Is it safe to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has made many people hesitant to travel because it can be transmitted during travel. The spread of the virus can happen unexpectedly, causing many people to worry and reconsider their travel plans.
However, now that several countries worldwide have implemented new normal, the policy of prohibiting travel with social restrictions in some countries has now been loosened. People can travel if necessary.
During this pandemic, traveling is arguably unsafe, but it is influenced by several things such as tourist destinations, body condition, preparedness and maturity of prevention, and others.
To be safe when traveling during this pandemic, travelers must have sufficient information, readiness, and knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic and how to prevent it. Never go on a trip without careful preparation because it will only endanger yourself and other people.
Travel recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, careful preparation and knowledge are needed to minimize transmission risk. This includes seeking information about target destinations, as well as health policies and protocols that are implemented.
To prevent the occurrence of transmission of COVID-19 while traveling, here are the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) for people traveling in public areas:
Precautions
During the trip, everyone should wash their hands frequently, cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing with bent elbows or tissues, and maintain a physical distance of at least one meter from other people. If using an airplane, the public must follow the recommendations of the travel authority regarding policies at airports and airlines.
Make sure before and after the trip to check body temperature and symptoms, people with a high body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius should get proper treatment.
Wear a mask
Broadly speaking, masks are divided into two types, namely medical masks and cloth masks. Those who are healthy and have no symptoms can wear a cloth master to prevent spreading the virus to others.
Meanwhile, those who have comorbidities or those aged 60 years and over are encouraged to wear medical masks when traveling. This provides greater protection from other people who may have contracted the virus.
Keep in mind, using a mask does not fully protect yourself from the transmission of COVID-19. Therefore basic precautions must be considered and taken.
People who are prohibited from traveling
People with a diagnosis of a confirmed COVID-19 case must be isolated and must not travel. Anyone who has had contact with another person with a confirmed case of COVID-19 must be quarantined and not travel.
People aged 60 years and over and those with severe chronic illnesses or underlying health conditions are advised to postpone travel.
If you fall sick on your way
If you fall sick on your way, notify the travel officer (plane, boat, train, etc.). You may be moved to a chair further away from other people. Ask for information on how to be checked by a health care provider and get immediate treatment.
If you are told that you must self-isolate in a certain place, ensure that the facilities and care provided are free and adequate and are not asked to stay for more than 14 days.
Do a brief research
Before traveling, it’s a good idea to do a little research to find out whether your destination is safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. If the positive cases at that destination are high, it’s better to re-plan or postpone your trip. Because today there is no safer place than being in your own home.
Bring hand sanitizer and disinfectant
It may sound cliché, but it can be used as a substitute for soap and water when you have trouble finding a clean sink or even a toilet. Besides, there is nothing wrong with bringing disinfectants if you decide to travel using a private vehicle. Clean frequently touched surfaces such as steering wheel and door handles.
Check before booking a hotel or accommodation
Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the hotel industry has realized that many tourists are reluctant to travel for fear of contracting the virus. But lately, many hotels have followed government recommendations.
Some of them even make special reports on the official website in order to inform potential visitors of what efforts have been made to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. Make sure your hotel is safe and is indeed alert in preventing COVID-19 around the hotel.
Keep clean
Have hand sanitizer ready wherever you go. You can buy it from any local convenience store in Indonesia. We should follow essential hygiene habits such as bathing twice a day, not using excessive clothing, and always throwing trash in the trash can. Maintaining personal hygiene will benefit not only you but also those around you.
Be alert to body conditions
Your body always signals when it needs more attention. If you feel unwell, you can always go to the nearest hospital and get medical help. It would be nice if you bring your medical supplies while visiting Shanghai and have a smooth vacation. It is always a good idea to take precautions.
Book tickets online
It is a good idea to purchase and book tickets online to avoid queues and direct contact with large crowds.
Suppose you are forced to buy tickets at the sales counter directly. In that case, you must be able to ensure that the ticket sales manager and the tourist attraction manager are compliant and implement health protocols, such as maintaining 1-2 meter queues, as well as other health protocols.
Is travel to China Permitted during the Covid-19 pandemic?
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Have you longed to visit and wander in the land of the bamboo curtain? There is good news for you because gradually, China has opened up to visitors.
China is one of the tourist destinations in Asia, which has its own charm. Not only is it thick with its culture but its beautiful natural scenery makes many people want to visit there. However, in times of pandemics like this, some people may hesitate to visit China.
Now that China has made efforts to return to normal, travelers can now return under certain circumstances and will have to comply with strict health and safety protocols. There are criteria for those who qualify to enter China, documents that need to be obtained, and quarantine measures upon arrival in the country.
Those who want to enter China, including foreign nationals and Chinese citizens, must first undergo a medical examination to ensure that they are negative for COVID-19. The official test result is the test result that is still valid for a maximum of 5 days after departure. The examination must also be in a facility recognized by the Chinese embassy in the country of origin. Not only that, upon arrival in China, all visitors need to do the test again and wait for the results at the waiting location that has been determined by the airline or transportation provider.
After you arrive in China, you also have to quarantine at the specified location or according to the area where you land. Because maybe the quarantine regulations different in some regions in China.
Guidelines of traveling Shanghai during the COVID-19 pandemic
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In Shanghai, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Shanghai city government have issued two channels: the normal channel and the fast track channel to facilitate the entry of important needs into China.
The fast track channel only applies to companies whose countries of origin have signed a fast track agreement with China. Those who enter Shanghai on the fast trach channel will be allowed to start working and be active in Shanghai within 48 hours of arrival to Shanghai – of course, after getting a negative COVID-19 test result.
Those entering Shanghai following normal procedures will be required by the local government to quarantine for 14 days at a facility designated by the government. Domestic tourists may not need to be quarantined if they come from a low-risk area.
Those over 70 years old, under 14 years old, pregnant, or in other specific situations can apply for the right to self-isolate at home or go into private isolation.
If you visit Shanghai, you will be directed to Pudong Airport because all international flights to Shanghai are directed to Pudong Airport.
All provincial and municipal governments in China adopt different quarantine policies and have different restriction strategies based on their health code schemes and territorial conditions.
Apart from the guidelines above, here are some tips that you should follow when traveling to Shanghai:
Items required
1.Mask
Masks are very necessary when doing outdoor activities, which is done to minimize the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Amid this Corona pandemic, everyone is required to wear a mask to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
2. Gloves
This is not required but recommended. Gloves can help you avoid contamination of the COVID-19 virus when touching things or objects in public spaces. When traveling, you are sure to touch door handles, toilet sinks, and more.
3. Hand sanitizer
Maintaining cleanliness is a mandatory thing that must always be done by anyone, anywhere. One of them is maintaining hand hygiene because hands are a very vulnerable part of the body and can easily become a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. The impact caused by not maintaining hand hygiene can be mild to severe due to being attacked by the COVID-19 virus. So the best way to prevent being infected with COVID-19 is to use a hand sanitizer.
4.Extra clothes
Bring extra clothes to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus through the clothes you wear. Although contracting the airborne virus can be prevented by wearing a mask and keeping your distance, bringing extra clothing will help minimize the risk of catching the COVID-19 virus.
Health & Hygiene
1.Wash your hands regularly
Maintaining cleanliness is very important in an era of a pandemic like this, so don’t forget to be diligent in washing your hands using soap and running water.
2.Maintain a safe distance (6 feet or 2 arms-length)
The spread of the COVID-19 virus can occur because of close contact or touching each other. We don’t know what the other people are already holding, so it’s better to avoid getting too close. People can coughs or sneezes when near you, and even when talking, humans can spray small liquid droplets from their mouth or nose – which they may already contaminate with the COVID-19 virus.
3.Always wear a mask in public
COVID-19 is a disease that can spread through the air, so by using a mask, you are minimizing the risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. Not only does it reduce the risk of catching the virus, but using your mask also reduces the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus to other people.
4.Clean and disinfect surfaces
When you want to touch something that other people have touched, spray it first using a disinfectant or at least using a hand sanitizer. Disinfecting can eliminate germs on surfaces such as door handles, etc.
Author: Enjoy Shanghai
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