TRAVELLING DURING COVID PART 1 - KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

So it's been a rough period for many of us travel junkies who are used to visiting a new or favourite destination at least once or twice a year to get away for some R and R, enjoy new experiences, explore different cultures, meet up with old friends and make some new ones. Now that the world is opening up slowly but very surely again, “revenge travel”is a thing and some of us are getting brave and peeking out in a bid to stave off the boredom of lockdowns, curfews, work from home orders and very importantly - to see family and friends that we have not laid eyes on in way too long. I was among that batch who decided to brave it in the summer and head to the New York/New Jersey area for a ten day getaway and a change of scenery.

Coming out of that experience, here are some thoughts and information I can share with you which hopefully you will find useful if you too are contemplating venturing out.

Mental Health and Wellness is real. It is not merely a trendy buzzword that has become popular now just because Tennis Player Naomi Osaka and Gymnast Simone Biles cited it as their reason for withdrawing from recent sporting events. They got noticed because they are constantly in the limelight, but mental health is just as important to the rest of us who are quietly plugging away in our home offices, or from a hopefully safe and COVID-free cubicle at our workplace often feeling that we have no choice but to bravely soldier on indefinitely. Look, it's been a tough year and a half of this pandemic, and judging from the looks of things, there's a lot more to come, so if  you are feeling overwhelmed or suffering from COVID-fatigue and think that a break and a change of scenery in a different environment will help, you don't have to feel guilty about it. If your financial resources, family home and work arrangements permit - by all means jump on your favourite travel website and explore what possibilities are out there.

Safety First: Of course there's no point taking a mental wellness break, or a well needed vacation and then worrying your way through it, so while nowhere is 100% safe during this pandemic, try to pick a destination where they seem to be managing the risks and observing the protocols somewhat, and then ensure that you remain vigilant, observing the protocols and maintaining your own personal responsibility at all times. If you are planning to stay at a hotel, AirBnB, Guest House etc., be sure to do appropriate research to ensure that the location is clean and observing the necessary protocols that can help to keep you safe. You should read a good cross section of reviews from sites like Trip Advisor, Yelp and so on to get a proper sense of how well they observe the protocols, and how satisfied and comfortable their guests feel using their facilities. If you are planning to stay with family or friends, before finalizing any arrangements you should probably have open and frank discussions with them in terms of what COVID 19 protocols they practice in their household and what house rules they will expect you to adhere to. Ensure that not only are you comfortable with their level of hygiene and cleanliness, arrangements for shared facilities and so on, but that you are also willing to observe their requirements and protocols. Last but not least, make sure each side is clear on the other's position on the issue of vaccination so that there is no room for awkward moments. These may all be sensitive subjects that are difficult to broach, but the last thing you want is either for your host to feel that you exposed the household to any health threats, or for you to feel that your health and safety were compromised because of an environment that was found wanting in terms of hygiene and protocols.

Travel Outside of Borders: If you are changing countries, find out what the destination requires for you to enter their borders. Many countries are now requiring that you present a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter the country. There is a specific time frame within which the test must be taken and a validity period for the test, and there are also specific guidelines for each destination regarding the type of test they will accept. Be sure to familiarize yourself with these guidelines and time frames so that you can build these logistics into your planning.

It is also important to check with the airline that you will be travelling with as they also have their own guidelines in terms of what documentation passengers are required to present in order to board their flights. At the time of writing this blog, most, if not all airlines are requiring face masks to be worn for the duration of the flight, so be sure that you are comfortable with this arrangement as there are unpleasant consequences for those who do not comply. The request for mask wearing is also strictly observed in many airports, so in essence you will be masked from the time you enter the airport at your point of origin, through to the time of your departure from the airport. (Note that if taking public transportation to your place of abode, you may also be required to keep your mask on).

Do Your Homework: Study the trend of the destination you are planning to visit. Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, has that country had a pattern of closing its borders or restricting movement in and out of the country or even within the country depending on what is happening with various COVID waves either internally or globally? If the answer is yes, bear in mind that there is a distinct possibility you could suddenly get locked down in that country and not be able to return to your country of origin for an indefinite period of time.

If you are comfortable staying in the destination for an extended duration, or for a period beyond your original plans, and you have the requisite financial and other resources to do so, then this is not a problem. However if there are limitations that you have on the time you can be away from home, and you are not in a position to work remotely or to sustain yourself financially away from home, then perhaps that destination is not the right one for you at this time. Look around for other destinations where based on the patterns so far, there are not likely to be sudden and drastic changes in policy which might affect your movements in and out of the country and your return home. Note that I am using the term “not likely”. I do so because at the end of the day, as we have seen many times with this pandemic, we should learn to expect the unexpected! So bear in mind that there are no guarantees, and brace for possible disruptions. Keep abreast of the news in your destination as well as in your own home country/country of origin in case you need to make a quick decision and change in travel plans before borders close.

Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude: Be aware that during the pandemic, people are naturally just a little bit more wound up than normal. Folks are on the move, but they still have doubts and concerns, so anxieties and tensions sometimes run high. Be prepared for frayed passenger nerves, as well as longer lines and wait times as additional checks and processes require more time. Bear in mind that service and frontline staff are also dealing with the pandemic and the checked as well as emotional baggage of hundreds of passengers each shift, so try to be kind and not add to their load.   This means keeping your own nerves in check and maybe packing an extra bag with a supply of patience, understanding and a good natured, positive outlook. Your aim is to get to the other end of the journey in good spirits, good health and in the right frame of mind to enjoy your vacation.

So now you’re on your way - let the games begin! In Part 2 of this Blog, I’ll share some tips on what to expect and some of the things you should do when you’re on the ground to adjust to your environment, protect yourself and to prepare for your return. Stay tuned!