Five tips to help you navigate travel in the time of COVID
By Anuja Venkatachalam
I have a pact with myself. Every two years, I undertake a journey to push my bounds physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
In 2021, I had decided I was going to trek the Mount Everest circuit solo. With no porter or guide, I was going to traverse through the mighty Himalayas, starting at 7,900 feet in the lower Khumbu valley all the up to Everest base camp at 17598 feet. Then, I would cross the Khumbu and Gokyo valleys through the High passes at 18000 feet. Altitude, snow, blizzard or rain, I was determined to complete my journey of 22 days.
When the world was sucked into the COVID-19 pandemic, my plan, like most plans and resolutions made for the year, was put aside. However, as we approached the end of 2020, there were signs that governments were able to rein in the disease. For one, testing had increased and cases were at their lowest. Two, there were no legal restrictions on movement and international flights had started to operate. After weeks of consultation with friends and locals in Nepal, I received a green flag and set off with my backpack and hiking gear.
Having backpacked my way across many countries, travelling after COVID was expectedly different. For starters, the thought of huddling in dormitories is not only a distant one but almost triggers germophobia even for the seasoned minimalist. However, with the right precautions and planning, travelling in a post-COVID world can open doors to communities whose livelihoods, solely dependent on tourism, have had the rug pulled out from under. It can open pathways for empathy, togetherness and humanitarianism as we have all had to surf the same tidal wave of infections.
I completed the Mount Everest circuit, and with it brought home new friends, experiences, and stories to tell.
Here, I share some tips to help you plan your travel after the COVID outbreak.
Tip 1 – Research, research, research
Needless to say, travelling during a pandemic is going to entail a lot more research and groundwork before you book your tickets.
A good starting point is websites such as https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ and https://covid19.who.int/ which show you the latest data on cases and deaths. Look up local statistics on government websites before you put together an itinerary. It is best to avoid areas with higher caseloads, not only because of a higher risk of infection but also keeping in view the availability of healthcare services and potential restrictions on movement that could be enforced while you are there.
Carefully research and assess the prevalence of COVID and vaccine coverage in the areas you will be travelling to, the availability of public and private hospitals, the cost of healthcare, and tourist traffic from across the globe. The reopening of international borders could well result in overcrowding. Although countries are actively monitoring and restricting entry from “high-risk” regions, immigration data, publicly available on government websites can help you assess the potential risk of coming in contact with tourists from countries with higher caseloads.
The underreporting of cases is a global issue. No testing, no cases. Therefore, check the local news coverage for any flags around underreporting and low testing rates. Speak to locals and find out about the situation on the ground before you decide to take the leap.
Tip 2 – Plan around COVID-19
In the same manner that one purchases travel insurance to cover for theft or trip cancellations, one needs to hedge against COVID. Do not eliminate the possibility of you contracting the virus on your trip. Instead, prepare for it.
If you are purchasing insurance, ensure that it covers COVID-19. Trekking poses additional challenges as not all insurances cover high altitude. During my trek to Everest base camp, 2 in 8 people could not complete the trek and had to be rescued through helicopter services, covered only by a few travel insurance companies.
Keep a record of local doctors, hospitals and quarantine centres, should the need arise, and if you have an underlying condition that increases your risk of the disease, you may want to consult a medical practitioner or wait to get vaccinated before you travel internationally.
In short, your travel must be planned around COVID, and this could include choosing private rooms over dormitories, or private transportation over public transportation.
As you travel, you will come across areas where there is no sign of masks or social distancing, and the onus of protecting yourself is on you.
Tip 3 – Adhere to local COVID-19 measures
Globally, international travel requires an RT-PCR test to be taken up to 48-72 hours prior to travel. Additionally, depending on where you are travelling from and where you are travelling to, you will be required to undergo institutional or home quarantine upon arrival.
In my experience, adherence to quarantine requirements was not monitored. However, I highly recommend that you quarantine even if the designated period is 14 days. In my personal experience, it prevented me from coming in contact with several COVID positive patients who I would have met had I not adhered to quarantine restrictions. In some countries, non-adherence to COVID-19 measures such as wearing masks can also have legal consequences.
Tip 4 – Monitor the situation in your home country
In the time that I was away, India had the second wave of infections, and in no time featured on the red-list for many countries. Although I was away in the mountains with no access to the news, word-of-mouth spread and I had to ensure a way back before international borders closed. With COVID, the situation changes everyday, and there is no way to plan against these unpredictabilities but to keep abreast with the news.
Tip 5 – Help the locals
The tourism industry is arguably the worst hit from COVID-19, and hundreds of communities whose sole livelihood depends on tourism are on the brink of poverty.
Trekking the Everest base camp trail, a region that is thronged by thousands of trekkers every year, all I came across were empty trails and lodges. Look for opportunities to help the locals survive. This is not the time to haggle for low prices. Instead, help them spread the word about the reopening of businesses, support those affected or support a local organization providing COVID relief.
Safe travels!
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