For many of us, it is a sense of wanderlust, an opportunity to try new things, experience new cultures, and simply enjoy it. You may also need to for work, education, or to visit friends and family. Perhaps you have a job offer that takes you across the country to a place you have never visited before. The reasons for travel are endless and unique to each person. The reasons for my most recent trip stemmed from a slightly different turn of events. As you may easily assume, the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a hard hit for the travel industry and at the beginning of 2020 I found myself in the same boat as hundreds of my colleagues, quickly jobless. It was a hard hit at the time, and I hope that one day soon I will be able to join the industry again. Soon afterwards, an idea was presented to me. One that brought me across the Atlantic for two months during the midst of a worldwide pandemic.
Why I chose to travel
I would like to start by noting that I am aware of how extremely fortunate I am to be able to take a trip such as this with the resources available to me. You might be wondering how it was even possible for someone to travel to another country with all of the current restrictions. I am also fortunate to be a citizen of the UK which allows me the opportunity to return at any time. A lot of my family still remains in England and my Grandmother, a globetrotter herself, resides in a small coastal town, north of London. She lives alone and typically takes off jet-setting to India to stay amongst friends in order to escape the colder months in the UK. As she was no longer able to take her annual trip, I felt that I could provide some much-needed company to take her mind off things. On a slightly more morbid note, one of the many lessons I have learnt during this turbulent year, is not to take life for granted. This is a phrase we hear all too often, however, this year has really shown me the truth of it. During my childhood I was fortunate to spend a lot of quality time with my Grandma during her summer visits to the U.S. As I pondered on our relationship, I came to realize that I have not had the same opportunity as an adult. With school, work, and commitments, I have barely spent time with her in the past few years. What I am trying to say is, you should always grasp the opportunity to see your family when you can, especially as we become adults.
While I took some time to work out my next career step and explore the opportunity of furthering my education, I realized that this could all be done overseas. Deciding to travel during a pandemic is not a decision I would take lightly. I spent quite some time deciding whether this would be socially responsible, safe, and even enjoyable. In the end, I decided that this opportunity that lay in front of me was not something I would typically find, and I cautiously jumped into it.
Restrictions and precautions
If you have considered taking a trip in the past few months you may already be aware that there are several restrictions in place to decrease the spread of COVID-19. Many countries require a two-week quarantine upon arrival, in addition some also require a negative COVID test. Before, during, and after my two-month trip, I made sure to follow country specific guidelines and added in my own precautions as well. Before I left for the UK, I proactively participated in social distancing for a minimum of two weeks and limited the people I saw and the places I went. Before boarding my flight, I completed a contract tracing form with the details for my Airbnb accommodation. I chose to take a direct flight in order to avoid both an additional airport and the risk of another flight full of new passengers. Masks were fully worn throughout the flight and only taken off briefly to eat and drink. I was fortunate to have empty seats to the front, back, and sides of me which put a good few feet between myself any other passengers. Upon arrival, I was restricted to using public transport, so I was very careful to leave my mask on at all times, sanitize often and avoid sitting too close to other passengers when possible. Once I made it to my accommodation, I buckled down for two weeks of isolation, only stepping outdoors to make a quick trip to the grocery store which I chose to do when I expected it to be most quiet.
Once I was able to see my Grandma, I made my way to her flat, about an hour's bus ride north. The small costal town she calls home, is also home to many other seniors. During the summer months, families flock to the area to enjoy the sandy beaches and cool water. However, in the autumn and winter the permanent residents are left to the peace and quiet. I knew that during my visit, I would be spending a lot of time with people who were at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19 with more serious consequences. In order to keep my Grandma safe and protect the friends she kept in her social bubble, I made sure to stay cautious and vigilant throughout my trip. When I returned home, I followed the same guidelines I took before leaving the U.S. Upon return, I quarantined for 72 hours before taking a mail-in COVID test. Once I received a negative result, I was able to resume my normal home and outdoor activities, socially distanced of course.
What do I recommend?
Travel during a global pandemic is something I would urge everyone to take seriously. As I am sure we can all agree, each person will have their own reasons for choosing to travel. Only you can be the judge of whether it is worth the risk. If you do choose to travel, there are a few things I would advise you to consider in order to minimize the risk to yourself and those around you. Instead of taking your short weekend adventure across state, I would suggest making it a longer vacation and some countries or states will even require a two-week quarantine upon arrival which will make your decision simpler. The reason I suggest an extended stay, is the ability to track your health and if you do become sick, you may be able to avoid putting others at risk. In an ideal situation you would receive a test before you depart, upon arrival, and again on the return. However, not everyone will be afforded this opportunity. As an alternative, I would suggest utilizing a combination of quarantine and testing. I took this route in my own travels, which I have outlined above. When you board a flight, you are placing yourself at risk by traveling through airports and spending an extended amount of time in a confined place. The reason I took these precautions was to avoid exposure during my travel that could be passed on to my destination.
There are quite a few aspects of traveling during a pandemic that you may not expect and should be prepared for. In order to follow precautions while travelling, be prepared to spend more. If you feel more comfortable avoiding public transport, you will need to factor in the cost of car rentals or taxis/uber/ride share. If you are visiting friends and family, you may need to quarantine until you receive your negative test results or for a full two weeks. Be prepared to add room to your budget for this additional accommodation. Be prepared to spend time alone. A two-week isolation can be taxing on some and should not be taken lightly. Finally, be prepared to find different levels of precautions and safety measures in each destination. Each country, each city each town, and even stores and restaurants will handle precautions slightly differently. Be prepared to face the fact that there may be places where you do not feel comfortable and have to remove yourself from the situation.
Perhaps you have read through this and have decided that travel is not going to be plausible for you. What now?
After a year or unknowns and fears, we are finally making headway on a COVID-19 vaccine. Based on current news alerts, I am hopeful that we will begin to have access to the new vaccine by late spring. If you are unable to take the suggested safety precautions, I urge you to wait a little longer and get yourself vaccinated before resuming your long-awaited travel plans. Still need something to help you subdue your wanderlust? Plan! Take this time away from social commitments and events to plan your next adventure. I recently planned a full two-week itinerary to Iceland with a friend for a road trip (hopefully) soon. I can honestly say that I have loved taking the time to do my own research and nail down the perfect itinerary. Ultimately, I wish for you to keep the hope alive! To say that this year has been a struggle for many of us would be an understatement. Although it seemed off at times, I know that we will all be able to get back out to our adventuring and traveling soon. In the meantime, we need to keep our health and safety at the forefront of our minds and remember that we are not only protecting ourselves and our loved ones, but also those who work endlessly to protect and help us when we are on our last legs. To all the healthcare providers who have worked during this pandemic, thank you.
To my readers, if you have made it this far, you have taken time out of your day to listen to what I have to say and I appreciate that very much. Despite the recommendations to stay home, a large portion of the population has chosen to continue to travel for their own reasons. I am aware of how fortunate I have been to take this trip and I hope that my experience may encourage you to take your travel plans more cautiously.
Cheers
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