We say ‘post-Covid’ like it’s over, even though we know it’s still very much a part of our lives. Travel has changed somewhat, from what you remember. It’s a lot less carefree. There’s a lot more paperwork. And it can be a lot more stressful, so it helps to be prepared, and do your research. With that in mind, here are four things to remember before you wheel out your suitcase and hop on that plane over the festive season.
- Flight changes and/or refunds
With countries changing the rules almost weekly it seems, on who can and cannot enter their borders, it makes sense to book flights that offer at least one free change, or the chance to get a voucher and reuse the funds in future. Change is the only constant at the moment, and the last thing you want is to hear that your destination is changing the entry requirements or banning incoming flights outright – and you’ve lost all that money (not to mention your holiday – sob!).
- Get the right travel insurance
Having comprehensive medical cover abroad is more essential now than ever. Imagine you fall ill in a foreign country (with Covid-19 or something else) and have to fund your medical cover all from your own pocket? Not all medical cover is equal though, so read the fine print carefully. Bear in mind that your Rands may not go as far when translated into Euros for example, and check if your cover only includes repatriation, or if it also includes medical expenses. Some medical aid companies offer travel insurance for free, like Fedhealth does through Sanlam Reality Access, giving members R5 million worth of international travel insurance.
- Check the vaccination, testing & entry requirements closely
Again, this is something that changes weekly. Some countries only require that you show proof of vaccination (check if paper copies suffice or if you need a QR code), while others require this proof along with a PCR test, or a rapid antigen test. These two tests also have different time validities, and you have to take your flight times and arrival times into account, so you don’t fall outside of these timeframes. Also check on the requirements of children – in some countries, kids under the age of 12 don’t require any vaccinations or tests, and in other countries the age limit is different. Some countries also require health questionnaires and passenger location forms to be completed – your airline will typically provide this information to you before you fly.
- Don’t forget hygiene protocols
Because we’ve all been locked down, we’ve been protecting ourselves from all the bugs out there (Covid-19 aside). So when you travel again, bear in mind that your body is suddenly going to be exposed to new environments, which can bring with them the possibility of new germs etc. Try to be vigilant with your hygiene protocols, wearing your mask, washing and sanitising your hands, and staying 1.5m from other people where it is possible. After all, you don’t want to arrive at your destination and then be stuck indoors ill.
