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Dos and Don’t Dos When Traveling During the Pandemic

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Published on July 16, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes



Travel has become an essential part of modern life. Whether it be travelling for business, work, or leisure, it is hard for us to avoid frequent travel in the 21st century. However, the onset of COVID 19 has transformed the way we travel. From having to carry vaccination documents and negative COVID 19 reports to mandatory travel insurance online in various countries, there is a whole new catalogue of information that a traveller now needs to be aware of before they set out.

How Has Covid-19 Changed Traveling?

To contain the spread of COVID 19, governments the world over imposed restrictions on the movement of both international and domestic travellers from February 2019. Taking the utmost precautions such as wearing masks, avoiding crowded places, and getting vaccinated have emerged as the most effective strategy in our collective fight against COVID 19.  With the waxing and waning of COVID 19’s first and second waves, the rules regarding these travel restrictions too are continually modified. This leaves many travellers confused about the status of the latest travel-related regulations. Read on to learn more about travel recommendations for various kinds of travel and to various destinations.

Travel Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated Travelers

There are a lot of recommendations for people travelling to various countries. There are also advisories for people travelling within India and for those travelling abroad. Below are some of the most common travel recommendations for each kind of travel. However, you are advised to always check the latest travel advisories issued by your destination country before travelling.

To Travel Abroad:

Before Travel 

• ●Fully vaccinated passengers are asked to enclose the vaccination documents with their passports. You may be denied entry if you fail to carry these documents.

• ●You should carry a negative test report of COVID 19 taken before 3 days of the travel date.
• ●If you were affected by COVID 19 in the past three months, you should have a record of recovery from COVID 19 before catching the flight.
• ●Some countries have put in place mandatory requirements for carrying travel insurance with COVID 19 coverage as a precondition to entry. Check if your destination country has such a requirement. Even if it doesn’t, it is always better to have a good travel insurance policy handy.

During Travel 

• ●Covering up your whole face using a face shield is mandatory while travelling by air.
• ●Make sure you wear your masks and face shield throughout the journey.

After Travel

• ●After reaching your destination, take a COVID 19 test after 3 - 5 days.
• ● If you develop any  COVID symptoms, make sure to quarantine yourself.
• ●It is mandatory to follow all the protocols issued by your destination country when you step out.  

To Travel Within India :

• Before Travel 

  • ●Go through the latest protocols issued by the government of the state you are visiting and follow the specified timings for travel. Several states still have certain restrictions on night and early morning travel.
  • ●Make yourself familiar with the regulations issued for travelling in state transport buses, railways, and other forms of public transport.
  Always arrive a little earlier at the ports or stations to make sure you have ample time to go through the checking procedures. Some checking procedures may take longer than usual due to COVID 19.

• During Travel 

  • ●Covering up your whole face using a face mask or shield is mandatory while travelling by air.
  • ● Wear your masks and face shield throughout the journey.  
  • ●If you need printouts of your tickets, It is always better to take them in or near your house rather than taking them at airports or railway stations that may be crowded.

  After Travel 

  • ●Follow the guidelines issued by the authorities in the place you are visiting. 
  • ●In case you experience any symptoms of COVID 19, make sure you self-quarantine.

  Travel Recommendations for Unvaccinated Travelers

  Getting vaccinated is very important, especially for travellers. If however, you haven’t been vaccinated yet, but still want to travel, follow these precautions:

  To Sum Up

  It is now evident that it will be a while before we can return to the normal state of affairs that existed before the onset of COVID 19. In such an event, the best course of action to go about our daily activities, including travel,  is to follow all the regulations and precautions set down by the authorities concerned. Make sure you get yourself and your family vaccinated at the earliest, in case you haven’t done so already. It is also advisable to get a good travel insurance online policy with COVID 19 coverage such as the one by HDFC ERGO to protect yourself and your family from the financial costs of COVID 19 treatment while travelling. 

  Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

   

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  • How do I manage business travel during COVID-19?
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