The Pandemic has sporadically changed travel conditions around the world. Various countries erected specific requirements to restrict travel when the Pandemic still violently raged.
Today, the lockdown across different states in the U.S. are steadily being eased. The pandemic situation is still closely watched by the Government. While states would love to lift lockdown and go back to the pre-pandemic world, it’s simply a matter of anyone’s guess if there will be a second wave.
Many European countries have reported a second wave of the virus. The United States fears that a second wave will be thoroughly disastrous, especially if there aren’t enough shots to vaccinate America’s 328million population.
Still, we love to travel. There are countless protocols out there, and every traveler must know these protocols to assure safety and prevent getting infected in an adventure.
We had a fantastic one-on-one with Nimrod Santo, a digital response marketer, entrepreneur, and avid traveler. Nimrod Santo loves to travel since it’s a way to trigger his business creativity.
He was open about many aspects of his life—business, family, and exotic places he visited in 2020. He also gave us crucial strategies and instructions that everyone who loves to travel in this corona-led era should know.
4 Strategies for Traveling Freely
1. Plan Your Journey COVID-19 Style
How do you plan a trip COVID-19 style? The most important thing is for you to understand where you want to go.
Unfortunately, the U.S. has the highest COVID-19 cases, and so it’s not particularly safe. I check out the global COVID-19 case map when planning to travel, using a tool called HealthMap.
You also need to take into account that many states have strict requirements. If you want to enter a new state, check the state’s local regulations, and ensure that you do not break the rules.
Social distancing is nearly impossible on a full flight, even when middle seats are kept vacant. That is why it is very important to wear a mask and wash your hands well before and after eating or drinking, and after using the bathroom.
2. Use a Risk Assessment Sheet
A risk assessment sheet will show you the kind of activities you can and cannot do and general safety protocols. Be aware that traveling may increase your chance of spreading or contracting COVID-19.
3. Prepare
- Treat yourself well before taking a trip outside your state or the United States. Get a flu shot before you embark on the journey.
- You can take a Covid-19 test at least 14 days before you leave your home because, if you do have the virus, you will endanger the lives of co-travelers, and they will infect more people.
- Get enough masks and hand sanitizer. Always wear a mask when in public places. Be especially careful in public transportation hubs.
- Consider accommodation. At this time, hotels are a high-risk station for contacting Covid-19. You don’t know who you might come across in an elevator or what hand has touched the doorknob. An Airbnb may be a safer alternative to hotel accommodations.
- Bring your food along for the trip—if you can.
- Avoid public restaurants. Order your food and wash your hands before and after every meal.
- Be informed with the travel restrictions in the United States.
4. Enjoy
Enjoy yourself. Sometimes you need to get away from everything. There are times that I would need mental stimulation to move to a higher career phase. Before Covid-19, I could pack a box and be out of the state in a day.
Today, it takes a little more deliberation and planning. If it is unsafe to be out, I stay in my house. If traveling increases your risk of getting sick, you can replicate your favorite vacation spot in your home.
I replicated a waterfall during Christmas, and my family and I had such an amazing time. We did not travel. We did not even leave our homes, but we had loads of fun.
So, to be safe during the journey, you have to wash your hands with soap and water for 20-25 seconds after using the bathroom or getting out of a public place. If soap and water are not available, a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol should do.
After washing, do not cover all the surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Always use disinfecting wipes on handles and buttons at the gas pumps before touching them. Dispose the wipes immediately after use.
I know the rules are endless and exhausting, and it’s easy to give up, become carefree—or careless, and have some fun. The only problem with a careless COVID-attitude is that you will not only be endangering yourself, but you will also endanger other people—including those you love.
As 2021 unfolds, remember that the available vaccine is given only to essential and frontline workers—at the moment. It may take a while before everyone gets one. Enjoy your travels but stay safe.
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