Due to COVID-19, the world is a very different place than it was last year, and the prospect of travel has been halted as of late to keep everyone safe. As restrictions have been lifted over the past few months, many people have decided to continue their travels but on a much more limited basis than planned. Now that a handful of countries around the world are entering their second lockdown, travel seems that little bit further away than it did before. However, while you may be unable or unwilling to travel at the moment, you can use this time to plan your next big adventure, wherever you plan ongoing in the world. You may be wondering what to expect when you are able to travel, so here’s a handy guide on things to remember if you’re traveling post COVID-19, whenever that may be.

Having your blood checked before traveling will help detect any underlying issues you may have that you’re not yet aware of such as diabetes and liver or kidney problems. Let your doctor know that you’re planning on traveling and they can order the right tests to ensure you’re good to go.

As you’re probably aware, one of the main symptoms of COVID-19 is a high temperature. Having this checked before traveling will give you the peace of mind that you’re as healthy as possible!

Having the necessary vaccinations for your destination is more crucial now than it ever has been. Be sure to book them in plenty of time before traveling in case of any side effects such as a high temperature or flu symptoms. Protect yourself from falling ill at all costs.

While your hearing and sight may not be affected by Coronavirus, they are both important aspects of your health. Most opticians now offer hearing tests as well as eye tests, so visit your optician to tick that off the list too! If you do need glasses or a new prescription, you can find a whole range of designer glasses here. Remember to pack a spare pair while traveling in case you lose or break your main pair!

The most important thing at the end of all of this is that you’re safe and well. The harsh truth is that traveling will put you at a higher risk of catching the virus, especially if you’re visiting a country that’s been hit hard by COVID-19. For the safety of yourself and others, be sure to have a full health check before traveling. While some aspects of your health might not be affected by Coronavirus if you did catch it, having a clean bill of health will lessen the impacts if you were to catch it. 

You may find that if and when COVID-19 seems like a distant memory, many places will still have precautions in place such as being unable to meet with large groups of people, or wearing face masks in public places. When traveling, keep this in mind. Be conscious that there is still a risk wherever you go. Take precautions such as carrying disinfectant wipes to clean door handles and tables in restaurants. Little steps like these will help prevent you from catching the virus. Here are some other ways you could be self-sufficient while traveling:

You’re probably very used to it by now, but using contactless payment at every chance will help prevent the spread or exposure to the virus. Plus, it saves having the odd bit of change in a foreign country once you return home!

You should also consider using contactless in other ways too such as your boarding pass if you’re choosing to fly, and any other travel documents you may need. If you’ve got a smartphone, you should be able to store all of the travel documents you need on your phone.

Where contactless isn’t possible, such as your taxi or coach from the airport to your destination, consider calling ahead and prepaying for your transport to save yourself and others at risk.

You will find that each country and region has its own rules against fighting the virus, and this usually depends on the severity of cases the country in question has at that time. Before traveling, take the time to read up on:

Familiarizing yourself with rules and restrictions will help you avoid running into trouble with the authorities and the locals too!

Traveling by plane or bus will put you at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19, but if you take the right precautions, you can protect yourself! Wearing your mask at all times will probably be a necessity on planes and buses, but you can protect yourself further by:

If you do need to eat while traveling, only eat something you’ve prepared to reduce the chance of infection.

If possible, avoid using transport such as planes and buses altogether! Why not hire a car and drive to your destination? If you’re traveling with company, you could turn your vacation into a road trip too! Another bonus of driving to your destination is that you won’t need to hire any transport or use public transport while away.

Much like your government’s recommendations throughout lockdown, wash your hands at every chance you get for at least twenty seconds each time you:

One thing to remember is that all over the world, many businesses have suffered due to being forced to close during the lockdown. Millions of people have lost their jobs, and many businesses are still struggling! Shopping at local stores for your general needs will help support that community, and maybe you’ll help towards keeping someone’s business afloat.

Traveling and sightseeing are going to be very different from before for the foreseeable future. However, even with restrictions in place, you can still have so much fun traveling! You might not be able to visit main attractions, but you’re still able to see the beauty of the world, taste the local cuisine, experience the culture, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

There’s a lot to think about when traveling at the moment, but with the right precautions and some common sense, you can still experience the wonders of the world!