š 6 minute read
After a tough year and limited opportunities to travel, in January Iām heading off for a week-long wellness retreat in the Caribbean, but traveling during this time presents its own unique challenges. If youāre thinking about traveling overseas from the UK soon, these are some of the things youāll need to consider.
Like many, Iāve lost loved ones, been financially impacted by furlough and struggled with my mental health whilst trying to support as many friends and family as I could, from a distance of course.
Iāve kept a gratitude journal and have increased my focus on my physical and mental health to get through, meditating daily and discovering open water swimming, but I very much feel like Iāve survived and not thrived.
Iām eternally grateful I still have a roof over my head and a source of income, not only that, but Iām in the fortunate position to be able to travel and given the challenges of 2020, Iām very much looking forward to my forthcoming trip, but travel during a pandemic presents a few challenges.
I recognise that I am fortunate to be in a position to nurture my wellbeing in this way and, all going well, Iāll soon be heading to the Caribbean for a week of glamping on a beach in Antigua, at Wild Lotus Glamping.
This trip has been in my diary for a couple of months now, acting like a shining beacon of hope, especially in the face of what already feels like a dull and dreary winter thatās dragging on. As someone who usually travels a lot and has a low boredom threshold, being unable to travel throughout 2020 was tough.
Iāve come to realise that I have a complex set of coping mechanisms in place that support my mental health, travel is one of the things that feeds my soul and for most of the year, Iāve been fighting an intense feeling of claustrophobia, feeling like a caged bird. Iām grateful for local walks and the few camping and glamping trips I did manage to fit in this year of course, but there were none of the usual grand adventures.
So, with a global pandemic still calling the shots, whatās it like making travel plans during the age of Covid-19?
These are some of the extra considerations to take into account when making travel plans.
Of course, travel insurance is always a must, but I noticed that my usual annual cover had gone up by around £30, like for like. I shopped around of course but found prices significantly higher than my annual cover cost last year from every insurer I looked at.
I donāt know if this is just a coincidence, but I suspect travel insurance premiums have been raised as a response to the travel uncertainty caused by Covid.
Iād recommend ensuring you have travel insurance in place prior to making any travel bookings too. Also check out the small-print and booking terms and conditions relating to Covid-19 and use a credit card for added protection where possible.
I hadnāt heard of a PCR test until I saw a blog by Blue Bay Travel about traveling to the Caribbean during the pandemic. The author mentioned needing a PCR test before flying, so this prompted me to look into it.
Turns out that a PCR test is different to a standard Covid test. Not only that, you can expect to pay from Ā£120 to around Ā£350 for a PCR test and depending on where youāre flying to, there are strict rules as to how this can be administered and when it needs to be obtained.
For example, some places require a test that is taken no more than 72 hours before travel, other places provide a more lenient 7 day timescale. Some countries require a doctorās note and wonāt accept the results of swabs taken at home and sent off, so do be very careful here, because lack of a valid PCR test could mean youāre denied entry.
For Antigua and Barbuda, as it stands, a PCR test is needed no more than 7 days before the flight date and it canāt be a home test. There are limited clinics in the UK offering a rapid turnaround, but these cost a few hundred pounds. I know that some Well pharmacies are offering PCR tests that can be booked online and cost Ā£120 at the time of writing.
Itās important to mention that the airline I booked my flights with (British Airways) provided no information about anything relating to the need for a PCR test prior to, or following my flight booking. With 2 weeks to go before travel, they have also provided no additional guidance on flight procedures, wearing of masks etc. although the flight details have already changed twice, including flying from a different terminal and different flight times.
Before booking anything check the gov.uk website and check the official travel advice for the country you want to visit.
Itās tough to stay on top of travel advice as itās changing so frequently, but if you Google the country you want to visit + ātravel restrictionsā or + ātravel entry requirementsā youāll be able to find up to date information, and check multiple sources too to ensure the information you have is correct.
Iām flying to Antiqua from Gatwick airport. Whilst getting to Gatwick itself from the north is always a nightmare, one arrival at any UK airport, be aware that social distancing rules are currently in place and that there are also restricted services, meaning you might find that not all restaurants and shops are open.
Check before you fly and consider booking an airport lounge. Last year before a flight to France from Manchester Airport, I booked an airport lounge and found the experience much more pleasant than the usual airport experience.
This will differ from airline to airline, but as it stands, BA are currently offering only cold food on their flights, so donāt expect your normal in-flight meal even when flying long-haul.
Iām not really sure why this is, serving sandwiches that need to be kept chilled canāt really present more of a risk than serving the usual hot airline meals, but as it stands, food options are likely to be limited/different.
Consider too that youāll have to wear a mask throughout the flight, so itās worth making sure you have a couple of masks with you (If youāve worn one for several hours on end youāll know that they can end up a little damp from moisture as you breathe) and making sure they are comfortable to wear for extended periods.
One thing to add ā when we flew back from Venice in September they insisted passengers had to wear a disposable mask, no reusable fabric ones allowed. Airport was selling them but probably at an inflated price
ā Katy š¦ (@katyish) December 14, 2020
A friend over on Twitter, helpfully pointed out that on a European flight in September, reusable fabric masks were not allowed, only the disposable kind, so thatās worth thinking about ā Iāll certainly be taking some disposable ones away with me just in case!
Depending on where youāre flying to and where you fly back into the UK from, you may need to self-isolate when you get home. If you are already working from home, this is likely to be fairly straightforward to cope with, but if you have children to get to school, a relative to look after or your job canāt be done from home, this should be a serious consideration.
Find out about the current UK Covid-19 travel corridors and arrival information. Be aware too, that all UK arrivals will need to fill in a passenger locator form.
Iām not sure Iāll really relax until Iām on the plane, and even then Iāll be worrying about the authorities accepting the results of my PCR test and fit to fly certificate when I landā¦
Travel in these unpredictable times is certainly less straightforward and Iāve definitely found making travel plans more stressful (and costly) than usual, but Iām remaining pragmatic, hoping for the best, but prepared equally for the fact that any number of factors could change in an instant.
Have you traveled during the pandemic? What was your experience like? Did you encounter anything else Iāve not mentioned above? It would be great to hear from you in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!
DISCLOSURE | My trip to Antigua is part self-funded and Iām paying all travel expenses. Accommodation and retreat costs are being kindly covered byĀ Wild Lotus Glamping.