Is It Safe To Travel During The Covid-19 Pandemic?

[:en]Is it safe to travel overseas? What do we need to prepare for safe travels? 

(Travel lanes, taking boosters before travel, regular ART while overseas, compulsory PCR test on return, mask wearing, good hand hygiene while overseas to minimise infection, Insurance.)

As global economies move towards reopening up to travel and tourism to bolster ailing economies, quarantine-free holidays via vaccinated travel lanes have begun to be a real prospect again. You might be wondering though, is it safe to take that long-awaited holiday? How can we prepare ourselves to ensure our safety and health if we decide to travel again amidst an ongoing pandemic?

Before Departure

• Do your research on the local COVID-19 outbreak situation and level of control at your travel destination to inform your choice to travel now
• Optimise physical health
  • Complete your full primary series of COVID-19 vaccinations to protect against infection
  • If eligible, consider receiving your booster dose of COVID-19 vaccinations to further reduce your risk of infection
  • Ensure all other relevant travel vaccinations are up to date – e.g. annual influenza vaccination, country-specific mandatory vaccination requirements such as yellow fever
  • Ensure any underlying chronic medical conditions are optimised and stable well before your travel period

• Familiarise yourself with the local authority health and travel guidelines from both domestic and travel destination sources e.g. need to plan for pre-departure PCR swab test in Singapore, or have access to contact tracing apps (you may visit https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/ for more information)
• Ensure you are covered with adequate travel health insurance, and have some idea of the local health infrastructure and system should you need to use them
• Book necessary pre-departure/pre-arrival COVID-19 PCR swab tests in Singapore beforehand, as required by local and destination authorities
• Be prepared for potential last-minute changes – for example if there are changes by countries to quarantine requirements, or should there be problems with your pre-flight COVID-19 test results, do be mentally prepared that these scenarios do occur

During Your Travels

• Consider using ART self-kits and a thermometer to check your own health regularly
• Wear a medical grade mask while traveling even if not required by local authorities, as this adds protection against infection
• Observe good hand hygiene during travel – regularly sanitising your hands, avoiding high touchpoint surfaces or touching your face at all times
• Taking supplements that can boost your immunity during travel, such as vitamin C and zinc
• Prioritise getting sufficient rest and sleep (7-8 hours per night for adults), and hydrate adequately (at least 2-3 litres of water) especially if you are on the move during the day
• Maintain a safe distance from others and avoid crowds as much as possible

On Return

• Ensure you comply with the necessary on-arrival COVID-19 testing, and local authority’s requirements for quarantine if any
• Prepare the logistics of how you might safely quarantine until your on-arrival PCR result is available
• Monitor your own health after arrival back home – perform regular voluntary ART testing or see a doctor if you are feeling unwell, even if after arrival PCR is done and negative
• You may visit our Healthsprings clinic such as Woodleigh Family Clinic if you are feeling unwell. Our clinic are one of the MOH-certified vaccination clinics in Singapore, feel free to book your Sinopharm vaccinations with us.

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