Are you travelling soon and wondering if it’s safe to go on holiday and travel abroad during COVID-19? The UK government advises against “all but essential” international travel to certain countries, but there are exceptions. The list is updated daily on the government’s website and it currently includes; Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Turkey and others.
Read on if you would like to learn how to travel safely during COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about the ‘countries and territories exempt from advice against ‘all but essential’ international travel'
Facts you should know about the virus
- The virus transmits generally from infected people sneezing or coughing. Their infected droplets remain in the air or stick onto surfaces.
- The best way to ensure your safety is to wear a mask, social distance, regularly disinfect your hands by washing them for 20 seconds or using a hand sanitiser, avoiding touching your face.
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Before your flight
- Make sure to pack your own anti-COVID travel essentials pack. We recommend a small bag that includes ziplock bags, a water bottle, packed lunch, hand sanitiser, spare face mask, antiviral wet wipes, and tissues.
- Place your passport and ticket in a ziplock bag, place your spare mask in another. Since other people will be checking your passport and tickets, the best way to not get infected through them is to disinfect them each time someone else touches them and to place them back - clean - in the ziplock bag.
- The ventilation systems on planes are recirculating more outside fresh air than usual and the air in the plane might be colder. Make sure to bring a jacket with you.
- Arrive at the airport early as more screenings are taking place before your flight.
In the plane
- If you can fly business class because you will have a better chance to social distance. If you can’t fly business class, get a window seat. This will help you face away from fellow passengers and you won’t be exposed to people who walk through the aisle.
- Limit your liquid intake before you get on your plane to avoid having to go to the toilet.
- If you will be flying for over 5 hours, try to book indirect flights. The longer you are in a closed space, the higher your chances of getting infected if there is an infected passenger on the plane.
When you land/arrive at your destination
- Disinfect your luggage and items you touched during your trip.
- Make sure to wash the clothing you wore during your travels.
- Keep an eye on your health for at least a week.
General advice to avoid catching the virus whilst travelling
- Always wear your mask.
- Keep a distance of six feet (approx. 2 metres) from everyone when queuing, walking, standing.
- Be mindful about where you touch.
- You are at higher risk at the airport, public transport or the plane. Limit your movement in the train, bus, or plane to avoid having to touch surfaces.
- Don’t travel to places that experience major outbreaks of COVID-19.
- Don’t hug, kiss, shake hands with new people.
- Avoid large crowds if you can or keep your 2-metre distance.
- Don’t pet animals Don’t eat raw or undercooked food.
- Do your research before you travel to learn about hygienic restaurants that require booking and operate with limited capacity.
- Strengthen your immune system with immune booster teas and vitamins.
- Travelling with kids might be even more of a challenge, make sure they understand what the rules are, make it into a game to help them adhere by the rules (Children under two are not required to wear a mask)
- Avoid travelling if you have preexisting health conditions or if you are older than 65.
Some airlines allow more flexible choices for their passengers if the plane is flying full capacity. If you booked your flight with us, please call our offices 3 days before your flight to check if there are any changes or if you would like to make any changes to your travel arrangements.
Safe travels!