With the COVID-19 vaccination drive on the rise and travel restrictions lifting across the globe, there is a good chance that you would want to step out of your house after lockdown and plan a trip with friends and family.
While you must be eager to reunite with friends and family or explore new destinations, there are still certain restrictions issued by the government of India for you to safely reach your destination. Be it a cross-state road trip or domestic or international travel, there is a list of essentials that you need to carry with you every time.
1. Face mask and shield
Face masks are one of the most crucial barriers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection, hence making it a part of the list of travel essentials during COVID-19. Additionally, some people also use a face shield along with the mask to enhance safety.
Owing to the importance, public places have made face masks mandatory for visitors. Besides, people travelling by air, train or road are also required to wear a face mask throughout the journey as per domestic and international travel guidelines. Individuals not wearing a face mask in India can also be penalised with a fine, as per the directions of the State and Central Government.
2. Sanitizer
The second most important item on the list of travel essentials in COVID-19 is a sanitizer as it can be used to disinfect your hands and the surface you come in contact with. While it can be difficult to wash hands with soap and water when outside the house, sanitizer acts as an instant and effective alternate.
Health and medical experts recommend using a sanitizer with at least 70% or higher alcohol content to kill the virus and prevent the spread of infection. Further, there are sanitizers for different purposes such as hand sanitizer, surface disinfectant, and baby sanitizer.
3. PPE
Personal protective equipment, popularly known as PPE, is among the crucial things that you need to pack in your travel essentials kit when travelling during COVID-19. It is like a bodysuit that adds an extra layer of protection and keeps you from coming into contact with an infected person or contaminated surface.
However, PPEs are required when travelling either during the surge in the spread of infection or to a place with cases exceeding the normal range.
4. Disinfectant wipes
Besides sanitizers, disinfectant wipes are also a good choice to clean the surface. Wet wipes gentry dissolve the dirt and wipe away the bacteria and virus, thereby ensuring maximum safety. Further, most of the wet wipes make use of essential oils with base cream or gel instead of alcohol or other chemical disinfectants, making them a safe choice for sensitive skin, especially for babies.
You can also use wet wipes to clean high touch surfaces like smartphones, keyboards, switches, doorknobs, lift buttons, among others.
5. Brass key
Copper and copper alloys like brass are inherently antimicrobial. Hence, it is used to create safety pocket tools like a key to avoid coming into contact with high touch surfaces. They are designed to fit in the thinnest pocket of your jeans or wallet and are convenient to push buttons while using the lift, card machines, etc. Some of them even have a hook at the back to help you open door handles.
All in all, they help you avoid direct contact with surfaces and reduce the risk of infection. Further, the antimicrobial properties of Brass do not let the virus that causes the COVID-19 infection to stay for longer.
6. Disposable gloves
Yet another essential item to avoid directly touching possible contaminated surfaces are gloves. Similar to a face mask that acts as a barrier for your nose and mouth, gloves protect your hands, thereby reducing the risk of infection.
The reason why it is recommended to use disposable gloves is that your hands tend to frequently touched surfaces, thus making the gloves highly susceptible to infection.
7. Power bank
Extensive use of smartphones leads to quick battery draining and this might cause huge chaos when travelling. Further, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and implemented safety restrictions like social distancing, one would be sceptical about using mobile chargers installed at public places.
This is when power banks prove to be a saviour. They provide you with a stable and ample power supply to charge your smartphone and continue using it until you reach your destination.
8. Seat cover
This may sound weird but is a highly essential part of the travel essentials kit in the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when travelling by flight or train. They are made of medical-grade material and have elasticated edges to fit different seat sizes.
Using a seat protecting cover will ensure your safety and comfort while travelling without having to worry about the spread of infection.
9. Smartphone sanitizer
There are several smartphone sanitizers available in the market that make use of UV rays to sanitize mobile equipment like phones, earpieces, and other essentials like your debit/credit cards, specs, sunglasses, jewellery and more. Such innovative devices are known to kill 99.99 per cent of harmful bacteria and viruses, thereby reducing the risk of infection.
Owing to the extensive use of smartphones and other essentials while travelling, it is imperative to keep them clean and hygienic.
10. No-touch thermometer
Last but not least on the list of essentials that one should carry while travelling amid the COVID-19 pandemic is a no-touch thermometer. As thermal screening is mandatory at public places, airports and railway stations, it will help you keep a check on your body temperature and avoid chaos at the entry.
Unlike traditional thermometers, this device makes use of infrared to measure the body temperature within 1.18 inches of the centre of the forehead without any physical contact. Furthermore, they are lightweight, give accurate temperature readings, and can be easily accommodated in your suitcase.
Carry these travel essentials on your trip amid the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure maximum safety and have a happy journey. In case you are travelling with your old parents, let Emoha’s team of experts give you some safety tips. Furthermore, if you require COVID home care services for your elders back home while you are travelling, you can get in touch with us and we will be happy to help you. For us, it is always #EldersFirst
