Let’s face it! The official lockdown of a couple of months felt more
like a year. And, in all this time, many of us have missed travelling more than
anything else. Several people realised that binge-watching shows and baking
bread are only fun for so long. We all wished we could pack our bags and go on
a vacation.
Finally, some good news on that front is here. The government is now
easing up restrictions and gradually lifting the lockdown, which means people
can go travelling again. However, travelling post lockdown will be a completely
different experience as opposed to touring before the pandemic. We will have to
wear masks, and maintain a safe distance from other people, get our temperature
checked at airports and train stations, and even get tested if necessary.
Even if the pandemic has set you back financially, you can treat
yourself to a vacation with a travelling loan. Many lenders offer attractive
travel loan interest rates to cover all trip-related expenses.
You can check with your lenders, to ascertain what costs they will
cover. You can even use an online travel loan calculator to accurately plan
your EMIs.
Are you planning a trip anytime soon? If so, this article will tell
you everything you need to know to stay safe. Read more to find out how and
where to travel after the lockdown.
Travel essentials post-lockdown
Before you get any post lockdown travel ideas, install the Arogya Setu app on your phone. You
should carefully go through the quarantine policies and other entry
requirements specific to your travel destination. Essential items that you must
pack include:
Masks and gloves
Any list of travel essentials post lockdown has to start with masks.
Carry at least a couple of masks, or preferably a whole pack, to be on the
safer side. You should also get a few pairs of gloves. That way, you won’t have
to make direct contact with elevator buttons, door handles, etc. If you desire
additional protection, you could use a face shield or an entire PPE kit.
Disinfectant wipes
If you plan to use public transport while travelling post lockdown,
you must carry disinfectant wipes with you. Before sitting, wipe down your
seat, armrests, or any surface around you that could have infectious droplets
on it. Be careful not to use the same wipe on your hands or face. Also, wipe
your mobile phone, handbag/wallet, watch, shades/glasses, etc., from time to
time.
Hand sanitizer
Carry a hand sanitizer on your person at all times. If you don’t
have disinfectant wipes, you should use hand sanitizer immediately after
touching objects like elevator buttons, doorknobs, etc. When transacting in
cash, sanitize your hands immediately after putting the change away.
Power banks
Avoid making payments in cash and using the ATM. Instead, use
mobile/internet banking, UPI and digital wallets. In doing so, you will be
eating up your phone battery a lot more, which is why carry a power bank to
make sure your phone doesn’t die while you are out and about.
Choose your destination carefully. Go somewhere
where the number of cases is low, and the recovery rate is high.
Some places may require visitors to quarantine
for 7-14 days, even if they are asymptomatic. Make sure you understand the
safety guidelines and quarantine policies specific to your travel destination.
Plan everything – where you will stay, what
sites you will visit, and how you will commute, etc.
Whenever you are in public, wear a mask. It
should cover your nose, mouth, and chin.
Use disinfectant wipes to clean your seat, and
other surfaces around you when using public transport.
If you must use cash, sanitize your hands
immediately after putting away the change.
Carry reusable or disposable cutlery in a
zip-lock bag. Use it whenever you go to restaurants, cafés, or anywhere you go
to eat.
Report to the airport 2 to 4 hours before
departure. That will give you enough time to go through temperature screening,
self-declaration, and other procedures.
Web check-in is mandatory.
Pregnant women, senior citizens, children below
the age of fourteen, and passengers with ailments are advised not to travel
until necessary.
Keep your mask on at all times and maintain
social distancing at the airport.
To ensure safe air travel post lockdown,
airlines require you to scan your e-boarding pass yourself.
You can carry up to 350 ml of hand sanitizer in
your cabin luggage.
Airlines are also taking several measures to ensure a safe journey
for passengers during this time. And that may cause a spike in airfares, but
you can take a travelling loan to cover this added cost and all your other
travel-related expenses. Also, you can use an online travel loan EMI calculator
to plan your repayment schedule.
Whichever hotels you are considering, visit
their websites to see how they are responding to COVID-19.
Check whether they are following government
guidelines and safety regulations.
Check whether they have a glass shield installed
at the reception desk.
See that they require their staff to wear
gloves, hairnets, and masks.
Check whether they allow guests to check-in
online and use their smartphone as a room key.
Hotels have also been taking extensive measures to ensure a safe
stay for guests during this time. To compensate for these added costs, many
hotels have increased their prices. But you can still afford a room in your
favourite hotel by taking a holiday loan. Go the lender’s website to check your
travel
loan eligibility, and use their holiday loan calculator to select a
repayment plan that works for you.
Plan a weekend getaway, a road trip, or a homestay
With the outbreak of the Coronavirus, it has been observed that
travellers prefer weekend getaways over extended trips and long vacations.
Also, people’s likeness towards road trips and homestays has increased
substantially. Homestays are considered safer as opposed to hotels, which are
crowded more often than not. Road trips are another great way to ensure travel
safety post lockdown.
There is no housekeeping, no room service, and no direct contact
whatsoever during homestays. Moreover, people are gravitating towards remote
destinations to escape a swarm of tourists, which is otherwise a possibility at
popular destinations. Also, homestays and road trips in most cases will cost
less than a hotel. That will matter especially to people who have taken a travel loan
to finance their holiday.
The Coronavirus crippled economies and industries all over the
world. Companies were pressed to downsize, and many people were laid-off. As
such, businesses could stay afloat only by cutting costs, wherever possible.
Employees were told to work remotely from their homes. Meetings and conferences
were also held online over platforms like Zoom, Skype, and Google Meets.
Management now has an entirely different approach as to what
warrants an international trip, and what doesn’t. International flights to
certain countries are still banned, and stringent budgetary restrictions have
also made businesses reluctant to send employees on international business
trips.
Also, many nations have strict quarantine policies. The business
that could otherwise be taken care of in a day or two might be delayed if
employees have to quarantine themselves for 7-14 days. Paying for their lodging
and food for such an extended period would qualify as wasteful expenditure.
Therefore, business with international clients is being conducted online for
the most part.
Places in India that are safe to visit after lockdown
If you are planning to travel after lockdown, India has a wide
variety of experiences to offer. From snow-covered mountains to expansive
deserts, and lush green forests. Some of these places are welcoming visitors
again while observing strict safety measures and adhering to the necessary
guidelines.
Chail Hills, Himachal Pradesh
If your post lockdown travel ideas include camping and hiking, Chail
Hills is the right place for you. Wherever you go in these dense forests, you
will be surrounded by lush greenery and breath-taking views. Tourist
attractions include:
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary
The Chail Palace
The Chail cricket ground of Solan, which is the
world’s highest cricket ground.
Before you visit, you must register yourself on the official state
website. You must produce a negative Covid-19 test report from an ICMR approved
lab and book a hotel at least five days in advance.
Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Despite being the oldest forest reserve in the country, the
Bori-Satpura Wildlife Sanctuary is relatively unexplored and doesn’t see as
much footfall as its counterparts. For that reason, the wilderness here is
untouched, and wildlife flourishes. There are almost fifty different mammals
and thirty species of reptiles here. It is home to tigers, leopards, sloth
bears, wild dogs, giant squirrels, and a variety of other Central Indian
species of animals and birds.
Domestic visitors are required to quarantine, only if they are
symptomatic.
Isolated Beaches
If you are unsure about where to travel after lockdown, India has
several isolated beaches that might interest you. These beaches are usually lesser
known and far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can have a
quiet, serene, and socially distanced seaside experience on any of the beaches
listed below.
Butterfly Beach, Goa
Gahirmatha Beach, Odisha
Guitar Island, Andaman
Marari Beach, Kerala
Ranpar Beach, Maharashtra
Tilmati Beach, Karnataka
All these destinations are ideal for travelling on a budget. But if
you still need financial assistance, you could take a travelling loan. Use an
online travel loan calculator to plan your repayment schedule.
Guidelines to visit nations that are popular with tourists
Country
Entry Requirements
Albania
• Temperature checks at the airport.
Bahamas
• Tourists are not required to quarantine if they have approved Bahamas Travel Health Visas, which include mandatory RT-PCR testing. • They must take the test within five days of arrival.
Bermuda
• Produce a negative Covid-19 test report • Take another test upon arrival • Adhere to health protocols issued by the local government
Brazil
• A valid visa, if their country requires one. • Travel insurance that covers Covid-19.
Ethiopia
• Produce a negative PCR test report before boarding, and at customs upon arrival. • The test should be taken within 120 hours from departure.
Jamaica
• Authorisation before check-in • Testing upon arrival • Different requirements based on the country of origin.
Maldives
• A negative RT-PCR test report. • A complete health declaration card • Thermal testing upon arrival.
North Macedonia
• No mandatory PCR tests or quarantine.
Turkey
• No mandatory PCR tests or quarantines.
UAE (Dubai)
• A negative PCR test, taken within 96 hours from boarding. • Travel health insurance. • An app to monitor their health conditions.
But what if you don’t have sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses? If you can’t arrange for a lump sum of money immediately, an EMI based personal loan for travel can be the right way to pay for a holiday. However, before availing tourism finance, it is ideal to use an online holiday loan calculator or personal loan calculator to ensure repayment affordability.
Are you looking for a credible lending institution to help you
finance your trip? Turn to Tata Capital! We provide trip loans with no
collateral, minimal paperwork, easy repayment options, and attractive travel
loan interest rates. Our loans cover all travel-related expenses,
including:
Airfares or any other transportation expenses
Hotel fares
Tour packages
Travel gear/accessories
Visit our website for more information, and to use our online holiday loan EMI calculator today.
08 February 2024
10 mins read
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