Travel Tips during Pandemic

Romar Fernando

March 17, 2021

• It has been a year that the Philippine government enforced certain policies to curve the spread of COVID-19.

  And as we all know, cases of infections are still soaring up now that we are exposed to several variants of the virus, with complacency of the people, with the loosened travel restrictions domestically and internationally, and most probably with the crawling and inept response of the country against the wrath of the pandemic.

  With the relaxed travel restrictions and the advent of the dry season in the country, we must be advised and be guided of certain precautions in order to balance leisure and safety along the way.

  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States of America have some tips for travelers amid the ongoing pandemic.

  WEIGH AND PLAN THE DECISION TO TRAVEL

  

  Photo Courtesy: The National

  It is important to plan and look into the situation before going to your destination.

  The CDC warned from the start that if someone in the family is sick or been exposed to a COVID-19 positive, suspend your travel immediately.

  It is also relevant to know the rate of transmission in your destination. “The more cases at your destination, the more likely you are to get infected during travel and spread the virus to others when you return,” the CDC said.

  Locally, travelers should know if the local government (LGU) of your destination has certain border entry requirements such as negative RT-PCR results with certifications, or travel permit from the LGU of origin.

   

  SAFEGUARD THE HUMANS

  

  Photo Courtesy: CNN Philippines

  For every travel, the safety of all passengers is an ultimate thing.

  Of course, travelers should prepare the vehicle in advance. The efficiency of the vehicle will prevent the driver and the passengers from having close contact to anyone else whenever they encounter serious vehicle problems along the way.

  It is important as well to plan the route and stop overs. Here in our country, with the numerous granular lockdowns being implemented in communities, just know where to traverse smoothly in order not to prolong travel time. Quick stop overs should be done to avoid any contact from locals along the route. Try not to stop.

  Prepare an emergency kit. Fill it with extra supplies of face masks, sanitizers, medicines, first aid articles, and vitamins, if there’s any. Be picky about the mask and wear it properly. Make it a habit to sanitize everything you touch such as door handles and knobs of bathrooms and flush handles of toilets.

  Another thing during the trip is to keep the windows cracked. “If you’re going to have the air conditioning or the heater on be sure that you don’t have the recirculating option selected so you’re breathing the same air. You want fresh outside air to enter the car,” said Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Wear masks if you travel with somebody outside your household.

   

  CHOOSE HOTEL CAREFULLY

  

  Photo Courtesy: CNN Philippines

  According to experts, it is better to book a hotel room with outdoor access. What the experts are concerned is the air quality that will envelope and flow in and outside of the room. It must be ensured as well that the room should have its own air conditioning unit that there’s no exchange of air from other rooms and facilities.

  Make sure that the room is vacant at least 24 hours from the time of accommodation to guarantee that it’s been disinfected, linens and beddings were replaced with new ones, and the whole facility was thoroughly cleaned.

  When you get to the room wipe down door handles, light switches, remote controls and bathroom fixtures with disinfecting wipes before using them.

   

  HAVE A DINING PLAN

  

  Photo Courtesy: Hotels

  Dining on location can be a high risk of contracting the virus. As we can remember, the first transmissions of then novel coronavirus was inside an air-conditioned restaurant in Guangzhou, China were three family clusters were involved.

  “You have to have good ventilation in that bar or restaurant. And since I can’t wear a mask while I’m eating, I’m just avoiding indoor restaurants until this is over,” said Linsey Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech, in USA.

  Getting takeout, utilizing delivery services, and drive throughs are better options.

  “I think the six feet indoors is not enough by itself and panels protect against large droplets, but they do not protect against aerosols,” Marr added.

   

  TAKE PRECAUTIONS UPON ARRIVAL

  

  Photo Courtesy: Manila Bulletin

  Experts suggest that we should not rely on our negative test results days before travel. So, if happens that you’ve arrive to your destinations, take necessary precautions: masking, distancing, and sanitizing.

  “If we’re irresponsible for a short-term gain through the holidays, it really can come back and bite us weeks later with an expansion of cases. And cases lead to hospitalizations and hospitalizations lead to death.” Allen warned.

  Let us all be responsible. Keep safe and sound!

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