The coronavirus is still spreading but travelling has resumed in most places now to help the economies revive. And despite the risks of the virus spread, people have started planning trips, mainly to get over the lockdown stresses. While travelling solo is considered safer now, if you’re undertaking a journey with your family amid the pandemic, you need to keep the following things in mind:
1. Pack All The Safety Gears: Masks, Gloves, Sanitisers, Disinfectant Wipes, Etc.
Wearing face masks is mandatory now. So while travelling, ensure that all of your family members are putting on masks. Also, keep some extra masks handy so that if you lose one, you will instantly have another handy. Along with the face masks, carry a few pairs of gloves too for that extra protection. Wear gloves while touching surfaces that are highly susceptible to human contact like escalator handles, railings, ATM doors, etc. Keep sanitising your hands often. Before sitting on airport seats, inside planes, railway coaches, etc. don’t forget to wipe the surface with a disinfectant wipe and sanitizer. Discard the tissue immediately after use and sanitise your hands for another time.
2. Train Your Kids About The Safety Measures
If you have kids travelling with you, train them on the measures of safety and social distancing. Take out a couple of hours prior to your journey to sit with your kids and educate them on the necessity to take precautions against COVID-19. Make them aware of the detrimental effects of the virus. If needed, write down in points the safety measures they need to take during the journey and assist them in memorising the points. Train them in a way so that they can proactively safeguard themselves.
3. Check With A Doctor
Before travelling, each of your family members should check with a doctor. If someone is already suffering from a disease, that person should refrain from travelling, as according to experts, patients with comorbidities are more susceptible to coronavirus. Also, ask your doctor to provide a list of important medicines you need to keep as SOS on your trip.
Also Read: 8 Things Travellers Must Not Forget During The Pandemic
4. Check The Body Temperature Of All The Family Members
Ensure that all your family members have normal body temperatures. Check your temperatures before starting the trip and also keep a thermometer to monitor the temperature in case one of your members feel uneasy. Apart from a thermometer, carry an oximeter too to check oxygen levels if any respiratory issue occurs.
5. Avoid Taking Elderly People, Pregnant Women And Infants On Trip
A CDC report states, “Your risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19 increases as you get older. In fact, 8 out of 10 COVID-19-related deaths reported in the United States have been among adults aged 65 years and older.” Also, infants and pregnant women would require special care. In many places, elderly people above 60 years, children below 10 years and pregnant women are not permitted entry. So, it is best not to take them along on a trip now.
6. Carry Home-Cooked Food
Coronavirus doesn’t spread through food, but it can spread through hands, packages and inadequately washed cutleries. So, carry home-cooked food and dry snacks like biscuits, cakes and chips to munch them on the go. Also, remember to sanitise your hands before eating. If you’re feeding your kids, don’t forget to apply sanitiser on your hands.
Also Read: 5 Important Things To Consider Before Travelling Overseas Again
7. Use Only Clean Washrooms
Ensure that you use extremely clean washrooms. Also, use a spray sanitizer to disinfect surfaces with which you might come in contact. Clean your hands thoroughly after coming out of the washrooms. It’s best to avoid using public washrooms at the time of the pandemic.
8. Carry A First Aid Kit
Make a first-aid kit with necessary medicines, band-aids, crepe bandages, sprain-relief gels, anti-allergens, etc. Also, keep some insect repellants and sting relief solutions. And, as mentioned earlier, don’t forget to carry a thermometer.
Also Read: 10 Precautions To Take While Planning A Road Trip Right Now
9. Use Your Own Toiletries
It’s best to use your personal towels now, even if you’re putting up at a luxury resort with all the amenities. You can keep personalized shower caps too. Also, carry your own soaps, shampoos, body scrubs, antiseptic solutions, etc. You might keep a liquid soap with you that can solve dual purposes of bathing and cleaning.
10. Carry Umbrellas And Raincoats
You might be wondering how is carrying a raincoat a precautionary measure against COVID-19. Well, an umbrella or a raincoat won’t combat the virus spread, but they can save you from the rains. As if you get drenched, you might catch cold and get a fever. And having a fever isn’t a good sign at the time of the pandemic.
Also Read: Romantic Quotes About Love And Travel
These are a few things that you need to keep in mind to make your family trip safe and socially-distanced. Having said that, we recommend you to stay indoors until the virus is completely eradicated. Meanwhile, here’s a first-hand air travel experience from Mumbai to Delhi during the COVID-19 outbreak:
