Traveling with a group of friends or with family spells fun and excitement. However, it does come with several disadvantages especially during this time of the pandemic. There are things, though, that you can do to give yourself and your group peace of mind when you are traveling together. Below are some of them.
Avail Insurance
Purchasing group insurance is a cost-effective and convenient way to ensure that your group is protected from untoward events during your travel. This type of insurance often costs less than individual policies. It also offers comprehensive benefits and may cover some of the most common concerns, such as trip interruption, loss of baggage, trip cancellation, travel delays, medical emergencies, medical evacuation, damaged baggage, and stolen luggage to name a few. Group policies for travel may differ from those given by businesses to their employees, so if you have coverage at work, you may still have to purchase another coverage meant specifically for travel purposes.
Know the Health of the People You Are Traveling With
Even if the people you are traveling with are your friends or some family members, you still need to make sure that you are traveling only with healthy people. This will minimize your risk of getting into problems related to COVID-19. For safer travel, encourage everyone in your group to have themselves tested for the virus before you go on with your travel plans. Additionally, make sure that no one in your group has had physical contact with a person found to be positive of the virus.
Plan Your Itinerary Well
Have a solid plan of where you want to go during your travel. Make sure that your planned destinations are already accepting tourists and visitors and that they have a lower case of the virus in their area. These days, most tourist destinations are close although there are still quite a few who are willing to take in visitors, albeit with limitations. Research the ongoing restrictions of each area first before including any destination in your itinerary. Likewise, always be ready to change plans and itineraries in case there would be changes in the protocols of the areas you are about to visit. Additionally, do not forget to include the quarantine periods in your plans. Most cities still require out-of-towners to undergo self-quarantine for a few days before they can explore the area. Finally, be flexible with your schedule and be ready to cancel your trip any time at a moment’s notice in case the destination you plan to visit becomes a hotspot or if someone in your group falls ill.
Have Cleaning Supplies Ready
Alcohol, wet wipes, hand wash, antibacterial body mists, disinfectants — all these must be readied before you travel and brought with you wherever you go. You should also bring with you extra face masks and encourage the other people in the group to do the same.
Keep Your Distance from Other People
Even if you will be traveling with known friends or family members, remember to keep your distance from them when traveling. Most of all, keep your distance from other travelers, particularly those who are not part of your group. You never know who has the virus so it would be good to be wary of everyone around you.
Use a Spacious Vehicle
If you are going on a road trip and not taking any flights, make sure to book only spacious vehicles if you are going to rent. If you are taking your own car, make sure that there would be enough room for everyone despite social distancing protocols. If your group is too large to fit in one vehicle, you may want to split the group and ask others to bring their own cars as well. Long drives can be extremely tiring and allowing everyone to fit in a small car can be very uncomfortable.
Consider Driving Instead of Flying
Both have their pros and cons. Airplanes can take you to places quickly but it may be more dangerous because there would be lots of other unfamiliar people traveling with you inside the plane. Cars can take longer to reach your destination, but it would just only be you and your group, which make them a safer alternative.
Finally, ask yourself first if traveling is worth it during the pandemic. With all the restrictions and the dangers of contracting the virus, traveling might not be a good decision in the meantime.