These apps and websites will not only help you attune to the ‘new normal’ but will also double as a COVID-19 travel checklist. By Meenakshi Maidas
If you are planning to travel anywhere soon, then you better tick off things from your COVID-19 checklist, apart from your usual travel checklist. Starting from various documents and guidelines, you wouldn’t want to miss out on any point that will stop you from entering your destination. We’ve put together a list of apps and sites that will double as your COVID-19 travel checklist.
Choosing a destination
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First and foremost, while deciding on a destination, always check the COVID-19 situation in the destination country. For this, you can access the country’s official websites like the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for India or the travel checklist provided by Canadian government’s official site. You can also access the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s country-wise guidelines or try their COVID-19 real-time map to see the number of cases in a particular country.
Noting COVID-19 requirements
If you have zeroed down on the destination, check if that country is ready to take you in, too. For this, you can make use of Google Travel or Sherpa that will provide you information about your destination and the travel requirements needed to enter or exit the country. Alternatively, head over to any airlines’ website for all the latest updates.
Booking tickets
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Once you are done with the research on your destination, start booking your tickets. Make sure to opt for flexible bookings. The situation in a country can change within days, so book tickets on those airlines that are giving flexible fares. Apps like App in the Air and Hopper not only provide flexible booking options but also offer new health features, which give you the option to block middle seats, reports Wall Street Journal.
Accumulating COVID-19-related documents
Don’t forget to carry all the COVID-19 related documents (such as vaccination certificates and COVID-19 test results) in both, digital and physical forms. Use apps like Microsoft lens to scan printed copies. Keep a tab on the document requirements of the destination country and double-check the type of COVID-19 test that is accepted.
Getting insured
If you think travel insurance is necessary, ensure it also covers COVID-19 related issues.
And always, be responsible and mask up!
Editor’s Note: Keeping the current situation of the pandemic in mind, T+L India recommends every reader to stay safe, and take all government-regulated precautions in case travel at this time is absolutely necessary. Please follow our stories on COVID-19 for all the latest travel guidelines.
Related: How To Link Your Passport With Your COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate