The yuletide season is just around the corner. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, it’s a good idea to spend your time with your loved ones — your family. However, this can be a problem when you’re living away from them during this pandemic. Chances are, you want to go home and reunite with them for the holidays.
Fret not, as the pandemic restrictions have become lighter in different parts of the world. The same is true for the travel restrictions. However, you still need to follow travel protocols to promote health and safety. The last thing you want to happen is to go home with the COVID-19 infection and risk your entire family.
That said, here are some travel tips for going home for the holidays during this pandemic:
1. Ensure you’re fully vaccinated
When deciding to go home or not, the first question you should ask yourself is: am I fully vaccinated? If yes, your risk of COVID-19 infection is minimal compared to those who aren’t vaccinated. Hence, you need not worry about traveling safely to go home and reunite with your family. If not, consider getting your second dose of vaccines before deciding to travel. The last thing you want to happen is to compromise your family’s health and life.
2. Assess the COVID-19 infection risk in your route
The next thing to consider is your destination, the place where you’ll go home and reunite with your family. Check the COVID-19 cases and the risk of infection in your area. Consider the health and safety in the places you’ll pass by and drop by for your travel route. You don’t want to become infected with the novel coronavirus and transmit the virus to your family. On the other hand, your family will advise you to cancel your travel if there’s a high risk of infection in your locality. They’ll most likely stay at home during a lockdown.
3. Get well-acquainted with the travel protocols
If you’ve learned that it’s safe to travel, be well-acquainted with the travel protocols before taking the plunge. Aside from booking your flight and preparing your travel requirements (like travel pass and vaccination card), make sure to ask about the travel measures. For one, you have to wear a mask and maintain social distance. Also, have the initiative to wash and sanitize your hand more frequently. Plus, don’t forget to pack your food supplies instead of buying goods. Lastly, avoid crowded places as much as possible.
4. Prepare your travel essentials
It’s one thing to travel; it’s another to have all your travel essentials. It makes a difference in your life if you’re always prepared and ready. The goal is to avoid getting the COVID-19 infection and ensure your overall health and well-being. That said, consider the following travel essentials during this pandemic:
- K95 masks or disposable face masks
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfectant wipes
- Water bottle
- Reusable straw
- Stasher bags
- Thermometer
- First-aid kit
5. Clean, disinfect, and pack things up
When traveling, you’ll most likely have a travel handbag or a few pieces of luggage. As such, you must ensure that they are clean and disinfected. Make sure to dust them off and apply Environmental Protection Agency or EPA-approved disinfectants. The same is true for all your belongings and items you’ll pack up for your travel. Make sure to disinfect your handbag and luggage before departure and after arrival.
6. Follow health and safety measures when traveling
During the actual travel, you must strictly follow the health and safety measures. Of course, you must be well-acquainted with the travel protocols beforehand. However, make sure to comply with them completely. For one, wear your mask all the time. Also, perform frequent hand-washing or hand-sanitizing. Plus, don’t forget to avoid crowded places and maintain social distance.
7. Don’t forget your Christmas presents
Of course, your travel won’t be complete without your Christmas presents. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the yuletide season is about gift-giving and sharing. Yes, you can purchase ready-made gifts or greeting cards. However, it makes a world of difference if you come up with handmade crafts. For instance, you can have craft kits for adults and create perfect Christmas presents for your family. Pack them and keep them safe during your actual travel. As soon as you arrive, hand them over to your loved ones.
At this point, you now know how to travel safely during this pandemic. Consider the travel tips recommended above, from getting yourself vaccinated to preparing your travel essentials to bringing home some Christmas presents. In the end, nothing can be more fulfilling than going home for the holidays and reuniting with your family.
