We get why going on a holiday is all that matters after spending what feels like eons at home. We also get that not every trip is for leisure, and some of us have no choice but to travel for work. Regardless of the reason, unfortunately, the pandemic is far from over, and restrictions are still rampant. Here are five key travel guidelines one must follow in 2021 if they tread outside their homes.

Local requirements and restrictions

Before traveling to another location, check the latest restrictions imposed at the destination. Certain governments have detailed guidelines in place, including masks everywhere or requiring those who have recently traveled to stay home for 14 days. These requirements may also change regularly.

Getting tested

Getting tested before and after any trip is in everyone’s best interest because it helps reduce the risk of spreading the virus. According to the CDC, a person must get tested one to three days before a trip. And if the results have still not come in, it’s safer to delay the plan. Individuals should follow the same routine three to five days after their travel. They must also stay indoors for about seven days, even if they test negative, to be on the safer side.

Travel safety measures

Whether a person travels by air, car, bus, or train, there is bound to be some amount of overcrowding. Therefore, it is necessary to stand or sit 2 meters (6 feet) apart from the person next to them. Avoid contact with anyone who is sick. One must also wear a mask at all times and avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. The traveler should wash their hands at regular intervals, especially after touching a foreign surface. One must also cover their mouth while coughing and sneezing with their elbow.

Suitcase essentials

A traveler must keep any medicine and essential supplies packed before their journey. A few essentials are extra face masks, tissues, disinfectant wipes, a thermometer, and alcohol-based sanitizers. Disinfectant aerosols can always be bought and utilized at the destination to be extra safe.

Hotel guidelines

With the ongoing pandemic, hotels have started taking extra measures to curb the spread of the virus. So before booking a room, one should look for hotels that adopt the best safety practices. Some of these include deep cleaning services, mandatory masks for staff, contactless payments, and efficient social distancing measures. The hotel must follow the established protocols on the off chance a guest or staff becomes ill. This includes sealing the room for enhanced sanitization.

Apart from the five key travel guidelines to follow in 2021, here’s a sixth that deserves everyone’s attention.

When to stay home

It is advisable to stay home if the traveler or their travel companions are:

• Waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test.
• Infected or potentially infected with COVID-19 even if asymptomatic.
• Diagnosed with COVID-19 with no symptoms.
• In close contact with someone possibly infected or diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. This also goes for a person who probably never had any symptoms.

The virus can affect anyone at any time. So staying away from making any grand plans is crucial for the present. There are plenty of travel plans that can be penned down once things get back to normal. Until then, it is in everyone’s best interests to stay home, stay safe.