It is with regret that we say that the coronavirus pandemic is still a reality in much of the world - which ultimately requires preventative measures, especially when travelling.
It is true that airlines have done everything possible to keep their customers protected throughout their journey, from origin to destination. Even so, along with these external protection measures, it is important that you, the traveller, also take some precautions when travelling.
Whether it's for a business trip, a visit to loved ones or a homecoming, we at Happy Tours have put together this post to help you prepare more cautiously for your comings and goings during this pandemic time.
Are you curious? Then read on!
Opt for a means of transport with less human contact
We know that there are some destinations that are almost impossible to reach by basic transport alone. But, depending on your point of origin, it may be safer and more efficient to do the journey using a car.
Although the car is not the fastest means of transport, like an aeroplane or a train, it is certainly the safest vehicle, since it restricts the number of passengers, avoiding contagion.
When we use a bus or plane to make a trip, we are more susceptible to the risks of contamination, since we will come into contact with a greater number of people.
Even if you do not own a car, renting one can be an option. Not only to get to the final destination, but mainly to get around within that destination and access the sights. This way, you avoid travelling by bus or underground, protecting yourself even more against the coronavirus.
If you choose to travel by car, here are some protective measures, especially if you are not travelling alone. Check some of them out:
- Keep the windows open for air circulation
- Sanitise all touchable surfaces
- Wash your hands with alcohol gel or soap and water
How to prepare effectively for travelling?
If your destination is far away and the most viable way to reach it is by plane or bus, then check out some of our tips.
Keep informed about your destination
Especially when travelling internationally, it is very important to find out about the region's internal health system before you go on your journey, because you never know what emergencies might occur during your stay.
Another important factor to be aware of is which vaccinations you should take and which are the typical diseases of the destination. After all, your immune system is fortified with antibodies ready to fight diseases from your place of origin.
Finally, if possible, try to avoid destinations that do not have pandemic control or that have the incidence of infectious diseases whose cure is still incipient.
Hand hygiene is a must!
Regardless of the means of transport and the route you are willing to travel, it is essential that you constantly sanitise your hands to avoid possible contact with viruses.
ANAC, the National Civil Aviation Agency, allows passengers to carry 500ml of alcohol gel in hand luggage on domestic flights and 100ml on international flights, creating conditions for passengers to travel with greater protection.
For this reason, as a protective measure, we recommend that you carry alcohol gel, as well as wet wipes. This way, you will always have plenty of resources to sanitise your hands.
Even if you wash your hands with alcohol gel, do not forget to clean them properly with soap and water when making connections between destinations. You can't be too careful!
Don't forget your mask
In pandemic times, the mask has to be your second skin. There's no way you can forget it, especially when travelling where contact with people is inevitable. Therefore, always have your mask at hand (or better, on your face).
Studies from Duke University, USA, prove that the cotton mask has a great coverage, being able to eliminate from 70% to 90% of the saliva droplets. N-95 masks, while appearing to be the best protection, performed almost identically to cotton masks, being able to reduce droplet transmission by 0.1%, while surgical masks can reduce it by more than 90%.
After this information, there are plenty of reasons to have more than one mask available for use.
Take out travel insurance
We never know what can happen on a trip, even more so in times of pandemic. Even if we prepare for every situation that may occur, unforeseen events are there to prove to us that, in truth, we are never and will never be completely and perfectly prepared for anything.
Therefore, accepting that eventual problems can happen is a smart way to face a trip. A strategic way to seek possible remedies for unforeseen events is by contracting travel insurance.
Besides providing support in times of lost luggage and flight delays, insurance companies also cover eventual medical expenses that one may have during their stay. Therefore, taking out travel insurance may prove to be the best way to prepare for a trip in times of a pandemic.
That's it! Now you know how to prepare yourself before you go on your trip. So, don't forget to tell us what you thought of our tips today. And if you want to have access to more content like this, be sure to check out the other posts on our blog. You can also find tips on car hire and the best destinations to visit around the world.
See you soon.
