How To Stay Safe When Travelling During The Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic is still raging in many parts of the world. We know that you might be itching to travel again after staying at home for months on end. However, you need to have a cautious approach and travel in a way that reduces your risk of catching the coronavirus. Here are several tips to help you stay safe amid the pandemic and make your trip a hassle-free and enjoyable experience.
Get Vaccinated at the earliest.
Vaccination is the only way of protecting yourself from coronaviruses at the moment. You might be hearing about various mutants of covid-19 circulating across the globe. Moreover, pessimistic media reports regarding the risks and efficacy of the vaccines might deter you from taking a covid jab. However, the protective shield that a vaccine offers far outweighs its probable side effects.
Furthermore, many countries are allowing only those individuals vaccinated with certain vaccines to enter their territories. The vaccines available in the U.K, namely, Oxford – AstraZeneca, Pfizer – BioNTech, and Moderna, are recognised by most countries. So, in such a scenario, your ‘vaccine passport’ becomes all the more pertinent.
Travel By a Caravan
If you plan to take a road trip across the countryside, a caravan might just be right for you and your family. Since staying safe and healthy is our topmost priority amidst this pandemic, travelling by Caravan should come as a boon. Besides safety, a Caravan offers numerous benefits while travelling. Though experts won’t suggest you book a campsite amidst this pandemic, it still can be a safer option than crowded indoor spaces.
Not only campsites, but you can make an impromptu stopover in any layby for a cup of coffee. If you need to visit the loo, a caravan comes with a washroom. So, you don’t have to stress about catching the dreaded Covid-19 infection through those unhygienic and unkempt toilets by the roadside.
If you are a beach bum, then you might be itching to visit the beaches of Cornwall and savour every moment in the sun-kissed region. A caravan can offer you a safe and warm haven post an adrenaline-pumped surfing session. What’s more, you can also shop for your very own Caravan in Cornwall. There are many places of static caravans for sale in Cornwall where you can get the best financial deals around Caravans.
Travel to low-risk locales
Though restrictions might have been lifted and travelling resumed across the country, this pandemic won’t leave us anytime soon. It’s better that you stay abreast with the number of active covid cases in the region you wish to travel to and get information about the restrictions put in place. It would be wise if you choose to travel to an offbeat locale or a less crowded region. Alternatively, you can plan your visit during non-peak seasons or times of the day to avoid the crowds.
Air travel is relatively safer.
Travelling by air is safer than taking rail or another public mode of transport. However, airports can still be places of covid transmission. Though this is unavoidable, you can lower the risk by wearing masks at all times and following social distancing norms at airports. Moreover, avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes after coming in contact with most touched surfaces. Inside the flight, you should avoid all unnecessary movement and avoid queuing up for lavatory use. Practice social distancing and do not rush to disembark from the flight after it lands at the designated airport.
Quarantining Oneself
Many regions and international guidelines ask travellers to quarantine themselves upon arrival. Quarantining is a safe practice, especially for the health and safety of those around you. If you are travelling to high-risk zones or coming from a high caseload region, then, as a precautionary measure, you should quarantine yourself. This practice is helpful if you have international travel plans or a long term extensive travel itinerary.
Travel in a Safety Bubble
When you travel, maintain a safety bubble wherever you go. As a group that could consist of your friends and family, make a conscious effort on an individual level to reduce risks by putting limitations on movements. Moreover, practising basic covid precautions and ensuring that members in your group are vaccinated should be followed. Having a safety bubble helps high-risk individuals or those folks who live with someone more vulnerable to Covid infection.
Stay in Private Villas/ Homestays
While planning your travel itinerary, experts suggest that you book villas or apartments instead of hotels. Search for private rentals such as Airbnbs and try to select the ones having full-fledged kitchens. This way, you can limit your dependence on restaurants, hotel food and take-out. Moreover, choose villas with no contact check-ins to reduce the person to person contact. Besides following the covid protocols, carry disinfecting wipes or bleach spray to clean the most-touched surfaces such as TV remote and telephone.
Plan short Trips
Though travel might have opened up and in an ideal world, everyone would have travelled far and wide but, during the pandemic, short travel trips are coming into vogue. This way, you can travel by your vehicle and reduce the risks associated with extensive travel, such as using public toilets and eating at roadside restaurants.
However, ensure that your car is sanitised as studies now show that covid can transmit through humid air or aerosols. It would be a good idea to clean the car vents and coolants of any viruses, fungi or bacteria which might have been deposited.
Looking Ahead
The Covid- 19 pandemic is still on a rampage. However, If you want to travel, these tips will surely help you plan your travel itinerary. Lastly, travel or no travel, wearing masks, washing hands with soap and water, and maintaining social distance should always be followed if this virus is ever eradicated.
