2020 was a whirlwind of a year filled with the unthinkable and unexpected closing of borders, international lockdowns, and forced isolation.
As vaccines roll out at a steady pace around the globe, talks of border reopening have begun. Just in time, as many are again itching to satisfy their wanderlust by travelling to new places.
However, with the virus still posing a real risk, it’s important to take the necessary precautions, especially when travelling to new places.
Wondering how to do that? Well, read on to find out how to do safe travelling post-Covid when the borders reopen once again.
Know the travel rules & restrictions of the country you’re travelling to.
With the Covid situation differing from country to country, it’s important to keep yourself up-to-date with the current situation in the place you’re visiting.
Find out about the travel bubbles in place, for instance. Look into whether or not you can travel freely by land, air and sea in your chosen destination, at least if you’re intending on visiting more than one location during your trip.
Most countries have varying quarantine levels across regions or even cities.
That’s why it’s important to be fully aware of what they are for each place you want to visit. Otherwise, you may find yourself stuck and your schedule derailed due to quarantine measures you failed to consider.
Practise smart hygiene on the way to the destination.
If you were a frequent traveller before the pandemic, then you probably have certain memories of how travelling across borders used to be.
Well, obviously, you’ll have to expect something new now: travelling to most destinations is different in post-Covid travel.
This isn’t just because of the strictures of government quarantines. It’s also because of the fact that you now have a new, unique threat to your safety as a tourist - being infected with the virus.
So, you have to take all possible safety measures. Start by ensuring that you have packed enough masks and sanitisers for your trip.
You may consider bringing disposable gloves or wet wipes to clean the area around you, like your seat on public transport.
You should also avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose area with your hands for safe travelling.
This is because Covid-19 spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or mucus, usually when people cough or sneeze.
This is because Covid-19 spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or mucus, usually when people cough or sneeze.
Choose a hotel that observes safety measures.
If you’ve taken the care to ensure that hygiene is kept up as you travel to your destination, don’t waste it!
For example, you don’t want to choose a hotel that doesn’t observe the necessary safety standards for Covid-19. Research the hotels on your shortlist for their procedures they’ve implemented.
Be sure to check out recent reviews for each hotel too. It’s all too easy to claim that you’ve implemented certain safety measures. Whether or not the hotel actually follows them is the question.
Look into what others have to say about the hotel’s actual policies, so you can verify whether or not its claims are true.
Be vigilant when actually sight-seeing.
Finally, keep in mind that the vigilance shouldn’t end once you reach your destination and check into your hotel.
Each time you go out or enter a space where other people may also be visiting, you’re technically placing yourself at risk of infection. Therefore, you have to be careful even when sightseeing or just shopping around for souvenirs.
It’s not that difficult to do this as long as you stay alert.
For example, take necessary precautions such as washing or disinfecting your hands frequently, particularly if you come in contact with others.
Avoid large gatherings in enclosed areas too, as such conditions often encourage spread of the disease.
And of course, always wear your mask. Never take it off unless you know you’re in a private space only you occupy or have recently occupied.
In Summary: Travelling Post-Covid
As you can see, travelling post-Covid poses some unique challenges.
There are more restrictions now on how freely we can move across borders, just as there are more dangers to our health as travellers.
As long as you follow the points I’ve shared here, though, you should be fine.
In sum, that means the following:
Check the rules and restrictions in the places you’re headed to.
Practise safety when actually travelling to your destination.
Choose a hotel that observes recommended safety measures against the pandemic.
Keep your vigilance up when actually sight-seeing or visiting tourist spots.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
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