How has travel changed in the COVID world?

Life has changed a lot since the pandemic hit the world last year. We all are aware that there is no aspect of life that hasn’t been affected by COVID. That includes travel as well. Before COVID, planning for a vacation roughly consisted of – fixing a budget, booking flight (حجز طيران) and finding a hotel. In today’s COVID-era, there is the added aspect of choices based on the kind of precautions taken by the airlines and the hotel at this time. As I witness life around me gradually crawl back to normal, it gives me hope that soon everything in life, travel included, would go back to being how it was. Until then, though, travel with caution is perhaps the right mantra.

Life during this pandemic has been tough on all. I don’t know about you, but it took me a lot of time to again start doing the things I used to in a heartbeat before the pandemic. From ordering in food to eating out at restaurants, both felt like a huge step, after months of being cooped up at home, trying to stay as far away as possible from the outside world. But it also felt liberating as if experiencing those joys for the first time once again. The only difference this time around was a mask and sanitiser in tow.

Things that need to be kept in mind while travelling during COVID in 2021. #TravelDuringPandemic #TravelTips Share on X

Like most of the people around us, we haven’t been anywhere in the past year. Our trip to Goa last year had to be cancelled during the lockdown, and after that, we have stayed put in Bangalore. It certainly was disappointing, a much-awaited trip getting cancelled, but it was also the right thing to do at that point. Now that slowly life is trudging back to normal, we have finally gathered up some courage to travel. Well, with precautions, that is. I think the operative word here is responsible-travel. Initially, there were inhibitions, but when we saw friends and family making the trips, it gave us some courage. As long as we follow the safety rules, the hope is, things should be fine. But it has to be a collective responsibility too. Travel has changed, and it is for us to make sure it stays safe for us.

So, which are the things that need to be kept in mind while travelling during COVID in 2021?

Keep the Mask On

It’s not so hard. If children have learnt to live with masks, I don’t understand what stops us, adults, from being slightly uncomfortable while ensuring everyone’s safety, including ours. So, travel but do not forget the masks.

Keep the Sanitiser Handy

The other thing that is a must is the sanitiser. It’s pretty simple. Use the sanitiser, wash your hands with soap and keep germs at bay.

Be Mindful of the destination you choose

If there are medical travel advisories about the place you are visiting, you must know that. Travel to a destination that is considered safe.

Avoid crowded places

There are places you can travel to where you don’t need to mix with the crowd. Even the resorts or hotels you choose, make sure to pick those with COVID safety regulations in place.

Be Responsible

You can travel during COVID as long as you ensure you follow all the rules. Remember, while you might be travelling for leisure, the frontline workers are still putting their lives on the line to treat people like you and me. So, the least you and I can do is be responsible.

As long as we keep these points in mind, it should arm us for travel in this new era where pandemics might be a strange reality. A friend who recently travelled for work on Qatar Airways (الخطوط الجوية القطرية) told us how she was dreading travelling again due to the pandemic, but with safety precautions in place, she took the first step, followed all the rules and is still safe. She said it was a different experience from any travel before the pandemic, but the new normal was perhaps a step towards going back to what once was.

So, perhaps, on my tenth wedding anniversary this year, I won’t be going to Mauritius as planned. But maybe, I’ll end up going to someplace closer in India. I keep telling myself, one step at a time. Let’s start with booking flight and move on from there. Let’s start with making a note of the steps to minimise the risk before taking that leap of faith. The mantra should be to travel responsibly after taking the utmost care.

What do you say?

All Picture Credits: Nabanita Dhar