Traveling after the Coronavirus Outbreak

With the Coronavirus affecting areas around the world, many people have decided now is not the time to travel. You may not be traveling by choice or your cruise or family vacation destination may have decided for you, either way, it can be devastating. Today we are talking about what I think everyone is looking forward to… traveling after the Coronavirus outbreak.

Let’s start with the most common question, will it be safe to travel in (fill in the date). Unfortunately, I don’t have the answer. This whole Coronavirus outbreak is an unprecedented event, and if you asked me a week ago if half of the things that are shut down would be shut down I would have said no. So I am done guesstimating when things will be back to normal. What I can do is assure you that I do believe things will get back to normal and you will feel safe to travel again. This is an ever-changing situation and to have the most reliable and updated information I encourage you to continue checking the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The next, and still very popular question is, are there places I can still travel to now? Absolutely, the Caribbean (as of writing this blog) has no cases of the Coronavirus. The Caribbean is waiting with open arms to welcome you, in fact, they are hoping you take this opportunity to visit. The Caribbean had its share of hits over the past few years. There are so many options and really a place for everyone. Jamaica, Rivera Maya, Bahamas, Turks, and the list goes on. Are you looking for a relaxing place to escape the madness? Adults only locations? Fun energetic locations? Great family resorts? Check out our guide to Beaches Resorts here for some great family options. Let one of our amazing travel agents help you plan the perfect getaway (I promise it will make their day).

The Caribbean sounds amazing, right? Maybe you are saying, look I would love to pick up and head to the Caribbean but there is just too much uncertainty, or your work won’t allow you to travel. I get it, I’m in the same boat. We can, however, look forward to when things start easing and we can travel again. As I mentioned, I can not predict when that will be. I can, however, give you tips on traveling safely to keep everyone as healthy as possible.

First, everyone’s bodies go into a little shock and stress when we travel. When you get out of the normal routine of life your body isn’t really sure what to do. Then, you add in long flights, lack of sleep, the stress of getting to the destination and it all adds to our bodies not being in their tip-top shape for traveling. Next, you are in an environment you aren’t accustomed to, maybe different climates. You may be drinking and eating quite differently than you typically do. You get the point. What this does is prevents your body from fighting things off as it would normally.

How do we fix it?

Here are a few tips

Prep for the Trip

• Book with a travel agent. Let them take care of the stressful planning stage.
• Make sure your passport (if you are traveling internationally, or don’t have the Real ID) isn’t expired. Many countries require it to be valid for 6 months after you return.
• Pack with enough time so you aren’t throwing things in your bag as you head out the door for your flight. (If I’m being honest here, I’m talking to myself here)
• If you are traveling and leaving children at home make sure to leave an insurance card and information with whoever they will be with.
• Purchase travel insurance. This is a step many people forget, but it will save you so much heartache if (God forbid) you need it. I won’t go into a ton of details here but contact your travel professional for more information about travel insurance.

Don’t Rush

• If you are flying make sure you leave early enough to get to the airport with enough time to check your bags, get through security, use the restroom, and maybe grab a snack or a drink.
• Try to get a map of the airport layout in advance so you have an idea of where to go.
• Don’t schedule flights with the shortest or longest layover. Y’all, I get it, the shorter amount of time you have to be in an airport the better… But when you have to RUN through the airport to another terminal to get to your flight as it is boarding and you didn’t even have time to use the restroom does not start your vacation off on the right start. On the flip side, waiting in an airport for 5 hours isn’t the best start either.

Take normal health precautions

• Carry disinfecting wipes or this PlaneAire Travel Mist
• Keep any vitamins you normally take with you. You don’t want when you are traveling to be the time you stop taking them.
• Keep some general allergy, sinus, and headache medicine with you.

Get sleep and stay hydrated

• Try to get good sleep. I know this is hard while on vacation because there’s so much you want to see and do but sleep is so important while traveling.
• Drink LOTS of water. Staying hydrated is so important when you are spending hours in the sun and probably drinking more than you typically do. Bringing a water bottle with you and filling it throughout the day will help with that.
• When your vacation is coming to an end make sure you know the procedure for checking out and getting back to the airport if flying.

It may be a little while before we have some normalcy from the Coronavirus. Our hope is that you know the Wish Upon Afar team is here for you navigating the travel world during this unprecedented time. We are monitoring the situation closely and how it affects all of our clients’ travel plans. When this whole coronavirus situation is over, we know you will be needing a break and ready to get away from it all. We look forward to helping you and your family throughout this entire process.