Unfortunately, the world is coming into its third year of dealing with Covid 19. No country has come away unscathed from it, which has meant that many of them have closed their borders and put strict rules in place for their residents. Now that the pandemic has eased off a bit, many countries have opened their borders to tourists and the travel industry has kicked back into action. However, travelling itself can still be quite complicated whilst Covid 19 is still around, so we have come up with a list of tips for travelling during this time.
Get yourself a really good mask to use on long journeys
Most airlines, public transport, and countries still have mandatory mask regulations. Whether that be that you need to wear them at all times, just indoors, or just on public transport, it is still very handy to make sure that the one you have is comfortable to wear for long stints of time. Especially if you are travelling to multiple countries where the rules may vary.
If you are travelling to a country by airplane, then you are most likely going to need to wear a mask, unless you are exempt. Below is a comfortable mask that can be worn for long hours without making you feel suffocated. We definitely recommend it.
Always carry hand sanitizer
It is always handy to have a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer with you at all times so that you can help prevent yourself from catching Covid 19. When out in public, regularly sanitize your hands and try to resist touching your face or putting your figures in your mouth before properly washing your hands.
Before travelling to a new country check their requirements
Each country has its own restrictions and rules when it comes to Covid 19. Before flying to a country check that they are letting people from your destination in, as some countries have others on a banned list, which means you will not be allowed to enter the country. A lot of airlines require passengers to have proof of a negative test and some countries might want this too, so even if you are travelling by another form of transport, you need to check whether you need to get a test done. Most countries will also require a passenger locator form to be filled out, you can get all this information from their government website.
Get Covid cover
Nothing is guaranteed right now when it comes to travel. With Covid rates fluctuating all the time, sometimes countries have to make changes quickly to their travel restrictions. When booking flights and accommodation, consider adding covid cover to those, so if it can’t go ahead or you won’t be able to get into the country, you will get your money back. This also counts if you have caught covid yourself and are now unable to travel.
When you are booking your travel insurance, try to find one that includes Covid in their policy, so that you know if there are any cancellations you can get compensated or you are covered if you need health care whilst you are away due to contracting Covid 19.
Consider the potential extra costs of paying for Covid tests
Travelling can be quite expensive and it is always a good idea to budget so that you don’t spend more than you are able to. Now that it is likely that you will have to spend money on covid tests at some point, you will need to factor this into your price. Covid rates, rules, and regulations change all the time, so a country you thought you won’t need to test or isolate in, might decide right before you go that they are changing their rules and you will need to. Be prepared for this and as mentioned above always try to book with Covid cover.
Get vaccinated
Depending on your destination, you may not be able to travel or do much if you’re not fully vaccinated against COVID. Vaccines are not technically mandatory in most countries, but they’ll definitely make your life a lot easier. Covid tests are often cheaper if you are vaccinated and in some countries, you might not be let into attractions without proof you have had the jab. If possible, make sure you are getting vaccinated against Covid 19 and get any booster jabs that are offered to you.
Remember to still have a good time!
It’s important to remember that although travelling might be a little bit trickier right now, you still need to make sure you are having a good time. Only travel to the countries you feel comfortable with right now and stay organised so that your experiences are much smoother, and you can get on with seeing all the magnificent sights and having a great time abroad!
Without A Paddle Travel 