Travelling in India during COVID: 6 Travel Precautions You Must Take

"Feeling stressed"?, Let's Travel for That 

After spending a number of months inside the homes, behind the screens attending zoom calls with the boss, spending time playing PUBG, uploading homemade cakes videos/images by almost every Indian. Finally, many of us now are planning to stretch their legs for travelling. But, Is it safe to travel?

For some people, the answer can be a "Yes", for some it will be a "No". In reality, the answer to this question lies with you. The decision to travel is your personal decision, and so as to maintain your health security too. Although all the states have relaxed the tour and travel restrictions, there is no denying the fact that Corona has changed the way we travel and it will take time, to get back to the normal.

As India has now come into the unlocking phase, people have started to accept the new normal. Starting travelling again while being cautious for your health is the new rule. So, in this article, I will list a few travel precautions you must take while travelling in India during COVID.

Check out also: BEST TREKKING BACKPACKS UNDER 1000 IN INDIA

1.) Follow the SOP's as mentioned by respective states/UT's

Many states in India have allowed documents free travel inside their borders and have provided a list of travelling guidelines that must be followed while being inside that state. Although all the states have their own SOP's, I will mention some of the common SOP's that are provided by the states.

• During your stay, you are expected to follow all  COVID 19 advisories including frequent hand washings, wearing face masks, and maintaining social distancing. 
• If you develop any symptoms of COVID 19(even if mild) during your travel, you are supposed to inform the local authorities and stay inside the room or hotel you are residing at.
• Spitting at public places is strictly prohibited and may lead to a fine in some states. 
• Visit regularly the websites of local and state health departments to check the latest travel guidelines as they can vary depending upon the present situation there. 

 

2.) Take Time to Plan your Trip

I know it has been hard to stay behind the screen and not be able to move outside freely. But that doesn't mean you wake up one day and just book your tickets just because of low fares provided by the airlines. 

• Take some time before planning your trip, make a list of destinations you wish to travel to based on your preferences.
• When you make the list, make it on the basis of a few factors such as how healthy or risky the State/Destination is. Keep on checking the latest travel updates, Coronavirus tracker etc related to your destinations.

• Go through the guidelines to follow in that particular state, choose a lesser crowded destination as many people will be rushing towards the popular places etc. (Lesser crowded destinations can be a National Park or a quiet serene location visit for example). You can also check the Top 5 places to visit post CoronaVirus.
• If possible try to travel by your own vehicle or by any sanitised private vehicle to ensure safety and hygiene during travel.

Be respectful to your destination. Read the updates about the new rules, cases of  COVID-19, and the population that resides there. Staying safe while travelling doesn't only protect you, but also let you avoid the unknown transmission of the disease to others.

3.) Travelling by Train

In case you are planning your travel by train make sure you have read the procedure to follow inside trains and railway stations.

• Make sure your tickets are confirmed otherwise you'll not be allowed to enter the station. 
• You will be screened before boarding the train and if you found having any symptoms of COVID19, you'll not be allowed to board the train, even if you have confirmed tickets. 
• Other than the necessary items such as masks, sanitizers etc carry surface disinfectant to sanitize the berth on which you'll be travelling.

• No food vendors will be present to sell inside the stations, So you are advised to bring your own food or buy a ready-to-eat meal from IRCTC.
• You shall be required to reach the railway station at least 90 minutes before your train departure timings so as to get sufficient time to go through screening related activities.

4.) Keep extra Masks (N95 preferred), Pair of Gloves, and Hand Sanitizers (Handwash preferred), Avoid Unnecessary Physical Contact

Using a better mask while travelling will not only save you from a viral infection but also from the dust, and filter other particulate matter present in the air. N95 masks are preferred for this purpose as they can clean air by filtering up to 95% airborne particles. 

   

You may use homemade cloth masks when you are roaming in outdoor uncrowded places, and use N95 while being in crowded places such as railway stations, airports etc.

Avoid touching any metal surfaces, handrails or such frequently touched surfaces. I know avoiding this may be difficult while you travel, so keep washing your hands using soap and water regularly.

Support Digital India !! Download the apps for Digital payments. Avoid physical contacts with the shopkeepers as much as you can.

5.) Travelling by flights

The way air circulates inside the cabin makes it safe for you to not catch the virus easily. But maintaining social distancing inside the crowded flights or at the Check-In lines/Security lines is difficult. 

• According to the new rules issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, everyone included the airport staff, passengers, crew persons must be wearing masks and face shields.
• Book your tickets with maximum cancellation options available and same goes for your accommodation and ride too. Read the cancellation policies carefully. 
• Make sure you handle your baggage on your own. 

• Different airports may have a different set of rules to follow. Do visit the official website of the respected arrival and destination airports.
• I recommend you to book your flight tickets from the official websites of the main airlines in India (and not from third-party websites such as yatra or MakeMyTrip). This will enable you to get the direct updates of your flight on your mobile in case of any schedule change or status of the Flight/Airport.
• In case after the deboarding flight, symptoms arise in you make sure to inform at the National Call Center(1075) / District Surveillance officer of the state.
• You may check the latest updates by Ministry of Civil Aviation, Click here.

6.) Boost your immunity

And as they say, "Prevention is better than Cure".

Ayurveda has many hidden ancient secrets for building immunity and Ministry of Ayush has come up with different ways that your body remains highly immune and defence mechanism remains intact.

Well, I am not here to give any medical advice but it will be better if you go through the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Ayush, few of which is listed below:

• Keep having warm water all day.
• Increase the intake of spices like Turmeric, Coriander, Garlic, Cumin. You can carry Chyawanprash (a healthy Ayurvedic supplement made by nutrient-rich herbs and minerals) and have it at least two times a day.
• Try to increase the intake of citrus fruits as well in your diet.

 For more information on immunity-boosting techniques, you may visit the Ministry of Ayush and read this document related to self-help. "Following these techniques does not guarantee you the cure of COVID19".

Nobody really knows what will happen next. So it is better to have several options ready with several possible dates. Travel can still be fun only if you follow the rules and take precautions. And in the last most importantly,

"Don't rush taking your first post Unlock Vacation"