Travelling During Covid - Part 2

In Part I of this Blog,?I shared some tips on preparing yourself for your getaway during this not so normal ‘new normal’. In Part 2 I will look at some of the things you can do to keep your physical and mental health in check while travelling, and also offer tips on the preparations you need to make for the inevitable end of your vacation, and your return home.

Safety First Safety Always:?In Part 1 we talked about safety in the context of your accommodation and satisfying yourself about the cleanliness and hygiene protocols at the location that you will be staying at. Having done your due diligence in that regard, it is so important not to drop your guard regarding your safety in general.?Since mid-March 2020 with the onset of the pandemic, it has become almost mandatory for stores, restaurants, public institutions and so on in Jamaica to have a sanitizing station at the door as you enter, or a person there to zap your hands with hand sanitizer or an alcohol-based cleansing solution before allowing you in. It is second nature to us Jamaicans in most circles now, and we instinctively look for the station or the person.This may not always be the case in every destination you visit however, as I soon discovered on arrival in the bustling New York. I found few of the above mentioned station in stores or public spaces like trains stations etc., and I quickly realized that my safety and protection from the dreaded virus would strictly be my individual responsibility. This may be true of other destinations too, so bear this in mind as you travel, and always be prepared to be your own mobile sanitizing station. I was sure to travel with my own hand sanitizer, and was armed with several pocket sized ones which fit easily into whatever purse or tote I was carrying. A bottle of rubbing alcohol spray is also good for wiping surfaces that you have to touch (eg. café counters etc.), and wipes and tissues may also come in handy.?

I was amused one day at an encounter in a New Jersey train station with an elderly lady whom I will call Pat. I got off of a train and walked towards the elevator where I found Pat all by herself apparently waiting on the elevator. She was using a walker, and had clearly been there for a while before me as I had not seen her ahead of me when I disembarked the train, yet she still had not pressed the button to call the elevator.?She was instead digging frantically in her bag for something. After a brief exchange with her to ensure that she was okay and not in need of assistance, I discovered that Pat was looking for a tissue with which to press the elevator button. Since it was clear the elusive pack of tissues wasn’t going to be found any time soon, I called the elevator for both of us and then punched the relevant buttons when we got into the elevator. Of course I pressed my trusty hand sanitizer into surface immedately after. Pat pooh-poohed the idea of hand sanitizers as we chatted amicably on the ride up to the main floor and insisted that she only used tissues.?We bid each other a cheery goodbye with the now customary “stay safe”, but my travel companion and I could not help but chuckle at the incongruity of having a rigid hygiene protocol, but not actually having the necessary material to implement it! The morale of the story is, don’t be a Pat – whatever your preference is for keeping your hands clean, be sure to always have your own hygiene material at hand, particularly when passing through heavily trafficked locations.

Mask Up: Yes, I know this is a touchy subject, but I have to go there! Whether you believe in or like wearing masks or not, it is mandatory in many places, and if you’d rather not tangle with law enforcement and authorities during your well-needed break, it is advisable to be prepared to don your mask if so asked or instructed. I found that I was required by law to wear a mask once I was using the New York or New Jersey public transportation systems including taxis, and the same was true for most public spaces such as stores, libraries and even restaurants for pick up service. There was a sign in the lobby of my hotel requesting that guests who were not vaccinated wear a mask once they were in the common areas. It was an honour system as no one was actually checking for proof of vaccination, but I found that like me, pretty much everybody wore their mask once they stepped out of their hotel room, whether for their own safety or as a courtesy to others. If you are really averse to wearing a mask, research which destinations do not place a lot of emphasis on that particular COVID-19 Protocol, or consider putting off travel for the time being until the world rights itself.?

Oh, and since I mentioned the “V” word and I am already knee-deep in the land of touchy subjects anyway, I may as well take a minute to note that up to the time of my travel in August proof of vaccination to enter various establishments did not seem to be a requirement as I was not asked to present this anywhere that I went. As with everything else with this pandemic however, tides shift, and since my return home, I have noted that the United States Government is now requiring that persons applying for immigrant visas for residency in that country must provide proof of vaccination. Some countries already have this requirement in place for persons wishing to enter their borders, even for a visit, so it is extremely important as you make your plans to keep yourself up to date with which destinations require proof of vaccine and which don’t, and choose your vacation spot accordingly depending on your vaccination status. Countries allowing entry of vaccinated persons only may also have stipulations about the time frame between full vaccination and the date of travel, so that is another point to look out for in your research. If you are vaccinated, you should not only bring your proof of travel to the destination with you, but also travel around with it should you be asked to present it in order to enter a particular establishment.

Expect the Unexpected. I mentioned this in Part I of this Blog, but it bears repeating. Living as I do in a much sought after tourism destination, I have noticed over the last year or so how many visitors to my island take to social media to complain about not being able to do certain things, or to express their dissatisfaction about venues not being open, closing earlier than usual, or having certain do’s and don’ts and restrictions in place. This is not unique to Jamaica?- I see the complaints circulated on travel and social media sites by disgruntled travellers about other destinations too. Here’s the simple antidote to becoming an equally unhappy camper or traveller – remind yourself of these three words…… “It’s a pandemic”. A pandemic by its very nature is a unusual occurrence, something out of the norm, and because of its impact, it means that many other things will also be outside of the norm.

I travelled to the usually hopping, bustling New York with the expectation that things would be different, some venues would be closed, some restaurants may take customers on a reservations basis only, and some attractions might allow people access on a limited basis.?

Having an open mind allowed me to accept disappointing closures or restrictions more readily, and to be flexible enough to make the necessary adjustments to my plans. I encourage other travellers to do the same and to keep a positive frame of mind, grateful that after months of being grounded we can at least travel again!

No Assurance Get Insurance:?Insurance is one of those words that most of us don’t like to hear, but in a pandemic which is fraught with all kinds of uncertainties, the truth is that now more than ever it may well prove to be a necessary evil.?In some instances, depending on your destination, health and travel insurance is mandatory, and you must present proof of purchase of insurance as part of your visa application (eg. Schengen Visas). It may not be mandatory for your particular destination, but it really is still a good idea to get it. Let’s say there is an unexpected disruption in the destination you are visiting – whether caused by the pandemic or otherwise, or - God forbid -?you test positive for COVID, you may need to extend your stay, change flights and adjust your arrangements for accommodation. Depending on the insurance package you purchase, it may cover all or most of the extra costs caused by the fallout.

The insurance may be offered as an option when booking your flight and/or your accommodation, or many travel sites offer stand alone arrangements. All insurance policies aren’t equal, so do your research and make sure you know exactly what a plan covers before buying. Do your due diligence when researching medical coverage in particular, as you will want to ensure that it will cover COVID-related medical costs. You can also find policies to cover medical evacuations, lost luggage, and a host of other potential situations. You may opt to pay more for “cancel for any reason” coverage to cover all bases.

Ready, Set Go:?As is always the case, all too soon you will find that the days have disappeared and your vacation is coming to a rapid end. Here again, COVID has brought some changes which will alter the flow of the last of your happy go lucky care free days. In my case, all persons flying into Jamaica must present a negative COVID-19 Test to be allowed entry. The same may be true of your home country.

There are different types of tests, so you first need to familiarize yourself with the type of test that the authorities in your home country accepts and ensure that you get the right test. In the case of Jamaica, all this information is housed on the websites of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism. I strongly advise you check the relevant sites for your country before you even depart on vacation so that you know what will be required of you and can establish the timelines for what you must do when.?Most countries will require the test to be done within 72 hours of your re-entry, so you will need to work backwards and build this procedure into the last few days of your stay.

For peace of mind, you may actually want to secure your appointment for a test before you leave on vacation, or at best in the early days of your stay so that you can set your mind at ease that it has been locked in. Depending on where you are, you may find that you can do walk-ins, but many sites go by appointment only. I found that I spent an anxious two days trying to find a site that had available appointments within the timeframe that I needed it, that offered the type of test that I needed and that could turn around the results in the timeframe that I needed them.?It all worked out in the end, but it required a bit more coordinating and juggling than I had originally anticipated, and a few nail-biting moments.

Then there is the issue of the cost. COVID tests are not cheap, and you will need to build this into your budget. Some states in the United States apparently issue the test free of charge, whereas in other states you are required to?pay for the test unless you can provide health insurance or proof of residency in that State. It also pays to shop around as the charges do vary.

Note that the testing availability, procedure, turnaround time and costs are likely to be different in each destination, so again, this is why it is important to do your homework even before you travel so that you know what to expect and don’t waste valuable time on the ground trying to figure things out.???????

Last but by no means least, familiarize yourself with any other documentation or procedure that your home country requires of you. In the case of Jamaica, every traveller entering the island must secure prior authorization to do so. Travel Authorization applications must be submitted within seven (7) days of the intended travel date and the relevant forms are on the Ministry of Tourism’s?visitjamaica.com website. The turnaround time is usually within 24 hours, but to avoid anxious moments, give yourself at least 48 hours to secure the approval.

The advice from Part 1 of this blog when you were getting ready to head out on your vacation regarding checking?with your airlines re documentation required to board their flights is just as relevant for your return home. The last thing you want is any surprises at the airport.

All of the above sounds daunting, but if you plan properly, do your research, follow the safety protocols and keep an open, positive and flexible mind, you should pass all the tests - including your COVID test - with flying colours!??If all of this seems overwhelming then don't forget that your travel agent is a great resource who is very familiar with all the processes and can help you navigate the various hurdles.?Either way, you can head home rejuvenated and refreshed and of course…….. ready to plan your next escape! ?

Bon Voyage!