As you travel abroad during the covid-19 pandemic, your travel agency must encourage you to check on the country’s restrictions and rules. You will also need to take measurements to keep everybody in your fleet safe.
Before you proceed, it does not hurt to check the red flags below to help you avoid any pitfalls or loopholes in your trip later.
Not using precautions
Some people who claim to be “spontaneous” have a mindset of “surprise me” when traveling. Well, it was great to see a lot of surprises in the new destinations. But this mindset won’t work during this pandemic event. Since every country has strict covid-19 protocols to follow, not factoring in these precautions will be a pitfall. Make sure to evaluate the precautionary level for your comfort and safety. You also need to educate your travel mates about the particular precautions.
Not taking the Covid-19 test before traveling
It is a huge NO-No. You don’t want to leave any individual at the airport just because they didn’t take the covid-19 test before flying. It is important to take a test 72 hours before your boarding time. Most countries mandate travelers to show a negative test certificate.
The rule of thumb is to have a test two mornings before you hit the airport.
Choosing the wrong destinations
You might be happy that you can take your leave with your family and friends. And then, you start adding to your list of destinations. Adding too numerous countries to your itinerary is the last thing you want to do. It is safer to stick to one or two countries. Also, consider if your destination has good achievements in handling the coronavirus spread.
Narrow your destination to only one or two. Equip yourself with the information from the country’s government website. See the important information like travel bans, entry requirements, protocols, and so on. Although your travel agency could explain these things to you, it is much better to do your homework too.
Leave the reservations unchecked
Have you heard about the stories of travelers who lost thousands of dollars because of their canceled trips? The sad truth is that the insurance didn’t cover it.
You must dig deeper for the information through a trusted source. Pick the right airline. Read their cancellation policies thoroughly before proceeding. Update yourself with the news about the country you want to visit.
Doing the paperwork physically
You are probably amongst those people who are used to filling out paperwork before flying. Well, it worked back then. But during the pandemic, it is not the wisest choice for you. Not only is it risky to fill out paperwork in public, it also wastes your time and money. The best way to do this is to fill them out in advance, then print them by yourself. Make three copies and fill them out. Give the original form to the officials.
Protocols in each country can be different. So, make sure you research deeply before going to a particular country.