Although it appears as if things are opening up again soon, the process is obviously going to be a slow and steady one, and it is wise not to make too many big plans just yet that may not quite come to fruition. However, that is not to say that you are not going to be able to take a trip after the pandemic — indeed, it does look likely that we will be able to do this in 2021 at some point. So you may be wondering how to plan and what kind of things should you be aware of. Let’s take a look at some of the things to bear in mind as you plan for your first post-pandemic trip.
You should aim to get travel insurance even at the best of times, but it is especially important to do so when you can’t be fully certain about how likely you are to actually be able to go ahead with the trip, as is the case for any post-pandemic trips you will be planning right now. Frankly, you should make sure that you have insurance for any trip that you are planning to take, as otherwise you might end up losing out financially should the pandemic continue longer than expected or take a turn for the worse.
Also bear in mind that not all insurance is made equal. Some policies will be better than others, and you need to make sure that you are getting the best you can for your particular needs. Be sure to read the fine print, just in case it turns out that you are not covered for covid-related problems. Many policies will be time-sensitive in this regard, so you do need to double-check before buying the policy or the attached holiday.
Visit Sparsely Crowded Places
If you are wondering how to plan for your first post-pandemic trip, it is likely you will still have to think about social distancing to some degree or another if you travel this year, and maybe even next year. As such, it is going to make things easier for you and safer for everyone if you make a point of only visiting sparsely crowded places, as in those places you are obviously much less likely to spread the virus around. This might limit the kinds of places you can go, but that is worth it if it means avoiding extending the pandemic at all.
Get Vaccinated
When you have the chance to, you should aim to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, if you are able to. It is of course a matter of personal choice, but if you are vaccinated then you are in a better position on a number of fronts. For one thing, you will be able to go to more places and use more airlines and travel companies, as there is a chance that many of them will demand evidence of vaccination before allowing you to travel. At the same time, you will of course be protecting yourself from illness much more effectively. There is also a chance, and some evidence to suggest, that being vaccinated will help to reduce your likelihood of spreading the virus.
Consider A Staycation
One of the most common things that vacationers will probably be doing this coming couple of years is going on a staycation. The definition of what exactly this is varies slightly depending on who you ask, but essentially it is a kind of holiday where you don’t travel far from home — if you even leave the home at all. If you are wondering how you can make it a holiday if you don’t leave the home, it’s actually pretty straightforward, and some of the best staycation ideas are simple but attractive: spa days, hiking, visiting farmer’s markets, and so on.
Keep On Top Of Regulations
Remember that different places are responding wildly differently to covid and that restrictions vary quite a lot from place to place. If you are planning international travel, you need to therefore remain clued in when it comes to the regulations that you may have to follow. Not only will failing to do this mean that you might ruin your holiday plans, it could also land you in trouble if you break the law anywhere. So be sure to thoroughly research before you start planning the trip, and check again before you actually leave.
Practice Good Hygiene
Whatever you do end up doing for your first post-pandemic trip, you should always remember to practice good hygiene wherever possible, as this is going to continue to be important for quite a while yet. That means that you are still washing your hands frequently, keeping your face covered where necessary, and using hand sanitizer. You might want to pack a hygiene kit before you go, so you can make sure that you are able to practice good hygiene easily enough on your trip.
Be Prepared For Plans To Change
There is every chance that the plans will change at some point or another, so you should aim to be prepared for that as well as you can be. You might find that things change only a little or a lot, but either way it is important that you are ready for it. That doesn’t mean you can possibly predict what the change will look like, but you should nonetheless try to get mentally prepared for things to fall through, just in case that does happen. If nothing else, it will make it easier to deal with the disappointment if it happens.
Get Excited
Finally, be sure to try and get excited for your first post-pandemic trip. Chances are, this is one of the first things you are doing out of lockdown, and it is a sign of good things to come and better times ahead — so enjoy it! There is no reason not to get excited in the meantime, even if things change between now and then. No matter what, it looks as though you should be able to travel soon enough in the near future