Traveling During A Pandemic

Hello Miss Rona!

If we learned anything from the first quarter of 2020, it is the unpredictability of daily living and how a novel virus could alter the course of people’s lives, health, careers, personal goals, and countries’ economies. Since the coronavirus or COVID-19 as it’s commonly called broke in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the world has recorded to date over 16 million confirmed cases, 655,122 confirmed deaths, and more than 200 countries across the continents affected, according to the World Health Organization reports (July 2020).

Global Impact of the Pandemic

The spread of the virus throughout the world has left countries in a recession with falling stock market prices, rising unemployment rates across world economies, income cuts due to the shutdown, which spelled redundancy for employees especially those whose roles could not be adapted to remote work. The first 3 months January – March 2020, for most of the worst-hit countries spelled a gloom with fears of increasing hunger and poverty across the nation. Reports by the United Nations indicated acute food insecurity, which could rise from more than 130 million to nearly 300 million owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Worst Hit Sectors

Airlines, travel, and tourism were one of the most hit by the pandemic across the world as governments were forced to implement disease planning and management strategies some of which involved the shutdown of borders (land, air, and sea) and ban on non-essential travels.

Other industries also hit by the pandemic across the world includes hotels, restaurants and bars, creative industries, sports, among others.

How Has Travel Been Affected?

The initial spread of the Coronavirus after its discovery in Wuhan, China, was said to have spread into more countries through air travel. Following recorded index cases across the world, a lot of countries sort to restrict travel and border access, leading to one of the worst financial hits to airlines since 2003 (Forbes, 2020). According to data from air travel intelligence firm OAG, more than 25,000 flights were canceled in the first full week of February 2020.

As most countries gear up for a gradual economic recovery, air travel remains at a record low as fears of further spread of the virus still lingers. Dubai was one of the first Middle East countries to announce and commence the reopening of its country to tourists on July 7, 2020. According to the CEO of the Dubai Corporation of Tourism, Isaam Kazim, “the emirate has invested heavily in health and safety measures and is ready to welcome restless travelers who have been grounded in their homes for months.”

Tips for Travelling During a Pandemic

Whether you’re traveling to provide essential services, for leisure (Dubai has opened to tourists) to be reunited with family or returning to your country of origin following the phased reopening’s across the world, here are essential tips/must-haves for your trip during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Travel with more than one face-covering/mask

Be sure to travel with at least three face coverings if flying for more than 14 hours. This allows you to change your masks at intervals as you should have them on for the entire duration of your flight. It also reduces your risk of contamination and exposure from touching surfaces while going through checking and boarding procedures. If you must eat while on your flight, remove face coverings or mask totally to avoid contaminating the insides from hanging loosely on your face or under your chin. Chances are you might have touched some exposed areas of your face with contaminated hands during your travel.

Have a hand and surface sanitizing kit

Antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizers are a must-have for any travel during the pandemic. Be sure to buy surface wipes with high alcohol concentrates which can kill up to 99% of bacteria on surfaces. Use the surface wipes to clean armrests on the plane, doorknobs to the restroom and hand wash surfaces, and dispose of immediately. After every wipe, remember to wash and sanitize your hands.

Wash your hands regularly

It is not enough to have surface wipes or hand sanitizers, handwashing must be incorporated at intervals. It is advised that after every four consecutive use of your hand sanitizer, you should wash your hands and repeat the process until you arrive at your destination.

Keep a safe distance as much as possible

Planes are probably not the best spaces to be physically and socially distanced, especially because of its confined nature. But if you happen to be traveling on a medium human capacity flight, find a seat where you can have a vacant space between you and the next traveler. This reduces any possible human contact.

Pack a snack bag

There are now so many restrictions on serving food during a flight due to the pandemic. If you’re particular about what you eat, it would be great to pack a small snack bag with dry snacks for your trip. Chips, muffins, biscuits, crackers among others may come in handy!

Monitor yourself for any symptoms

While on your trip and once you arrive at your destination, monitor yourself for any possible symptoms. In case of a suspected illness during your flight, inform the cabin crew to seek necessary ground medical support, and reduce the risks of exposing other travelers. The World Health Organization encourages travelers to avoid non- essential travel for now. For travels related to evacuation of citizens, travelers are encouraged to self-isolate upon arrival for a minimum of 14 days, corresponding with the known incubation period of the virus, according to existing information (WHO, 2020).

What are some of your tips for international travel during a pandemic? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.