Many holiday operators have seen a sudden surge in interest, with lots of people desperate to book a last-minute escape. Of course, many will have booked long in advance and if that was for late July or August it’s quite likely it will be going ahead as planned.
If you are in the latter position, you may well have a mix of excitement, but also trepidation about venturing on holiday, particularly abroad. So we look at how to ensure you have safe & happy travels!
So, what sensible steps can you take:
- Make sure you have travel insurance in place. Pandemic cover will likely have been altered, but check it covers you for medical related expenses. It is unlikely it will cover cancellation. If travelling in Europe, don’t just rely on an EHIC card.
- If you have pre-existing conditions, ensure you take copies of your prescriptions with you. Take extra medications with you in case you end up in a place longer than you imagined.
- Check that your holidays destination has medical facilities, such as a hospital that you could access. Plan how you would get there, in the event you are not hiring a car.
- Take a phrase book if going abroad and you are not fluent in the language.
- Pack games etc. to entertain you and your family, should you end up in the unfortunate position of being locked-down whilst away. Along with electronic devices and chargers.
Then, Don’t forget:
- You may need more holiday money than you do normally, as places look for ways to crawl back money lost in the early season. Expect to pay more for shopping, drinks, food, taxis and so on.
- Do research before you leave on the countries social distancing measures. Ensure you take adequate masks/gloves as dictated by the place. Especially to ensure you have access to tourist attractions and public transport. The same applies for your method of travel.
- Check before you book that your holiday destination does not expect you to quarantine on arrival. Equally it looks as if England, Ireland, Wales & Scotland will have different rules for your arrival back.
- Spend some time researching the places you want to visit, whether it is beaches, museums, zoos… Not everywhere has opened as expected and most places will be limiting numbers and adhering to some form of social distancing. Many places will be working on a ticket-only basis. So, book in advice to avoid disappointment.
- You probably always pack a first-aid kit, but you might want one that is a bit more comprehensive this time around, covering the whole family and including PPE & sanitiser.
Whether you are going abroad or trying a UK staycation, with a little bit of forward planning, there is no reason you can’t enjoy your travels just as much as usual.
Wishing you safe & happy travels!
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