The ongoing pandemic and the lockdowns that have spawned from it have changed so much of how we live, including how we work, how we shop, and even our love lives. One of the areas that has changed the most as a result, however, is how we travel. If you have been holding back on your next holiday but are looking forward to finally break free from the country, here are a few post-lockdown trip tips that can help you acclimate to the changes that you might notice.
Expect the unexpected (and try to plan for it)
You always want to make sure that you pick a destination that is likely to cause as little disruption to your travel plans as possible. However, with the ongoing cycle of countries opening and closing to travellers, you should make sure that you’re avoiding those that look like they’re in danger of closing soon. For instance, you should make sure that you’re keeping an eye on global rates of infection, as those that are higher are likely to close their borders first.
Do extra research about where you’re going
Aside from whether or not it’s safe to go, in the first place, or whether your flights are likely to get cancelled, you should get to know the “COVID situation” of any country that you plan on visiting. This is not just your chances of catching the virus, but also what rules you might have to prepare for and which attractions might be closed where you are visiting. A lot of holidaymakers are finding their itineraries shrinking so make sure you have backup plans.
Expect some additional paperwork
Not quite directly related to COVID-19, but travel has changed in other ways and if you haven’t been out of the country since the pandemic, you might not know. For instance, Brexit has put many of us outside of the UK, meaning we may now need a Visa or at least a Visa-exempt status to be able to legally enter the EU, and you can visit Europe Visa for more information on which applies to you based on your travel plans. This often comes with a fee to figure into your budget, too.
Get ready for public safety mandates ahead of time
Don’t be surprised by any travel safety mandates that you might have to follow. You can check the EASA and similar sites, as well as the sites for any airports you’re visiting or airlines that you are travelling with in order to be fully aware of what safety precautions they expect you and any other passengers to follow. The most obvious of these rules are going to be the necessity of wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining social distancing where possible. Some areas and organizations are loosening these rules some but you don’t want to assume that this is the case. No one wants to be the next person to end up going viral for getting kicked off a plane because they didn’t follow the rules.
We likely have not yet seen the end of how COVID-19 is affecting and will affect travel, but hopefully, the tips above can help you prepare somewhat.
