The new normal of travel: What to expect
Vaccinations are in full swing. Countries are giving the green light to enter. Are you ready?
We’ve been on the seesaw of will we or won’t we travel for ages. And while some of us are throwing caution to the wind and booking vacations, others are still pondering whether it’s too soon. Especially when mask mandates are being lifted for vaccinated persons. How do you know someone is vaccinated? It’s not like they wear a badge of honor.
I, for one, have traveled during these surreal times. I’m not going to say I have the system down pat — and I prefer to err on the side of caution when it comes to minimizing risk.
Travel is not canceled — but it will look different
“The world as we knew it is never going to be the same,” says Dr. Robert Quigley, an infectious disease expert and Senior Vice President and Global Medical Director at International SOS and its subsidiary Mediare, in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
The pandemic has created anxiety that is never going away. Regardless of how you travel — by car, train, plane, boat — staying safe requires more than just wearing a mask. You need to be aware of your surroundings from Point A to Point B.
The good (as good as it can get) news is that thanks to efficient air ventilation and filtering, airplanes are an unlikely place to catch viruses because modern airplanes have cabin air filtration systems equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) states that the majority of modern, large, commercial aircraft have taken necessary precautions to keep their planes sanitized and safe for passengers. HEPA filters are effective at capturing greater than 99% of the airborne microbes in the filtered air. Finnair claims cabin air in their modern fleet changes every three minutes. If you check with your favorite carrier, I’m sure you will find similar disclaimers.
For those considering sailing, the cruise ship industry is following airline suit and upgrading air filtration systems. Virgin Voyages’ first ship, the Scarlet Lady, will be retrofitted with a bow-to-stern air purification system that kills 99.9% of all viruses. The system will work in tandem with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that pumps fresh air throughout the ship.
What about trains? U.S. passenger railroad service Amtrak states the onboard air filtrations system circulates air every four to five minutes.
Of course, whether plane, train, or ship, you will see frequent cleaning of high-traffic touchpoints such as door handles, armrests, seatbelts, seating areas, bathrooms, light buttons, etc.
Is travel insurance worth it?
The answer to this question is ambiguous. Many travel insurance companies say they don’t cover COVID-19-related claims, however, they will cover medical expenses accrued while on holiday provided that your destination isn’t in a non-essential travel zone. There are providers who will cover you in no-go destinations, but you know those premiums are probably high as heck. Always check what your airline offers as well as what your insurance provider covers. Do you have an annual policy or are you going with a one-off? Pro tip: Remember to always read the fine print.
Flexing your social muscle
On a side note, we’ve been quarantining, working from home, and falling out of sync socially. Is there going to be a learning curve when we’re finally face-to-face with people we know? What about with people we don’t know? We’ve gotten rusty. According to the BBC in a worklife article, we do need to retrain ourselves to be with others again.
The key, the BBC says is to readjust slowly AND be patient. As the U.S. National Social Anxiety Center advises: “Keep in mind that every single one of us is now socially awkward to a certain extent.”
Shew, misery loves company.
Feeling safe while traveling: Here’s your common-sense guide post-vaccination
So the burning question on everyone’s mind these days is how do I feel safe while traveling from here on in.
We are well versed in the basics of social distancing and personal hygiene by now. As a travel coach, I don’t give advice; I flip the narrative and make it personal. “What works for you? What feels right?” No anxiety or stressors.
Please note that the list below includes my personal tips that I feel comfortable following while out and about. It will most certainly update, as we get wiser:
Wear a mask over your nose and mouth inside public places
Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from random people
Wash your hands with soap often
Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available
Try not to touch stuff
Bring sanitizing wipes to disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Use UV sanitizer for electronic gadgets
Follow local requirements — each country has its own agenda
Monitor yourself for any symptoms
