International Travel and Covid

Today, we have a guest post by Mark Bibby Jackson, TravelBeginsAt40.com focusing on international travel and Covid. His insight and factual input comes from years of first-hand experience as well as being a leader in the field of travel and tourism. I have added links to scientific studies supporting his advice at the end of this guest post to further encourage vaccines, masks, hand washing, and being outdoors.

 

International travel and Covid

By Mark Bibby Jackson, Travel Begins at 40

Rest and relaxation are important for good health, and with international travel becoming easier again, many people are considering taking their rest and relaxation to foreign shores. However, while pandemic restrictions are easing, Covid is still with us, so here are a few tips to help you minimise your risk and stay safe:

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Factor in more than beaches when selecting your destination

The reality is that you are more likely to become infected in certain parts of the world than others. Carry out some research on the rate of infection in the country you are considering visiting and whether this is rising or declining. Pay attention to the infrastructure of the country you are visiting – check if that destination could cope with a large number of tourists requiring hospital treatment. Worldometer has kept track of Covid throughout the pandemic, and you can access data for each country at worldometers.info/coronavirus.

 

HHS/NIH COVID-19 Vaccine Kick-Off event

Get vaccinated against Covid

Ensure you are fully vaccinated before you travel. For both your own health and those around you, please ensure that you have been inoculated against Covid at least 14 days before you travel. Some people are not eligible for vaccination. In which case there are certain precautions they – and everyone else – should take to ensure their travel is safe.

Being vaccinated may also influence where you can travel to with more countries basing their rules around those who have or have not been vaccinated.

COVID-19 mitigations of the Snow Lodge Gift Shop (2)

Take care in the air

While data taken last year indicated the risk of catching Covid on a plane was minimal, it is sensible to take precautions. Wear masks throughout your flight and while at the airport. Maintain sensible social distancing measures where possible, especially when queuing. Take your time and give people space. After all you are on holiday so why not start to relax as soon as possible.

If you can, avoid crowded transport on your way to and from the airport. Normally, I am a strong advocate of using public transport wherever possible, but last year on two trips to Switzerland I chose to drive to Heathrow and then leave my car there. I didn’t even have to take the airport shuttle. It might cost a bit extra, but the added peace of mind means it is money well spent.

Bulgaria May 2014 Evrika Beach Hotel. Our hotel room, basic, clean and adequate.

Check out your accommodation thoroughly

At heart I am still a backpacker. I cherish the sensation of arriving at a destination without pre-booked accommodation, and usually pick local accommodation almost at random. Sadly, I won’t be doing this for a while: I want to be sure that where I am staying has taken all the necessary cleaning and hygiene steps. Most hotels have introduced stringent hygiene regulations to counteract Covid. These can easily be found on their websites, or you can enquire via email. Currently accommodation providers around the world are crying out for customers, ensure that those you book with have done all they can to minimise the risk of the spread of Covid on their property.


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Take sensible precautions

Although part of the appeal of travelling is to get away from your normal routine, during a pandemic it makes sense to take with you some of your everyday precautions. Wear a mask whenever you are in public spaces, transport, restaurants, bars etc. I spent many years in Asia where mask-wearing has become common place to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. I firmly believe that if mask-wearing had been made compulsory earlier then the spread of Covid would have been less virulent. Pack sufficient masks with you for your travel, as well as antiseptic wipes and hand sanitisers. Wash your hands carefully before and after you visit any place. Eat healthily. The same golden rules that have protected you during the last 18 months of the pandemic will also keep you safe on your travels.

Hiking in the Alpine in the Bremner District

Avoid the crowds

None of the above is more important than avoiding close contact with people. Studies indicate that space is the number one way of stopping the spread of Covid. I was fortunate enough to visit Switzerland last summer. I could not have felt safer walking in the mountains breathing in that wonderful Alpine air. Nobody has contracted Covid by trekking in the mountains away from other humans. Walk or cycle as much as possible while on holiday. Not only does this limit the chances of you contracting Covid, but it is also good for you. An early study (linked below) from China indicated that Covid was more easily spread in confined air-conditioned rooms than outdoors. So, wherever possible, choose to dine al fresco – barbecue on the beach or picnic in the mountains – and if indoors, seek places that are well-ventilated and have stringent Covid regulations. Perhaps now is not the time to visit crowded museums and galleries?


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Insure against all eventualities

Unfortunately, however careful you are in planning your trip you cannot foresee all circumstances, which is where travel insurance comes in. Make sure that your holiday is protected against Covid. I recommend Battleface Insurance. Check that your insurance covers both evacuation and repatriation, and ensure that you are covered for treatment at an international standard hospital. If your destination of choice lacks such facilities, then perhaps you should reconsider your trip. When travelling in Europe the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will not cover all scenarios, so make sure you bolster this with appropriate travel insurance.

Seekers of The Setting Sun

Relax and enjoy yourself

If you take these sensible precautions, then there is no reason why you should be at a greater risk of catching Covid while abroad than at home. Indeed, with rising Covid infection rates in the UK you may well be a lot safer. Plan ahead, take sensible precautions and enjoy yourself.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Bibby Jackson is passionate about travel and sharing the joys of visiting new places and people. He is founder and group editor of websites Travel Begins at 40 and London Begins at 40, as well as the award-winning author of three thrillers set in Cambodia. He is the former editor of AsiaLIFE Cambodia, ASEAN Forum, and Horizon Thailand magazines.

Web: https://www.travelbeginsat40.com/

https://www.markbibbyjackson.co.uk/ 

https://www.londonbeginsat40.com/ 

Twitter: @TravelBegins40

Facebook / Instagram: @TravelBeginsat40

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-bibby-jackson-aa541613/

 

Research/Study Links

There are so many scientific studies and peer-reviewed articles related to the effectiveness of vaccines, masks, hand washing, and being outdoors against the transmission of and death from Covid-19. I selected just a few articles to link in support the advice in Mark Bibby Jackson’s fabulous guest post.

Indoor versus outdoor transmission of SARS-COV-2: environmental factors in virus spread and underestimated sources of risk (2021)

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