to the travel agreement. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of your travel insurance, including whether your desired destination is covered and you are covered for pandemics. Also, find out anything that may invalidate the policy.
Plan To Travel Closer Home
Immediately after the pandemic, it is safer not to travel too far from home, so that if any issues arise (such as a recurrence of the pandemic, lockdowns, or other national emergencies), you can quickly get back home by road or by short flights. It may be wise to consider domestic trips over international trips to make it easier and cheaper to return home.
Factor Health Concerns in Your Travel Plans
Before making way to your preferred destination, consider the health issues, such as the coronavirus situation. The coronavirus tracker will help provide the numbers and how trends, upon which one can base their decision. It is crucial to choose places that are not prone to diseases/pandemics and have adequate medical infrastructure. The WHO Website comes in handy as a rich source of information on health-related issues in different places. It is recommended that individuals plan to attend less crowded places.
Stay Healthy
Good health is vital for safe travel. It boosts one’s immunity and increases one’s chances of survival in case a disease is contracted. As such, do everything to boost your health as you prepare for travel, including taking vitamins, drinking enough water, engaging in physical exercise, having enough sleep, and practicing mental health strength. For access to clean water during travel, consider bringing the portable berkey filter with you. You want to ensure that you have your vitamins and any travel medication in secure supplement packaging pouches to ensure they don’t get lost on your adventures.
Consider Operators with Cancellation Options
To eliminate unnecessary cancellation fees in post-pandemic travel, it is advisable to choose flights, hotels, and attractions that offer free cancellation or changes. Be sure to check for the cancellation policy for accommodations and flights and ascertain that you will have a full refund
Avoid Planning Way Ahead
As nobody knows how things are going to play out in the future, especially with the pandemic situation, it is safer not to plan for a much later trip now but make plans for the immediate future. This will help save you from the stress of canceled trips if the coronavirus hits again, or something else comes up.
Take Safety Precautions While Traveling
The safety precautions that were recommended during the outbreak of coronavirus should continue as people purpose to travel after the pandemic. This is because we may not know who is safe and who is not. Practice social distancing as much as you can, bring hand sanitizers and wipes and use them anytime you touch surfaces such as handrails, elevator buttons, and doors. Also, avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth. Most importantly, know the emergency number for your destination for swift response in case an issue arises.
Wait until it is Safe
Understandably, most people want to break off from the monotony of staying home during the COVID-19 outbreak, by traveling to their favorite attractions. Even so, there is no rush, and as people prepare, they should wait for the authorities to declare that it is safe to travel again.
While things seem to be slowly returning to normal, we are still in the deep trenches of the pandemic’s impacts on the travel industry. As such, we cannot get comfortable just yet. The way individuals prepare for travel has to change taking into account the above-discussed points discussed, taking precautions every step of the way.
Related read: How to stay safe while flying post-COVID
