COVID-19 and travel: Where do we stand at the end of 2020 as a traveller?

Finally, it is the end of 2020, and we are going to enter in a new decade. We are still living very much with the pandemic. COVID-19, the virus that shook the world taking so many lives is yet existing right between us. But the world that came to a standstill nine months back started to move on. People are now literally screaming for that pre-pandemic life. Industries trying to accelerate hard to compensate their lost growth in the last three quarters. Travel and tourism sector is trying to recover from its bedridden state. And travellers are starting to hit the road again. But are we reacting over smart? Will be the situation far worse in the coming year? Where do we stand at the end of 2020?

What is COVID-19

We know that ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease and as the disease was first detected in 2019; it is called COVID-19. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets and airborne particles formed when a person infected with COVID-19 virus, coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes. Warm weather and temperature do not affect its spread much, and it becomes a part of our community.

The coronavirus that was novel one year back is not new anymore. It already showed us the devastation it is capable of. And we all know that it is not just another coronavirus that exists between us for years and causes mild illness like a common cold.

Although trials are going hard to come up with a magic pharmaceutical drug that can kill the virus, the disease mainly has supportive treatment. So, the best way to combat this nasty warrior is by using preventive measures – practice social distancing, wear a mask and take care of your hygiene, especially hand hygiene. And we have to take extra care of our elderly family members and members with pre-existing medical conditions. Thus far, we all know.

The reality is still threatening

The impact of COVID-19 is still threatening. The pandemic is not over yet. And a large number of new cases are getting detected every day. The second wave of the pandemic already hit a few countries in Europe and the Americas. Although the fatality rate comes down by a large margin, considering the disease’s infectivity, the numbers are still very frightening. The weekly epidemiological update by WHO saying that there are nearly 4 million new cases and a quarter less than one lakh deaths every week in the last month of 2020. And while I am writing this article, India had crossed the milestone of 1crore COVID-19 cases, 10% of which is in December only, although we have achieved a declining trend in the incidence of the new cases. So, by no means, the pandemic is over yet.

But we are hopeful, the vaccine is here

The Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine had already got approval for emergency use in countries like USA, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Switzerland and a few other countries. The Moderna vaccine has completed its phase III trial and is on the verge of getting emergency use approval. Russia and China had already mass using their own COVID-19 vaccines. So, somewhere in the next year and a half, we can sense the end of the pandemic.

Meantime the second wave is already in swing

A large part of Europe is under lock-down again following the second wave’s sweep in the continent. A new strain emerged in the UK, which again created new challenges and arose new questions like whether this strain is more devastating, does infection with the old strain protects from the new one, and whether the vaccine would be helpful against the new strain.

So, during next year things are going to be more challenging, and prevention strategies may change. While the behaviour of the population at large will not be the same anymore and restrictions will loosen up with time especially with the availability of more and more vaccines while we march towards natural immunity, our interaction with the virus and the new strain, in particular, is going to be a deciding factor in the future for sure.

Where to travel during covid-19

You can not stay home for an indefinite period, but you can not expose yourself to unwanted risks. So, choosing a destination is the most crucial factor at this point-of-time. I would appreciate if you can concentrate more on domestic travel rather than flying abroad. Check local guidelines for travellers before you book your dates and also notice the current COVID-19 scenario there. You can use this “COVID-19 Travel Recommendation by Destination” by CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) for your reference regarding risk assessment level for Covid-19.

COVID-19 travel map

Before you start to make your booking, look at this travel regulations map by IATA that will give an idea regarding the recent guidelines and regulations laid by your destination country.

COVID-19 travel restrictions

Countries are opening borders for travellers and easing out the regulations to attract more international tourists. While most countries are lifting the restrictions, some countries still choose to keep their boundaries closed. The last report on travel restrictions by UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) shows that as of 1st November, 152 countries opened their borders for tourism while 59 countries had not opened it yet. European countries followed by the Americas and Africa continued to ease travel restrictions while countries in Asia and Pacific countries continue with their strict regulations and borders closed.

When it will be safe to travel again

Officially, travel will only be safe when your country’s health regulation board and the World Health Organization (WHO) will give a green light that the pandemic is over. The availability of vaccine will end it eventually, but the time is long ahead to come. Till then, travelling will always be a risky proposition. And the best way not to flirt with COVID-19 is staying home.

So, while you take your decision in this tough time that whether you should travel or not, let me tell you a couple of things to consider. There is no uniform risk or safety for every individual. The chances vary depending on age, co-morbidities and region you reside or going to visit. Although specialists say that you can consider travelling to places where the case positivity rate is less than 1%, they will not tell you that it means you are safe. Although many people are travelling every day, that does not make you safe too. So, it would be best if you outweighed the risk for yourself and your travel team members before you choose to travel again. Do seek the advice from your family physician who can always guide you better.

International travel restrictions

In the meantime, when countries again tightening their travel restrictions following the new Covid strain emerge in the UK and some other parts worldwide, international travel will be uncertain again in coming months. Rules and regulations will change more frequently as the epidemiological trend change. Check your government advisory before you plan to travel abroad.

While India is growing its Air Bubble agreement and Vande Bharat Mission list with new countries, the country has also suspended all to and fro flights with Uk and a few other middle-east countries till the end of this year. By all possibilities, the restriction will be going to linger more. The travel and visa restrictions are eased out for overseas Indian citizens and foreign nationals willing to visit the country for all purposes except tourist visa. Check the updated Government of India travel advisories and Visa restrictions related to COVID-19 before you start planning.

Domestic travel restrictions in India

The 14-day quarantine rule for domestic travellers has been lifted in almost all states and union territories in India including Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. Before you travel, the mandatory COVID-19 testing is no longer needed except a few states, whereas night curfews are still going on in many popular tourist destinations. So, the situations are not stable yet, and stricter regulations could be imposed again at any moment. Till then, while India enjoys the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases, you can think of travellinng domestic following the standard health and hygiene practices and safety protocol.

COVID-19 travel advice laid by World Health Organization (WHO)

Pre-travel

• Research more about the place you are visiting – COVID-19 caseloads, local health guidelines and government travel advisories, nearest health facility including covid testing, safety standards by hotels and homestays, and public transport guidelines, entry and exit rules. Be wise while choosing your team.
• Read the cancellation policies of hotels and transportation carefully.
• Promote sustainable tourism
• Acquire some basic knowledge about COVID-19 like symptoms, diagnostic tests, guidelines about home isolation and home treatments and when to visit a hospital.
• Download and install essential travel apps including COVID-19 tracking app in your phone
• Consider buying travel insurance and check your existing medical insurance for COVID-19 treatment facilities.
• Consider COVID-19 testing even if local tourism guideline is not asking for it. Be sure that you are not spreading the virus too.

During travel

• Wear a face-mask.
• Practice frequent hand washing.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Maintain social distancing.
• Avoid crowds, more so while indoor.
• Stay in a place that maintains good hygiene and cleanliness.
• Carry a few basic medications / consult your physician before you travel.

Post travel

• Consider getting tested for COVID-19 even if you don’t have symptoms, 3-5 days after your trip. Consider avoiding non-essential work 7 days after testing, even the test result is negative. If the test is positive, follow the guidelines.
• And use all the precautions like wearing a face mask, frequent hand washing, social distancing for 14 days.
• Avoid being around people who did not travel with you, especially elderly family members or who have medical comorbidities.
• Watch your health, look for symptoms and measure temperature if you feel sick.

COVID-19 packing add-on checklist

• Face-mask
• Hand-sanitizer
• Hand soap
• Disinfectant sprays
• Disinfectant wipes
• Gloves
• Personal water bottle
• Small medkit
• Protective covers / Visors
• Health Insurance Card

Should you book your summer 2021 holiday now?

After all these prolonged discussions, the most practical question that may come to your mind in this scenario, is whether you will be able to travel in next summer? Well, it would be a premature thing to say that you will be safe to travel again by next summer in 2021. But in lights of this unrest and uncertainty in the tourism sector, you might also be able to get an absolute steal-deal which is a huge thing to consider. The discount and the flexibility in recent cancellation policies offered by hotels and airlines to attract its potential customers are too luring to be ignored.

So, why not book your summer holiday now? But before that, you should have a thorough fact-checking. Concentrate on one destination at a time. Always consider domestic travel over international travel. If you still wish to fly abroad, check the updated COVID-19 travel map first and see whether the country you plan to visit is safe to travel. Then check recent Covid-19 case trends and the case positivity rate in that country and if possible for the specific destinations you will visit. What are the recent guidelines that have been outlined by that destination for its travellers? Please read it in detail. And ensure whether you still need to quarantine for any specific days when you reach your destination or return home.

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