5 Tips for Travelling Families in the COVID Era

If your family is anything like mine, then you’ve got a serious case of the travel bug. We’ve been cooped up for too long, and we can’t wait to see the world!

But, what is travelling going to be like this summer? Is it safe to leave the country… or even your local area?  

I can’t tell you whether you should travel or not. For that ever-changing information, you should follow the latest recommendations from the NHS.  

But if you do decide to enjoy some post-vaccination jet-setting, here are a few things you can do to protect your family and make those around you feel safer.  

Vaccine or Not, Mask Up!

Mask guidelines are anything but clear. Some say that vaccinated people should wear them, and others say there’s no need. 

But one thing is for sure. Wearing a mask makes those around you feel more comfortable. And when you’re a guest in another city or country, you should do everything you can to respect your hosts. 

You can’t expect others to know that you’ve been vaccinated, so wear a mask when it’s appropriate. 

Not only that, but you can still catch COVID-19 even if you’ve been vaccinated. The likelihood of experiencing uncomfortable symptoms is very low. But even mild symptoms are enough to make your holiday miserable. And, you’ll have to deal with foreign hospitals and quarantine measures. It’s just not worth it! It’s also important to get tested before and after you travel. Rapid PCR testing helps protect those around you by ensuring you aren’t sick before you travel. Similarly, it can put your mind at ease that you haven’t brought the virus back with you. Getting tested can also help you satisfy the testing requirements that some destinations have in place.

Bring Antimicrobial Jackets

If you’re flying, taking a bus or train, or planning to take public transport, you should invest in antimicrobial jackets. These jackets act as a shield against COVID-19 and all other harmful microbes such as bacteria and allergens.  

COVID-19 can cling to other clothing for up to a week.  

We plan to travel with the new GAMMA jacket by Wear Graphene. GAMMA is made with a versatile and naturally antimicrobial material called graphene. No germs or viruses can survive on its surface, even if you roll around on the floor of a tube station. 

GAMMA has a lot of other benefits for travellers too. Graphene is the strongest known material, and at just 500 grams, it’s ultra-light. GAMMA is nearly indestructible (VERY important if you have kids!), and it packs down to the size of a t-shirt—perfect for packing in a carry-on bag.  

Graphene is also an effective insulator, so it can keep you warm or cool in any climate on the globe. If you love outdoor activities (recommended during COVID-era travel), GAMMA will protect you from water, wind and UV light. It’s even insect-repellent!  

When you get home, you can put GAMMA in the washing machine with the rest of your washing. It doesn’t get much easier than that.  

GAMMA is a great buy for COVID-era travel, but it’s also a great travel jacket in general. It’s guaranteed for life, so you won’t need another one!  

If you want to add an antimicrobial layer of protection to your summer holiday, don’t wait to order your GAMMA jacket. You can still get 40% off GAMMA if you order soon using this link.  

Avoid Public Toilets

When you’re travelling, you often have to use public facilities. This summer, you’ll need to be extra mindful of your pit stops.   

One of the more nefarious ways that COVID spreads is via faecal matter (I know it’s gross, but you need to know!).  

When an infected person uses the toilet and flushes without closing the lid, COVID can spread all over the room. This means that public toilets can be especially easy places to pick up traces of the virus, even if you don’t use the toilet yourself.  

Remember to take care of your business before you leave your accommodation. If you need to take a toilet stop on the go (inevitable with kids), try to find a toilet in a restaurant or hotel. They are more likely to be regularly disinfected.  

Avoid toilets in airports, bus and metro stations, fast food restaurants, markets and petrol stations. Also, avoid using the toilet on planes and trains if possible. 

Plan Outdoor Activities

If you’re visiting Italy to go to indoor museums and eat at small bistros, you may be disappointed. These places are likely to be closed or subject to strict social distancing limits.  

You may need to modify your holiday to accommodate the changes that COVID-19 has brought to the world. One way to do this is to focus on outdoor activities.  

Outdoor activities like camping, hiking and going to the beach are some of the safest you can do. And, there’s plenty of potential for fun and adventure.  

If you’re not typically the outdoors type, you could start by planing a half-day hike closer to home Or, you can book a cabin instead of pitching a tent. There are many peaceful retreats in nature that have activities for families. Many of them don’t require extensive trekking or heavy lifting.  

Don’t Travel Far

Don’t set your sights too far this summer. We’ll be staying near home, but travel to Europe should be safe too.  

Travelling too far will put you at greater risk of having to alter your plans. Remember that anything can change these days, as COVID-19 is still very much in play. Even if you’re vaccinated, the UK can still issue travel restrictions for foreign countries, and those countries can restrict entry and exit. 

If you travel to South America or SE Asia and an outbreak happens in your area, you may be forced to stay for longer than you had planned. Or, you may have to make a tough decision on whether to end your holiday early.  

Alternatively, if you travel to France, it will be much easier to get back home if anything unexpected happens.  

Have a Safe Adventure This Summer

This summer, we’re finally going to be able to travel again. But that doesn’t mean you should go all out and plan the holiday of your dreams. 

Whether we like it or not, COVID-19 will still dictate our holiday plans. We’ll need to wear masks and adjust the activities that we do. We’ll probably need to spend a lot more time outdoors, and we may not be able to return to our favourite places from the past.  

However, COVID-19 can’t stop us from having a fulfilling and fun adventure. It might even be a blessing in disguise. Now, you’ll have the opportunity to experience travel as you never have before. Get outdoors, explore your local area or spend some quality time visiting relatives or old friends. There are plenty of ways to have a fantastic holiday in the COVID-era. 

Before you go, protect yourself with masks, hand sanitiser and antimicrobial clothes like the GAMMA jacket. Remember, you can take 40% off GAMMA if you order here. Learn more at weargraphene.com. 

This summer, it’s time to get out of the house and explore the world again. Make the most of your travels and stay safe with the tips above.  

Happy Trails!