Avid travelers all over the world are feeling disappointed and frustrated. With the Covid-19 pandemic, it looks like jetting around the world isn’t likely to be a popular pastime for the next while. But for how long? In other words, how long will it be before I can travel again?
What are the Experts Saying about the Global Covid-19 Situation?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know how much everyone is talking about the Covid-19 pandemic. Whether you’re scrolling through your social media feeds or watching TV, there’s simply no escaping hearing about this frightening situation.
It can be easy to tune out, but this is indeed a dangerous time to be on the road. Listening to the experts and taking the necessary measures are essential not only to keep yourself safe but save the lives of others. The experts tell us that the global pandemic has taken tens of thousands of lives and will take countless thousands more. Without the implementation of strict and drastic measures, the death toll will be even more devastating. Experts indicate that it may take several months before there is any hope of safe travel.
Things You Must Look Out For
If you’re not yet convinced of how unwise and thoughtless it is to travel right now, let’s take a look at some of the things you would need to keep in mind if you want to avoid getting into a potentially unlucky situations.
Safety During Covid-19
Travelers right now will find it difficult, if not impossible, to stay safe. If you have a health emergency, you’ll have great difficulty in getting treated, especially if the local hospitals are overwhelmed with Covid-19 cases. You’ll also risk running into civic unrest and political turmoil, as well as fear or even hostility from locals angry at seeing tourists who could be bringing the virus to their region.
Possible Unexpected Costs
If that hasn’t convinced you, think about the potential (and potentially significant) costs you could run into. Don’t be blinded by the deep discounts offered on flights and accommodations right now. After all, you could (and probably would) run into food shortages, increased chance of theft, huge fines, and sudden changes that could put you into a very tricky situation.
Visa and Travel Bans
It’s very likely that the country you want to visit has instituted a travel ban, in any case. Japan and the Philippines are just two of many. For a list on current travel bans please check out my Visa Resources Page.
Travel Insurance During Covid-19
If you were able to secure any right now, you would not be able to count on your travel insurance during the pandemic. There have been many stories of travel insurers notifying travelers of a discontinuation of coverage. For example, CTV reported on March 15 that RSA Canada had given Canadians with their insurance less than 10 days to get home before they would no longer be covered.
Accessibility to Attractions (or Lack Thereof)
If you hadn’t figured it out already, lots of attractions are bound to be closed during the pandemic. In fact, you might find that pretty much everything you wanted to visit will be inaccessible.
Remember the Spanish Influenza of 1918
The Spanish Influenza of 1918 is one historic event that is front of mind right now, for obvious reasons. It took at least 24 weeks for the flattening of the curve of the Spanish Influenza to be accomplished. This means that it took six months, and this was at a time when there was very little travel. After all, commercial flight only began in 1914.
It seems clear that we can count on the next six to nine months being a period during which travel will be something you simply shouldn’t do. Not only will it not be recommended by experts, it will be frowned upon by others.
So How Long Before I Can Travel Again?
There are several things that need to happen before you can know how long it will be before you can go travel again. You have to wait for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization to say that travel is now safe. The United States State Department must also give the all clear, lifting its Level 4 travel advisory.
If you live in another country, such as Canada or the United Kingdom, you will also want to make sure that your government has lifted their warnings, as well. Even if you’re American, it will give you better peace of mind to know that other countries approve of warnings being rescinded.
Other indications that travel has become safe will include occurrences such as schools and businesses re-opening. Restaurants being open again for full services might be an especially strong indication. Only go on a trip if you are able to buy travel insurance. If you find this to be impossible, it is definitely still too dangerous to travel.
Additionally, you should make sure that a reputable travel agent is willing to book your trip before you go on any sort of trip. This is because a professional travel agent won’t book a trip if it isn’t considered safe by officials.
Don’t be fooled by any tourist attractions opening or perhaps no new Covid-19 cases occurring in a new country making you think that things are safe. These aren’t reliable indications. Remember that even if a destination you want to visit isn’t reported to have any new cases, thousands of people from other places will probably be moving through its airport every day. This means that you get infected.
Travel risk assessment experts at an insurance technology company called G1G.com say that it will take a bare minimum of three months before the all clear will be given for safe travel. There is a strong possibility that it will be longer than that. In fact, many experts believe that it could take between six and nine months to begin traveling safely.
But there’s no need for disappointment! You can use this time to prepare for your next trip, or to plan your 9-5 escape by convincing your employer to let you keep working remotely. Sign up to my newsletter to get step by step details on how to do so.
You can also experience the sights and sounds of travel in the safety of your own home—with virtual reality.
Virtual Reality Applications Bring You the Experience of Travel in Your Own Home
There are exciting Virtual Reality applications that will let you teleport yourself to fascinating places throughout the world, even meeting new people along the way! For example an Oculus Go can now be purchased for $147 USD.
With the Oculus Go, you can enjoy virtual travel with applications like Hoppin’ and Wander. So you’ll be able to enjoy all the amazing experiences that you’d otherwise miss out on before being able to go travel again. Now is the time to stay home, stay safe, stay sane and never lose hope! Enjoy virtual travel with virtual travel and plan for your next getaway.
Until next time,
The Alternative Ways
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Great tips Jo! This is a great time to sit down and plan the next decade’s travel plan.