Travel would feel safer now than it did last year, with a growing number of people immunised against Covid-19.

But, if you travel as a fully vaccinated person, are you taking no risks? No, not quite. Here are three safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Is it safe to travel, or is it safer to take a trip closer to home?

That is dependent on the situation. There are two major considerations. The first is your level of immunisation. Unless you are severely immunocompromised, you are well-protected against Covid-19 if you are fully vaccinated, and I hope you will resume activities you enjoy, including international travel when borders reopen.

Those who are unvaccinated, on the other hand, should avoid unnecessary travel, whether domestic or international. If you are in a large crowd of people indoors, such as at an airport or train station, there are likely to be others who are unvaccinated as well. They will endanger you, and you will endanger them.

That is dependent on the situation. There are two major considerations. The first is your level of immunisation. Unless you are severely immunocompromised, you are well-protected against Covid-19 if you are fully vaccinated, and I hope you will resume activities you enjoy, including international travel when borders reopen.

Those who are unvaccinated, on the other hand, should avoid unnecessary travel, whether domestic or international. If you are in a large crowd of people indoors, such as at an airport or train station, there are likely to be others who are unvaccinated as well. They will endanger you, and you will endanger them.

Check your destination Covid-19 rates 

Whilst our international borders are still closed when they do open next year, it will be important to start by assessing the infection rate at your destination. Even if you’re fully vaccinated, chances of becoming ill are higher if you’re going to a Covid hotbed.

Public health departments of countries usually publish test positivity rates on their websites or log into Coronavirus Graphs: Worldwide Cases and Deaths – Worldometer (worldometers.info) which gives you individual countries and global numbers.

Seating out when eating in restaurants is safer

While experts warned last summer that eating out was risky, they now say it’s probably safe to do so, even if you haven’t been immunised.

Experts advise caution, especially if you live in a country with a high risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Choose carefully how you like to travel based on your destination

Car travel

Driving your car for a long-distance gives you more control over your surroundings and the people you meet outside. Even if you do this, you must still consider a number of factors before hitting the road. You must plan your few stops and keep as little contact with other people as possible. Pack the necessary items, such as face masks, hand sanitiser, and disinfectant wipes, and use them as needed throughout the trip.

Prepare food and water for your trip or buy it at restaurants that have a drive-thru. Include some non-perishable items to bring with you in case grocery stores or restaurants are not readily available.

Air travel 

Although it is said that viruses don’t spread easily on flights because the air circulation is safe and filtered inside the planes, crowded flights make social distancing difficult which makes more people exposed to viruses.

Hotels and accommodation

Since the pandemic began, the hotel industry acknowledged that travellers are concerned about the coronavirus and their safety. In choosing and booking your accommodation for a weekend trip, make sure that you choose a place that is not overcrowded. You can check if they practice the safety protocols for the guests in every area of the hotel. As a guest, follow the guidelines especially the social distancing measures at the lobby and front desk.

Using a mask is important upon entering any premises and make sure to always bring in your pocket enough sanitiser to use when necessary. If you can bring gloves to use it is also good to prevent touching any surface that is possible for any virus. Disinfect everything that you’re going to use and touch such as knobs, switches and use disposable items as much as possible to make sure that no one reuses anything other than you.

A good time is what we all want just like the old days 

Most of us feel the pent-up urge to travel. The pandemic has taken its toll on everyone, and we crave taking a trip.

It will probably take a while until you no longer feel “naked” without a mask, and you can’t relax immediately either. Relax, that’s normal. But if you’ve received two jabs, you can enjoy your trip. After holing up in your own four walls for more than a year, it’s about time you fed your passion for travelling again.