12 May 9 Things To Keep In Mind When Traveling In A Post-COVID World

How difficult is it to imagine a “Post-COVID World” when we’ve adapted to a completely new way of living? I struggle to think about it myself. But that is where we’re heading. With vaccines on the rise, and restrictions on the decline, we’re beginning to see what a post-COVID world might actually look like, and it isn’t too bad.

That vacation you’ve been dying to go on since you planned it in 2019 – pack your suitcase! That wedding you’ve postponed eight times can finally happen in all its glory. But, in all seriousness, COVID has reshaped the way we think, act, and live, whether we like it or not. Just because things are reopening, does not mean that COVID won’t still be around – it just won’t be as noticeable.

Even before the pandemic, sicknesses and illnesses were all around us, we just weren’t as aware of those germs as we are now. The flu, the common cold, strep throat, and mononucleosis are all examples of illnesses that constantly exist around us that we’ve simply turned a blind eye to because we have ways of treating them. In a Pre-COVID world, an airline tray table was twelve times more germ-infested than your toilet seat at home, and an airline seat belt buckle was eight time more germ-infested than your own cell phone. These things existed before COVID and no one took any notice! So with that in mind, we’re put together some points to keep in mind when you do start to venture out and travel again.

Side note: check what restrictions may apply to you, using this handy COVID-19 travel advisor from our friends at Expedia #notasponsor

9 Things To Keep In Mind When Traveling In A Post-COVID World

Be Vigilant During Security Screenings

Traveling is meant to be exciting, but nothing puts a dampener on your trip like arriving at your destination and not feeling your best. Luckily, there are ways you can avoid this. Most people don’t think twice about their ID or passport that gets checked when going through security. However, the TSA agent checking your ID – he’s touched multiple people’s IDs before yours.

IDs and passports are some of the most germ-infested things we own as they are held by so many people other than ourselves. Getting a passport holder can help eliminate the direct contact with the ID, as well as make wiping it down and disinfecting it easier.

It can also be hard to remember when going through security that the boxes used to put your personal belongings in have been touched by hundreds, if not thousands, of people before you. Remembering to do a quick wipe down of both your hands and items after passing through security will save you from contracting a significant amount of germs. SterilStay travel kits each individually hold three.

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Keep Practicing Social Distancing

Although social distancing might prove difficult while on planes or other public transportation, you should still practice it in a post-COVID world. Traveling, while amazing, also exposes you to many different people and illnesses. In order to avoid falling ill while on your trip, it is best to put some distance between you and the people around you. That doesn’t mean completely alienating yourself from others, but rather putting a few extra feet in between yourselves while interacting. If you do go to a heavily populated area where you find it hard to socially distance yourself, make sure to sanitize thoroughly before eating or drinking. 

Do Some Of Your Own Spring Cleaning At Your Accommodation

Staying in a nice hotel, hostel, or Airbnb can make or break your trip. And although these places may seem clean, more often than not, they’re lacking in cleanliness. Before COVID, an average 3 Star hotel was actually found to be more clean that your average 5 Star hotel. Utilizing certain items can make your experience and stay much more enjoyable.

In the SterilStay hotel kit, a remote control protection cover is offered. Often the remote control is not sanitized by housekeeping (despite it being one of the most touched and used objects in the entire room). Placing it in a plastic bag keeps you from having to touch the actual remote itself, whilst still being able to use it. Slippers are also a necessity, as often the floors are unswept and unwashed before the next round of guests arrive.

Wiping down the bathroom sink, bedside tables, mini fridge, and dresser will help to make the room much cleaner than how it appears, and the sanitary wipes found in the hotel kit are for this exact purpose. The wipes also include aloe so as not to dry out your skin like some other generic wipes on the market.

Take Advantage Of The Crowd-less Sites (While They Are Still Crowd-less)

Chances are, that if you travel to a popular destination in the near future, it will not be as crowd-filled as before. Use the opportunity now to visit those bucket-list-worthy locations, whose tourism industries not only rely heavily on visitors (and could really use your support after all this time without tourists), but it’ll also mean that you’ll have less people to compete with now for that epic llama Machu Picchu selfie, or photo next to the Trevi fountain in Rome.

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Admire Without Touching

Whilst traveling, it is also important to be mindful of what you touch. Souvenirs are no doubt fun and charming to look at, but you’re the first of many to pick up that keychain or magnet without even realizing it.

Spreading germs from object to hand, and later, hand to face, is the quickest way to catch an illness. It is important to remember that you can admire without touching. If you do decide to buy something, make sure to wipe down both your hands and the object afterwards. Although such things may seem obsessive, it is the best possible way to avoid getting sick while on your trip, and enjoy it to the fullest.

Make Your Airplane Seat Yours

Many people believe that it’s not about the destination, but rather the journey, and I wholeheartedly agree. Flying and experiencing the excitement of getting to your final destination are some of the most thrilling parts of traveling. In a post-COVID world, this will ring even louder. However, a post-COVID world means that middle seats will once again be occupied by others while flying, masks will become more scarce as restrictions lift, and social distancing will be a thing of the past. That’s why it’s important to continue to keep yourself safe and healthy to the best of your ability. Wiping down armrests, tray tables, and seat belt buckles should be second nature by now, and it is certainly something you should continue to do while traveling post-COVID.

Using a tray table cover (like the one found in the SterilStay travel kit), allows you to eliminate nearly all germs, by covering the tray entirely. The tray table cover also doubles up as a seat pocket protection cover. It opens to allow you to put your items inside, which eliminates the need for your personal belongings to touch the seat in front of you. Using such techniques while traveling will decrease the amount of germs you come into contact with, thereby making your journey a more enjoyable one. 

Patience, Patience, Patience

There’s never been a better time to practice patience. You can be sure that every aspect of travel that took long in the past, will take double the time in a post-COVID world. Queuing at the airport, security screen checks, buying train tickets, and checking in at your hotel or Airbnb will more than likely take a lot longer, so you’ll need to be prepared for that. Arrive earlier, leave sooner, and maybe download some extra podcasts to keep you entertained. It might also be the best time to finally convert to doing things online and ahead of your trip – your planet will thank you for it too.

Use Reputable Travel Companies

While we’re on the topic of switching to doing things online, it’s worth mentioning that a lot of the big, reputable travel companies have been hard at work during this down time to ensure a post-COVID world is as streamlined and user-friendly as possible. Many are offering you the chance to cancel upcoming travel and postpone your trips (if you need to) so protect yourself while we ride the wave of on-and-off lockdowns globally, and book through the company that understands the situation and is willing to protect you.

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Cherish Every Little Moment

Finally, although we are all excited to get back to some sense of normalcy, it is important to recognize that COVID-19 is only one of multiple illnesses that you can contract whilst traveling. In order to enjoy your experience, it’s important to protect yourself against all diseases. Most importantly, while doing everything you can to stay healthy, remember to take in everything around you: the sights, the museums, the food. Traveling is a luxury that was momentarily taken away. Now that we can start traveling again, remember to cherish every second of it and make it count.

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