Can’t wait to feed that travel bug? We can absolutely relate to that. After being in lockdown for months on end since 2020, we are all going slightly insane, but it seems like we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. As Malaysia slowly emerges from tight lockdown restrictions, travellers are starting to dream again of sandy beaches, city staycations and road trip adventures.

As you are making plans to hit the sky or the road, it might be worth taking a more cautious approach compared to the pre-COVID era, considering both your personal and public safety as much as possible. All travel comes with some risk of getting or spreading COVID-19, but with a little research and preparation, it is possible to travel safely during a pandemic.

Keep reading to discover tips that can help you stay safe and minimize risk to yourself and to the people around you.

1. Things to consider when planning your trip

First things first, the question you should be asking yourself — to travel or not to travel? To help answer that, here is a list of questions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to consider as you plan your next trip.

• Is COVID-19 spreading where you’re headed?
• Is COVID-19 spreading in your community?
• Will you or the people who you are traveling with be within six feet of others during or after your trip?
• Are the people who are traveling with you at high risk for COVID-19?
• Do you live with someone who is at high risk?
• Will the state or local government where you live require you to stay home for 14 days after traveling?
• If you get sick with COVID-19, will you have to miss work or other obligations?

It is totally fine if you want or need to travel, as long as you are smart about it. Pulmonary and critical care physician Joseph Khabbaza, MD says, “Despite still being in the midst of a pandemic, most of the things that we were doing before can still be done safely. It really is as simple as keeping our distance from others, keeping our hands clean and covering the parts of our body where respiratory droplets could enter or exit with a mask.”

2. Research the local area, requirements, restrictions and situations

Where is the nearest hospital? Are you required to download any contact tracing apps? (for Malaysia, it's MySejahtera) Are there any testing sites near your accommodation? How much does it cost to get tested? What are the contact numbers for your Embassy or High Commission in case of an emergency? A little research goes a long way.

Best practice is being on top of all the safety protocols before you travel, including vaccination, testing and quarantine requirements. It’s important to go in with your eyes open and prepared for the worst case scenario.

Travel restrictions are changing constantly and they vary from country to country. Depending on the country:

• You might only be eligible if you've had a certain vaccine approved by the country you're traveling to.
• You might need to quarantine in a hotel at your own expense before you're allowed to travel freely in the country.
• You might need to take a COVID-19 diagnostic test and receive a negative result before you're allowed to travel around the country. It could be required immediately upon arrival, within a short time frame after arrival, or within a short time frame before you get on the plane and depart your home country (or a test before you leave and when you land).
• You might not be allowed to enter if you've been to certain other countries recently.

Many countries still have curfews and limits on social gatherings. The best way to go about it is to check the official travel website for the country you're planning on flying to for up-to-date information and additional travel guidance.

If you’re travelling internationally, a good place to start would be to check CDC’s COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination, indicating which countries are at higher risk than others. Above all, prepare to be flexible during your trip as restrictions and policies may change during your travels.

3. Make a packing list of pandemic essentials

No thanks to the pandemic, travel-related anxiety has become a very real struggle. While we are itching to stretch our legs and see something other than a screen, how can we safely explore a world with potentially deadly encounters with friendly people?

Planning ahead and applying everyday precautions will reduce your risk significantly. That means the must-have travel essentials look completely different from what they did. No stress, we have put together a checklist for you. Here are the new essentials to pack along for a hiccup-free trip:

• Hand sanitizers
• Masks (bring extras!)
• Face shields
• Disinfectant wipes or antibacterial spray
• First-aid kit, supplements and medicine
• Digital thermometer
• Self-test kits
• Reusable cutleries, straws and water bottles
• Snacks
• Pen for filling up forms
• Important documents such as your vaccination certificate, test results, etc.

4. Map out your travel schedule and plan a detailed itinerary

Being spontaneous, while fun and all, may not be the best thing in the midst of a pandemic. With many unknown risk factors, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Start by making a list of accommodation, restaurants and places you deem safe to visit, and make reservations ahead of time. A few criterias to consider:

• Make sure that the staff is fully vaccinated or has access to frequent testing. Establishments that take good care of their employees are more likely to take better care of you.
• Safety protocols are in place — masks are required in public spaces, hand-sanitizing stations are available, temperature checks are performed, social distancing is taken seriously, and contract tracing is practiced.
• Opt for outdoor dining and well ventilated areas. But when that’s not available, look at the social distancing policies. No establishment should be operating at full capacity.
• Avoid crowded areas. Keep a safe distance of 2 meters (6 feet) between you and others as much as possible.
• Avoid activities that involve close contact with other humans. The rule of thumb is that the more isolated you and your party can remain the better.

5. Protection measures to keep in mind

Always remember the basic safety measures:

• Don’t take off your mask when it’s not necessary.
• Wash or sanitize your hands often.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay 2 meters away from others.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• Self-monitor symptoms throughout your trip.

Most importantly, get vaccinated ASAP. Anyone who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine should be fully vaccinated prior to travel. We owe to each other to protect ourselves and protect each other.

When in doubt, stay home.

You should not be traveling if you or your travel buddies are sick or think you have COVID-19 even if you don't have symptoms, or waiting for results of a COVID-19 viral test, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 even if you don't have symptoms or have been around someone with suspected or diagnosed COVID-19 in the past 14 days even if that person didn't have symptoms

We hope these tips were helpful to you. Now stay vigilant, be responsible, and have fun! For more reading materials, check out:

• How to travel safely during the coronavirus outbreak | National Geographic
• Covid-19 Travel Checklist: What You Need To Know Before You Go | Forbes
• How to Protect Yourself From the Coronavirus While Traveling | Cleveland Clinic
• 9 Travel Tips During COVID-19 | Healthgrades
• How to Travel Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic | World Nomads

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