Holiday travel safety tips during COVID-19

Many people are planning to travel to celebrate Christmas, New Year’s or other special events this holiday season.

With COVID-19 cases surging in some parts of the world and more transmissible variants (that is, Delta, and Omicron), it is essential to remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, get vaccinated as soon as it is your turn and adhere to public health and social measures at all times, regardless of your vaccination status, to help prevent transmission.

This is especially important if you plan to travel over the holidays, since you may be exposed to the coronavirus while travelling. Even if you have a negative COVID-19 test before your trip, you could still be in the early incubation stage of illness, so it is important to stay vigilant.

Here are 6 ways to protect yourself and those around you during the holiday season.

Advice if you are travelling

No matter whether you are taking a plane, train, bus, jeepney, ferry, tuk-tuk, ride-hailing taxi, truck or car, if you are travelling for the holidays, it is essential to keep up preventive measures to protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19. Get vaccinated as soon as it is your turn and take all the protective measures you can before, during and after travel.

• Plan ahead. Get vaccinated as soon as it is your turn. Learn more about vaccination.
• Even if you’re fully vaccinated, keep up protective measures including keeping at least 1 metre away from other passengers when possible, wearing a mask that fully covers your nose, mouth and chin, covering your coughs and sneezes, and keeping your hands clean. Take extra masks, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes with you when you travel.
• When possible, open windows in your car, bus or other vehicle to increase ventilation. Learn more about ventilation.
• Follow local, national and international health and travel guidelines based on where you are travelling.
• Do not travel if you’re feeling unwell.

Worried about your own health?

Are you over 60 years old, pregnant or have an underlying health condition that puts you at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19?

Follow the steps above for safer travel. Additionally, stay flexible to change your travel plan if the risk of coronavirus infection is high and do not travel if you’re feeling unwell.

Visiting someone at risk of severe illness from COVID-19?

Are you visiting someone who is at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus? Get vaccinated as soon as it is your turn. If you are fully vaccinated, keep up protective measures including keeping at least 1 metre away from others when possible, wearing a mask, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning hands, and opening windows when possible. Postpone your visit if you are feeling unwell.

Consider safer alternatives such as meeting outdoors, or connecting virtually or by phone. Be open to changing your plans to avoid putting others’ health at risk of COVID-19.

Find answers to other common questions about travel during the pandemic.

Take care when you arrive

When you reach your destination, continue to take all the precautions to keep yourself and those around you safe from COVID-19.

• Keep a distance of at least 1 metre while disembarking, in queues and in transport.
• Follow COVID-19 guidelines from local authorities when you arrive at stations, ports and airports.
• When possible, open windows in your hotel or other accommodation to increase ventilation.
• Report to medical authorities if you have any symptoms of COVID-19. While COVID-19 can be asymptomatic, the most common symptoms are fever, dry cough and fatigue. Other symptoms that are less common include loss of taste or smell, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes), sore throat, headache, muscle or joint pain, skin rash, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, chills and dizziness. Learn more about symptoms.
  • If you have these symptoms, stay at your accommodation and call a health-care provider or COVID-19 hotline to find out when and where to get a test, and what other steps you need to take. People who have had close contact with someone who is or may be infected may also consider quarantining and testing. Again, follow local guidance.
  • If you have shortness of breath, or pain or pressure in the chest, seek medical attention immediately. Call a health-care provider or hotline in advance to know where to go.

Finally, let’s #DoItAll, travel safely and enjoy the holiday season!