The 5 travel essentials you need for your post-pandemic getaway

The world of travel has been through a wealth of changes in the past few months, and there is no telling when (or if) going on holiday will ever be the same again. That doesn’t mean we cannot think about travelling ever again, and if anything, planning a holiday could be what we need to get through lockdown part 2. However, what we need to remember is that when we travel, we need to ensure that we are safe and abiding by the rules. Here are some travel essentials you will need for your post-pandemic getaway.

Bring (and Wear) a Mask

It’s safety over style when it comes to travelling, and wearing a mask is essential if you want to keep yourself and others safe. You’ll find that some countries are now enforcing mask wearing, making it compulsory in certain places, so ensure you won’t miss out on any fun activities or even the ability to pop into a supermarket by packing a mask.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, people should wear face cover in enclosed public places such as inside supermarkets and public transport vehicles. If you’re in doubt, wear a face mask to avoid being penalised. Hence, it’s important to know the safety protocols in your travel destination, especially when using a face mask or face cover.

Tip: it is easy to lose your mask, so ensure you pack a few extras just in case. If you find yourself quite forgetful, place masks in jacket pockets and each bag you have brought with you.

Check Your Insurance

It is advisable for you to check your insurance before booking tickets. Why? New rules and regulations can make entering countries tougher, but if you book tickets and catch COVID-19 at home or while abroad, you can be covered for cancellation and any much-needed medical expenses (as long as you follow government advice). Travel insurance from Staysure is a great way to protect yourself from any unexpected medical issues that may arise. Staysure are one of the few insurance companies that continued to sell cover during the pandemic, even going so far as to bend the rules of their cancellation policy, so they’re definitely a name you can trust when it comes to travel insurance in a post-pandemic world.

Expect Longer Delays

The world has changed, and one of these changes is governments trying to understand the threats of COVID-19 and implementing new ways to protect the public. Travelling from country to country (or even city to city) can cause a lot of extra pressures on governments, so we should expect some greater delays.

It’s best to know how long you’ll need to wait or make stops to abide by safety protocols based on reviews. Patience is an important trait to enhance when traveling post pandemic.

The best way to counter these delays is to pack extra forms of entertainment as well as charging cables for all electronics you have in your carry-on bag. Books, iPads and even a pack of cards or a colouring book are great ways to keep boredom at bay – especially if you have children to entertain!

Bring Hand Sanitiser

The UK government highly recommends hand washing as the top preventive measure to avoid infection. The willingness to isolate when displaying COVID-19 symptoms is another way to ensure environments stay clean for yourself and those around you. Everyone should develop these healthy habits to avoid getting sick and spreading the virus.

After opening doors, handling luggage and cash or shaking hands, you need to wash your hands to limit the spread of COVID-19. However, the reality is that you cannot always get to hot water and soap. Have a travel size bottle of hand sanitiser ready so that you can wash your hands on the go and when you’re in flight. However, if you find the opportunity to wash your hands with hot, soapy water, you should do this instead.

Using hand sanitisers is a great alternative to handwashing with alcohol as the active ingredient. Most over-the-counter hand sanitisers usually consist of benzalkonium chloride, ethyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol. Choose a hand sanitiser that contains a minimum of 60% alcohol content for stronger antiseptic properties, which help reduce bacteria and viruses on the hands.

Disinfectant Wipes

Have you considered how many people have handled your suitcase throughout the travelling process? From the moment you check-in to lifting your suitcase off from the conveyor belt, there’s a whole host of germs that have latched onto your luggage. That’s why it is sensible to clean your suitcase with disinfectant wipes as soon as possible, and then again once you have arrived at your hotel and settled into your room.

Travelling is a lot of fun for many, and sadly the pandemic has halted a lot of people’s travel plans. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot prepare for your post-pandemic getaway. The best way to travel in this new normal is to ensure you have the correct insurance for the job, but also the ability to lessen your chances of spreading the virus or contracting it yourself.

It also pays off to hire professional airport transfer instead of taking public transportation to reduce your risk of contracting disease-causing microorganisms, such as coronavirus. You can check the websites of prospective airport transfer services to the country of your destination, such as www.procarswoking.com/taxi-woking.