The new essentials to bring along in your travels
International tourism is almost back on track, but don’t let the crowded airports, sea ports, and bus stations fool you. The virus is still in the air, sniffing around for weak spots, compromised immunity, and reckless behavior.
Since early this year, there has been a big sigh of relief from some sectors, who claim that Omicron is very likely going to be the last variant of SARS-CoV-2. But it has been on a rampage since last year. It is currently wreaking havoc in Southeast Asia, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
“It’s dangerous to assume that we are in the end game,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization (WHO) director-general during a board meeting at WHO in January. He also debunked the notion that the Omicron variant could be the last of the evolving virus. “On the contrary,” he explained, “globally the conditions are ideal for more variants to emerge.”
Be that as it may, after two years of going in and out of lockdowns and with vaccination programs in full swing all over the world, we’ve had enough of hiding. Experts have agreed that with enough people having gained some immunity either from vaccination or infection the coronavirus is now in transition to what epidemiologists call “endemic state.” It’s time we stepped, albeit cautiously, out into the world. Not only does it benefit our sanity, it’s also crucial to the economy, which is among the major victims of this ongoing pandemic.
First things first: We need to incorporate wellness into every trip we take, especially the first one, if we have yet to shed our fears, which can adversely affect our stress levels and, as a result, our resistance to infection.
Here’s a list of things you need to pack in your suitcase—or your handcarry—before you hit the sky, sail away, or drive on.
Your vaccination card or a certificate of vaccination
If you’re flying, proof of vaccination is now as important as your airline ticket. In most destinations, before you are given a pass through the borders, you are asked to present it. It is very likely that tourist establishments like malls, shops, theaters, theme parks, bars, or restaurants at your destination will ask for your vaccination card.
Tip: Some countries like the Czech Republic require the vaccine passport issued by the World Health Organization, otherwise known as the International Certificate of Vaccination, Yellow Card, or Carte Jaune. Singapore requires only VaxCertPH QR code from Filipino travellers.
A valid, updated negative RT-PCR test result
Rules keep changing, often at a moment’s notice, but airlines, cruise ships, international trains, and even intercity buses are likely to demand a copy of a negative RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test result, whether or not you have proof of vaccination. In most countries, unvaccinated travelers are expected to produce a negative RT-PCR test in lieu of vaccination cards upon departure and arrival. It is almost SOP, however, to get tested one to three days before your trip, including your trip home from vacation, whether or not you are fully vaccinated.
We need to incorporate wellness into every trip we take, especially the first one, if we have yet to shed our fears, which can adversely affect our stress levels and, as a result, our resistance to infection.
Enough change of face masks
Although mask mandates in many cities, such as in Europe, the Middle East, and North Amrica, have relaxed to the point that at some hotels you are reminded that you can do without a mask, you’re going to need as many face masks as the days you’re going to spend traveling. Wear a mask at all times, especially indoors, and anywhere you are likely to brush with many people, including parks. Most cities still requires masks at public transportation systems, like the Metro, MRT, and MTR, Disposable masks are supposed to be thrown away after you have used them once. If you prefer a cloth mask, use it over a surgical mask and wash it once it’s dirty or gets wet, preferably once a day. This means you need to bring a handful of cloth masks or as many as the surgical masks you must wear in tandem with them.
Tip: If you have to keep adjusting your mask to cover your nose or mouth, or if it leaves gaps on the sides or if it leaks air out at the top, it means your mask is not keeping you safe enough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends N95 and KN95 if you’re looking for the best to keep yourself and those around you safe, but beware of counterfeits.
Alcohol spray or hand sanitizers (or even hand soap)
Disinfectants are key. We have always been allowed to bring as much as 100 mL of liquids or gel in our carry-on bag, but now, until further notice, we can bring 12 ounces more, if traveling to the US, or up to 355 mL more, if traveling to Canada. Traveling to India, we can bring up to 350 mL. The 100 mL rule is enforced in other destinations like Europe or Australia, although in Australia, when traveling domestically, there are no limits on quantities of liquids.
Just remember that regular washing of hands is as important as wearing a face mask and social distancing in this pandemic. Wash your hands as often as you can or use hand sanitizers or alcohol sprays, if washing is not possible, especially before eating or after touching anything. Try not to touch your face, particularly your eyes, nose, or mouth, unless your hands are completely clean. Bring wet wipes with you also, with which to disinfect surfaces before you touch or sit on them.
Medications, particularly vitamins as immunity boosters
Vitamin C, please. We need vitamin C to keep our leukocytes healthy, those white blood cells that help fight infections. Vitamin D and zinc are also a must. Experts have associated low levels of vitamin D with vulnerability to Covid infection. Zinc, on the other hand, has been known to help inhibit the replication of the virus in the body.
Mobile phone and portable chargers
Of course, you need to bring them with you on your trip, but you need to have them more now that in most cases a phone is all you need to show check-in counters, security checks, or ticketing kiosks your certificate of vaccination, travel permits, RT-PCR negative result, QR codes, or even your airline or plane ticket. You are also going to need them to order at restaurants, where a no-touch policy in place. And don’t forget your power adapters or, better yet, one with multiple USB ports, so you can simultaneously charge multiple devices.
Water bottle (or even cutlery)
Times like this the more paranoid you are the safer you can be, but not paranoid enough to be immobilized. Depending on your comfort level, it might be wise to bring your own water bottle and some personal cutlery to reduce the risk of picking up the virus at fastfood chains, hawker centers, diners, cafés and coffee shops, food courts and markets, and roadside stalls.
Insurance
This is self-explanatory, but there’s nothing worse than getting sick but getting sick away from home and in a hospital without insurance.
Now all your bags are packed, are you ready to go? Go out, but do it with care. Remember that life is short. You need the world and the world also needs you.