How to Travel Safe During COVID-19

Focus on Safety and Scams

It is a totally unprecedented time; never before have we seen a global pandemic on such a scale that has totally changed the way we live our lives—traveling with COVID-19 still very much an issue. It is tricky, and of course, to ensure safe travel, we must respect the limitations of the country we live in. Not to mention that we should be aware at all times of the typical travel scams that could happen along the way.

In some cases, this means we are not currently cleared to travel internationally or even domestically. However, airlines are working incredibly hard to ensure that when flights do take place, they are as safe as possible. Still, there is only so much they can do, as often it relies on the passengers doing their own bit to ensure that everyone remains safe.

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So, if you are allowed to travel, and there are no restrictions in place, how can you confirm that you are doing so in the safest way possible?

No Quick Fix

Everyone assumed that it would be a temporary measure during the first look down, and life would soon return to normal. The virus has shown us that it is resilient and ready to resurge at any time. This means that there is no quick fix available.

Even when travel corridors are reopened, we must continue to take precautions for a long time to ensure that we're not inadvertently spreading it again. Any practices adopted now are likely to stay in place, and even if they are not made compulsory, which many will be, common sense suggests that we should continue to do our part and travel responsibly.

Test and Trace

Test and trace will still play a large part in international travel. Likely, you will not be able to travel to specific destinations unless you can produce a clear COVID-19 test that has been taken within the required before travel.

There is some discussion that you will also need evidence of a COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain countries, but these rules will again be clarified when travel becomes commonplace. The track and trace system remains in place. Hence, the airlines have the data needed to ensure that if you happen to contact anyone on your flight, which later tests positive, you will be notified and must follow the self-isolation rules currently at the time.

You may also be required to isolate when you arrive or return to a country, and again the period and details will be made clear to you by the country's government. It is vital to abide by these rules. Even if you have a clear COVID-19 test, if you wake up on the day of the flight and fall ill with symptoms that could easily be attributed to the virus, you should do the responsible thing and not travel without further testing. You should notify the airport if you test positive within a few days of the flight.

Social Distancing

At all times, when mixing with large groups of people, you should try to observe the principles of self-distancing. Airports should be implementing queuing and one-way systems to make this a lot easier, but it's up to you to take responsibility and make sure you are at least 6 feet away from another person who is not part of your group.

You should also be wearing a mask in high traffic areas; although there are some exceptions on health grounds, even people with breathing issues choose to keep a mask on to protect themselves. There's no need to wear gloves, as this has been proven ineffective, but you must regularly wash your hands and avoid touching communal surfaces like handrails.

You can also carry a small bottle of hand gel to periodically sanitize your hands if you are concerned that you may come into contact with contaminated areas. The risk from food and drink has been deemed particularly low, but again you may want to unpack any food items and bin the packaging, washing your hands before you eat the food within.

Plane Sanitizing

Airlines now go to great lengths to ensure that planes are deep cleaned after every flight, including fogging measures. This is where an antibacterial agent is sprayed through the whole plane, ensuring that every surface gets covered and cannot be missed. You will find social distancing employed in the seating arrangements and stick to the seat you have been given.

Air hostesses will remain as distant as possible while still looking after you, and again it's up to you to wash your hands and sanitize primarily after you have used the bathroom. You will be given instructions as to whether you are required to wear your mask and when, and again you should apply where at all possible.

How To Report Suspicious Activity

You should also be aware of scams while traveling, from fake websites to vacation rentals. You can officially report any suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using the link below:

Report To The FTC Here

 

How To Prevent Identity Theft and More

If you want to be the first to receive the most notorious scams on a weekly basis, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. Meanwhile, educate yourself with some other travel fraud-related articles below, so that you can protect yourself when going away. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other travel scammers.

Here are some must-reads for the end:

Early Flight Scam

Travel Insurance Scam