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May 27, 2020 | Guest Post by Maria Ellane Diaz
The COVID-19 pandemic or 2020 coronavirus has been a huge wave with regards to travel. No one knows how long this health crisis will continue, whether and which countries it may strike next, where and when it will start to ease off.
Or when traveling may return to normal. Well, the time frame for this pandemic to start shrinking is unknown. Also, even once a decline takes place, it is worth considering that the COVID-19 virus may return.
If you are planning a trip amidst the pandemic, ensure that you are equipped with the necessary safety measures. For a little help, here are some important things you need to know to avoid contracting the virus during your travel. Read on!
The answer is yes, and no. Well, several local or state authorities consider hotels as essential, so they are not entirely closed. However, most of them have only been allowed to house medical professionals, COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, or other coronavirus-related guests.
Meaning to say, there’s a high chance that leisure travelers and tourists won’t be allowed. As several countries start to lift their home quarantine orders, restrictions on vacation rentals and hotels are beginning to ease as well.
Thus, more hotels worldwide may accommodate standard guests. Try searching for hotels on the best hotel booking site available in your area, to see if there are nearby hotels open. The bigger hotels are implementing more stringent safety protocols to reassure travelers.
For instance, beginning in June, Hilton Worldwide will commence its “CleanStay” program, with more meticulous cleaning practices and contact-less check-ins.
If you have a scheduled trip during these critical times, it might be a good idea to test yourself to make sure that you’re not a coronavirus carrier. Anyone displaying mild symptoms of illness and is incapable of presenting a report indicating that he or she is not infected cannot travel.
Aside from that, if you’re waiting on test results, again, you’re not allowed to travel. Another thing, if the results turn out to be positive and you recuperated from the disease, even then, you’re not an ideal candidate for traveling.
Ensure that you have all the correct paperwork to verify that you are not a carrier of the disease to evade any problems while traveling. Plus, it is important that you have not been in the presence of a COVID-19 patient.
Unlike taking public transit, renting a car tends to impose fewer risks of spreading or getting the virus. Nevertheless, according to research, the coronavirus can last on some surfaces for at least three days.
Or the novel coronavirus may suspend in the air for an hour. So, to cut down the risk of getting infected in a rental car, it’d be a great idea to clean high-touch areas and ramp up ventilation through the air conditioning or windows.
Ensure that you carry all the essential things that you may need to guarantee exceptional hygiene. It would be best to always carry hand sanitizers, alcohol wipes, wear a pair of gloves, and a face mask.
Rather than sneezing or coughing carelessly, make sure to cover your mouth with your sleeves or handkerchief. Also, bring a bunch of toothpicks while you travel and use them to push ATM or elevator buttons, to ensure contactless activities.
Plus, ensure that your documents and devices are kept in polythene bags while you pass through security checks. Always use your hand sanitizer when you are not wearing a pair of gloves. Remember not to pass the hand sanitizer to another person.
The most important thing of all is to always keep the guidelines in mind. By that, you ensure your safety, as well as your family and the people around you. Keep a safe distance of at least two meters from other people and don’t touch people or things.
Also, avoid crowded places. Regularly wash your hands whenever you have the chance and never use the things of other people. Ensure that you are in line with all the necessary safety measures to ensure your safety while traveling.
When you plan to travel during the pandemic, make sure to follow the necessary measures to protect yourself and others. See to it that you are not violating your safety as well as the people around you. If, for example, you feel ill, contact any medical services right away and keep a safe distance from others.
Keep in mind that while you see the other people as a threat, you have the likelihood to be a threat as well. So, even if you feel no signs related to COVID-19, you can still be a potential carrier and be at risk.
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Hi there!
We are Jacob and Taylor. Travel is our passion and we love sharing our experiences here at The Travelling Souk. Our hope is that you would be inspired by this little blog to try something new, embrace an adventure, and live life to the fullest.