When can we travel again now that countries are opening?

The last few months have been the worst in more than a decade from a travel point of view. Apart from the worldwide tragedy, the pandemic also brought a huge economic impact, especially for the travel industries across the world. Read more to find some things to consider before you decide to travel again.

As countries were closing down in order to contain the spread of the virus many travelers were stuck in different parts of the world. Some decided to pursue any option in order to return home but some others decided to stay and wait until the chaos was over and they could travel again.

Luckily in some parts of the world, there is a light at the end of the tunnel as the number of cases is decreasing. Also, vaccine competitors are advancing in their research. They are testing and studying existing remedies. Currently, there are two drugs that have proven to help in fighting coronavirus: Redemsvir (a drug created to fight Ebola) and dexamethasone (a steroid).

However, as of this moment, there are still no drugs or vaccines that are 100% effective in treating the virus. 

The world still has a lot of unknowns related to COVID-19, such as:

1. Why do some people get a lighter, flu-like form of the virus, while others get a very aggressive, life-threatening form?
2. Does the virus mutate to become more infectious?
3. Does the virus start to become weaker as it spreads?
4. When will the pandemic be over and how will the world change?

Some things to consider before you decide to travel again

Your age

If you are finding yourself in the more dangerous age range, I would definitely suggest you try to protect yourself. Remain at home, better days will come. Therefore, if you are over 60 years old, maybe you should reconsider.

How will you get there

Another thing we would definitely consider is the available means of transportation to get to your desired destination. 

Not all airlines are fully functioning right now, so you may need to go through more lay-overs than usual. Even though many airlines are taking health measures against the spread of the virus, we would still choose other means of transportation. 

We believe the best way would be to travel in your personal car as you can fully control your environment.

Time

Some countries/regions accept international travelers but with a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Therefore you should definitely plan for this situation in case you plan to visit one of those.

Cancellation policies

Some other countries require you to have a COVID-19 test done in the last 48-72 hours prior to arrival. With this in mind, we would check the cancellation policies for flights and accommodation. The worst-case-scenario is to test positive and not get a refund for your unused flights/hotels.

Who will be waiting for you back home?

We would also take into consideration your current living arrangements. For instance, if you live with your grandparents, they have a higher risk of contagion. You may still carry the virus without feeling any symptoms but for them, it could get much worse.

Travel will not be the same as it used to

It really depends on your take on travel, but if you believe you'll go to the pub crawls every night, think twice. The social aspect will be neglected if you decide to travel now as people would wear masks and keep a distance. On the good side, points of interest may be less crowded so you'll get better chances to take beautiful pictures.

So should you decide to travel again?

We believe it really depends on a case-by-case basis. If you really want to travel you must be aware of the risks it carries, do thorough research beforehand. You can also take into consideration the aspects mentioned in this article when you make your decision.

Either way, if you do decide to travel, ensure you take all the recommended precautions, such as keeping social distance, wearing masks and using alcohol gel to disinfect your hands.

What else should you consider when traveling again? Check which countries are opening up for summer travel in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

* This article is based on personal research and not by any means on scientific research. These are our personal opinions based on the subject, therefore ensure you check with the appropriate organizations if you decide to travel again.