Traveling During the Pandemic: What You Should Keep in Mind
While we may have refrained from traveling at the beginning of the pandemic, we have to get back out there. There is no doubt that the pandemic has altered things up in that there are things that you need to keep in mind when planning a journey. Here are four tips to guide you to make travel arrangements:
1 – Plan For The Trip
It takes serious planning for you to organize a successful trip during this pandemic. You have to find out the travel restrictions that are there. For instance, you need to find out if you require a COVID 19 clearance certificate or not. Also, you need to perform a risk-benefit analysis to assess the safest means of transport and plan accordingly.
Additionally, you need to develop a well-thought-out itinerary that helps you avoid COVID 19 hotspots. Suppose you pick a destination that has high cases of coronavirus, you need to ensure that you engage only in indoor activities during your stay in that area. In a nutshell, you need to realize that everyone is a risk of contracting and transmitting the virus. Therefore, whatever plans you make should be the ones that pose the most minimal risk to you and other people.
2- Find Befitting Accommodation
Among the top considerations at the moment when traveling during this pandemic is deciding where to stay. At the moment, the safest choice is neither a hotel nor a home-sharing plan but a vacation rental. Hotels are business-like and are often overcrowded. Home-sharing with friends and family is also not a good idea because you would be predisposing them to the virus. When traveling to Florida, you should consider staying at the vacation home rentals in Florida during your vacation.
Vacation rentals provide social isolation and are equipped for longer leisure stays hence; they are an ideal option at the moment. Compared to hotels, rentals provide a personalized experience as there is more space accompanied by a kitchen where you can stock up your supplies and make your meals compared to eating out where you run the risk of contracting COVID 19. Rentals also come with amenities such as a private swimming pool and laundry equipment that saves you a lot of money.
3– Arm yourself with an IDP
An international driving permit (IDP) is becoming a must-have when planning a trip during this pandemic. This document enables you to rent a car in the country that you are visiting and drive it around. It also serves as a form of identification that you can use rather than carrying your passport around. The advantage of renting a car when traveling is that you can get it sanitized thereby keeping yourself safe while you move around.
A private car will enhance your mobility so that you can travel to numerous destinations while maintaining the recommended safety protocols in the confines of your vehicle. However, international driving permit enforcement varies according to the rental car supplier that you are using and the country that you are traveling to. Therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with their requirements and factor them into your travel plans.
4- Have A Pandemic Safety Kit
You need to pack a stock of pandemic essentials before you board that vehicle or flight to whatever destination you are going to. Your kit should have face coverings that you need to put on while in public places, and disinfectant sprays or wipes that you can use on the surfaces that you lean on. You also need to have enough hand sanitizer (with 60% alcohol) to use in places where there are insufficient water sources. You should pack several disposable gloves. You will need them when wiping down faucets or door handles. When using the gloves, you need to ensure that you do not touch your faces with them. Additionally, ensure that you have your health insurance cards and a thermometer to keep track of your body temperature.
Conclusion
When traveling during this time, your safety should be at the top of your priority lest you fall sick and get hospitalized while on your trip. Therefore, you need to make your travel plans ahead of time, secure good accommodation, get an international driver’s license, and pack a pandemic kit. With these considerations, you will enjoy traveling amidst the pandemic.
