While you might not be planning a vacation or a backpacking jaunt anytime soon, you may still have to partake in a bit of travel in the era of coronavirus. Covid-19 has had a massive impact on the travel industry, from quarantines coming into force across the world to travel bans, fewer flights and social distancing. It’s not unusual to rock up to the airport only to have your temperature taken three times before you set foot on the plane. The travel and tourism industry has been forced to face an uncertain future.
You may still need to travel for a business trip, to attend a meeting or to visit a poorly relative. This can involve some international travel or more local travel. This may mean that you will need to embark on public transport of some form or another. You can still travel in a pandemic world, although you need to ensure that you are aware of all the safety measures you need to take.
Personal Responsibility
If you need to take a flight to a nation that is also suffering from coronavirus, it is up to you to research their legislation regarding coronavirus and travel. As a foreigner, you may need to commit to a period of quarantine. You also may need to have a face covering when out in public. And you might have to maintain social distancing.
As a responsible traveller, you need to consider how you will arrive at your destination in a safe way. Flights are currently running a decreased timetable, and airplanes themselves are filled with less capacity to make allowances for social distancing measures. If you are asked to wear a mask, remember that this is for your safety as well as for the safety of other passengers. Airplanes are confined spaces which can allow coronavirus to spread rapidly throughout passengers. Wear gloves if you wish or wash your hands regularly. Have hand sanitiser on you at all times and don’t be afraid to keep yourself isolated from other travellers. You are being prudent rather than rude.
Commuting
When you arrive at your destination, you may need to find yourself at a hotel or another form of accommodation. If you aren’t staying overnight, you may need to commute to a place of work. To limit your contact with other individuals, and avoid crowded spaces, locate a reputable company like Fat TAXI to get you to your final destination safely. All of their drivers wear face masks, gloves and have undergone social distancing training. Taxis are clean, more hygienic than public transport and can make your travel less stressful.
If you do need to use public transport, give yourself plenty of time. You may find that metros, tubes and buses are running at a much-decreased capacity meaning that you will have to wait before you can travel. The days of crushing onto a tube train, standing cheek to cheek against fellow commuters are long gone. The pandemic age has ushered in a whole new way of travelling.
Planning
If you are keen to travel because you can’t get enough of your wanderlust adventures, don’t think that these days are over. Think of them as being put on hold. You can utilise this time of coronavirus to plan your next trip and to save up some cash. Travelling is an expensive business, and while you might feel low at the thought of not setting foot on a plane for a year or more to embark on your next overseas jaunt, this doesn’t mean that you can’t get a head start on your itinerary.
You can still plan the sorts of sights you want to see, the experiences you want to partake in and the landscapes you want to explore. While the world may seem cut off and shut down at the moment, it won’t be like this forever. The world is resetting and coronavirus needs to be shown the respect it deserves. No one is immune from its effects and we need to think about our fellow citizens when embarking on any sort of travel. Get planning your next trip to Peru to trek the Inca Trail, your next jaunt to Japan to see the temples of Kyoto, or your next foray to Oz to see the Sydney Opera House.
Life may seem a little uncertain at the moment, but the world will open up once again. Be patient and you can embark on your vacations once more. For now, if you do have to travel out of necessity, be safe and be a responsible traveller.