As more borders open and restrictions loosen, people are itching to throw some clothes into a suitcase and get back to traveling. But what does safe travel look like in 2021?
If it’s been a while since you hit the road (or the sky), you might be wondering what to expect in this new (and not quite normal) world.
From what to pack, how to prepare, and how to navigate life outside your household bubble, here are some of our top safe travel tips for 2021 …
Plan ahead for safe travel
Be sure to research the area you’ll be visiting to check the requirements are for face masks and vaccinations, in particular. Some destinations will require you to have at least one dose, while others may require both. Be sure to pack any documentation that will confirm your vax status, too.
Pack the pandemic essentials
We’re not out of the woods yet, so you’ll want to pack hand sanitizer (ones containing at least 60% alcohol are recommended) and sanitizing wipes (look for the ones with at least 70% alcohol), as well as face masks (even if you don’t think you’ll need them).
If you’ve been spending most of your time stuck at home for the last year or so, you might also want to travel with items you’re used to having on hand at all times — like water, snacks, and tissues.
Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen! (It’s probably been a while since you needed it. #lockdownlife)
Sanitize (or avoid) high-touch surfaces
No need to bubble-wrap yourself and frantically wipe down everything in sight, but it can’t hurt to sanitize the high-touch surfaces you can’t avoid — like your airplane tray table, rental car steering wheel, or hotel TV remote.
(Actually, even in pre-COVID times, we were fans of putting the hotel TV remote inside the free showercap so we didn’t have to touch it, ick.)
When you’re out and about, disinfecting wipes are great for cleaning off items you can’t help but touch — like rented equipment or café tabletops.
Ventilation is important, so if you’re able to pop open the windows in your hotel room or rental car, or dine outdoors on a patio instead of inside a crowded restaurant, even better.
Go contactless (when possible)
If there’s a way to order something online or complete an entire in-person transaction with your phone, try that. Tapping your chip card, for example, involves a lot less contact than handling a fistful of grubby bills.
Psssst! One way to eliminate in-person travel errands is to use aloSIM to secure any travel data packages you need for your trip. You can browse plans, make purchases, and activate your new eSIM right on your phone, without the need to visit a mobility kiosk.
Keep it clean when traveling
Remember when the pandemic was brand-new, and the first real piece of advice we kept hearing was “Don’t touch your face”? Well, it’s still a good idea to keep from touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
Be sure to wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t an option, hand sanitizer will do in a pinch.
Be crowd-smart
It can be overwhelming to be in a big crowd post-COVID, so consider wearing your face mask — even when it isn’t required — if you’re going to be around a lot of strangers, especially indoors.
Depending on your comfort level, keeping a safe distance apart from people you don’t know is also a good idea, when possible (six feet or two metres).
Relax and enjoy safe travel in 2021
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you probably haven’t been traveling much (or at all) since before the pandemic struck in early spring of 2020.
Even though life isn’t 100% back to normal, it’s pretty wonderful to be able to explore new places, try new food, and meet new people again. Wipes and masks aside, be sure to enjoy your trip and remember all the things you LOVE about travel.
