Be prepared: Travel tips in a global pandemic
Anticipate quarantine, multiple swab tests, lockdowns and ever-changing country mandates to and from your travel destination
Text: Lynda Williams
Travelling during Covid times can seem like a rather daunting task, and with hotel quarantine on top, quite a challenge and an expensive one at that. However, when you need to get on that plane, especially to see loved ones, we’ve got some first-hand advice on what to consider and how to travel as safely and responsibly as possible. The Soothe’s Co-Founder Lynda Williams shares the top travel tips you need to think about before travelling in a global pandemic. Be prepared ...
Buy flexible tickets
Rule number one: the most important of all the travel tips is to buy flexible air tickets. Make sure you check the terms and conditions of your ticket so if you have to change due to spikes, lockdowns and delays, you won’t get penalised. Earlier this year I had to switch my flights and come back from the UK to Singapore via Dubai. It would have cost a small fortune if my tickets weren’t flexible.
Check guidelines, curfews & local mandates of your travel destination
They change regularly during this global pandemic so it’s always best to get the most up-to-the-minute information on your final travel destination, any hubs you are travelling through, as well as whether your home country will let you back in based on where you’ve been.
Pack for all seasons
Be prepared for all weathers in case, like me, your trip gets curtailed and you end up re-routing through a very hot (ie Dubai desert) country and are faced with surviving quarantine with only winter woollies. Yes, I had to speed order flipflops, a bikini and a couple of summer dresses. Pack light layers you can double up. Include trainers, flipflops, a swimsuit and SPF just in case.
Don’t travel if you are broke
With the many PCR tests you have to go through and potential trip extensions and curtailments due to the volatile global pandemic, plus mandatory hotel quarantining, you do need some savings in your back pocket to allow for any eventualities, otherwise it could end up feeling like a really sad trip.
Go for longer
With quarantine ranging from one to three weeks, depending on where you are coming back from, you won’t want to be travelling anywhere on a regular basis. I would recommend, if you can, to stay at your travel destination for four weeks and make the most of your time out of Singapore with family and friends.
Be prepared for lots of PCR tests
If you are queasy at the thought of having a long swab shoved up your nose into your brain on a regular basis, then a trip in this global pandemic time isn’t for you. It isn’t all that bad, it’s a small price to pay to get to see loved ones on the other side of the world.
Take control of your own sanitising
Don’t always take it that the airline, restaurant, taxi or hotel will be thoroughly into sanitising. Take a batch of Dettol wipes and wipe down your seat, tray and remote on the plane, restaurant table and so on.
Comfortable masking
Take a few different masks to travel in if you have a long journey to your travel destination (mine was 24 hours door-to-door). You’ll need to refresh them and also make sure they are the most comfortable. I doubled up with a disposable one, then a material airism Uniqlo over the top when travelling to make sure nothing was getting near me.
Stay wisely
If you can’t stay with family or friends once you’ve landed at your travel destination, chose a hotel wisely based on flexible cancellation terms and conditions and ensure they are Covid compliant with all the latest regulations.
Support the locals of your travel destination
So many people all over the world have been devastatingly affected by this darned pandemic. If you can, support local initiatives or local high streets wherever you are — as countries open up, small communities will really need our help.
Embrace the outdoors
Dine at home or outdoors where you can
Dine at home to avoid contact as much as possible — enjoy the great outdoors instead and bask in the countryside! If you’re dining out, embrace the fresh (or humid) air, so you limit contact and sharing stuffy, perhaps an evil Covid-laced atmosphere.
