TOP TIPS ON TAKING A SAFE VACATION IN THE TIME OF COVID
My first tip is – Don’t Worry! Areas that are opening up to travel have passed strict tests for safety and have low or no new cases of the Covid – 19 virus. By adopting your good hygiene practices from the tips below, you can have a safe journey and be relaxed knowing that travel providers are also adopting the same cautious approach to your biosecurity.
Prepare
Pre-trip, make sure you are familiar with any quarantine rules for your home country and your destination, so that if you have any health issues, you will: a) be able to get home, and b) be fully prepared with medicines and insurance coverage should your stay have to be extended. Additionally, reinforce your immune system by taking a course of vitamin C and getting plenty of sleep. Pack everything in a hard rolling suitcase and carry-on if possible. (The hard case will be easy to clean.) Check your airline website for their hygiene protocols. Most are quite extensive.
Day of Travel
Take your temperature before you leave the house. Bring a good mask, a couple of sets of plastic gloves, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. In the car to the airport, wash down the door handles and any other touch areas with sanitizer. Ride with the window open. Invest in a security fast track to reduce contact with other people. Self-check-in and use a sanitizing wipe to give the once over to any documents or cards you might have had to hand over. Be vigilant when using bathrooms and use sanitizer or wash hands frequently. Purchase any food and drinks you may wish to have on board now and thereby reduce any further risks inflight.
On the Plane
Board as late as you can and invest in a premium seat if you can afford it. The window seat in the back row of your cabin will reduce exposure to coughing from behind. Wear your mask throughout the flight. Keep the air vents on full flow and sanitize your entire seat area. Bring sanitizing wipes with you to the bathroom to open the door handle and anything else you touch. Keep in contact with others to a minimum. The air on planes is refreshed every few minutes, so with the use of a mask, the flight itself is probably one of the safest elements of your journey.
Disembarking at Your Destination
You may be met at the plane door by airport staff, who will handle your passports and luggage. As you enter the arrivals hall they will wash down the luggage and advise you to do the same with your documents and they will most likely do a temperature check.
Arriving At Your Accommodations
I advise booking accommodations that are low-density or a private villa. Occupation levels in luxury hotels, boutique properties, and restaurants are routinely less than 50 percent. I’m sensitive to noise and crowds, so I LOVE going to eat in restaurants now that they are at 50 percent occupancy.
Most hotels have recently improved their hygiene protocols to the highest international standards. You can confirm this on the hotel’s website. On arrival, your concierge team will go through the protocols in place and make sure you are clear on what is expected of you.
Generally, the new hygiene standards fall into the following categories:
Health and Hygiene
Social Distancing
Cleanliness and Sanitation
Touchless and Limited-Contact Services
Food Presentation Safety
Communication
The above categories are now the travel industry standard for consideration by visitors. All providers, including guides, drivers, accommodation providers, and restaurants and entertainment outlets, will be fully trained on all aspects of the above, and will meet the hygiene standards required by each client no matter how stringent. Forbes magazine best explains the above elements with this excellent guide.
(https://www.forbestravelguide.com/landing/best-practices)
During Your Trip
Keep your mask and your sanitizing wipes with you. You may want to sanitize your hotel room yourself for peace of mind. I have a quick article on that at https://luxuristtravel.com/10-steps-to-sanitize-your-hotel-room-cabin-or-home/
Go down to the pool or beach early to reserve a nice spot upwind and at least 6 feet from others. This is a great time to splurge on a private cabana. Relax, knowing that you have your sanitizer handy and everyone is doing their best to stay healthy!
