As countries are reopening up their borders, many people are planning on summer vacations just like pre-new normal era. Numerous articles have speculated about safest regions or countries to visit during COVID-19 but many were based on simple statistics or numbers. However, yesterday I found an interesting research done by Deep Knowledge Group which made a list of safest countries to visit based on data analysis.
In a recent Forbes article, titled “The 100 Safest Countries In The World For COVID-19”, a senior contributor John Koetsier shared the list of safest countries created by Deep Konwledge Group and also briefly explained how each country was analyzed.
As a traveler who has been traveling around the world for over 10 years, I have given up hope of getting back on the road until early next year. However, if you still have plans to travel during summer, consider overpacking.
Many states and countries are opening up their borders again for travelers. However, it does not seem to be the case for U.S. travelers who want to travel to EU countries. EU diplomats have told various media that, with cases increasing rapidly again in the U.S., they do not see the chance of opening the EU border to U.S. travelers.
If you have been following my articles, you would probably have a good idea on how to stay safe during summer. However, your abiding by rules and guidelines does not guarantee that others or even your destinations are doing just like you are. Is there any way you can check your destinations are operating under any safety protocols?
In a recent AFAR article, it talked about how the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) created UN-backed safety protocols and a stamp that recognize businesses and destinations following their guidelines.
We have gone through so many things this year starting from coronavirus, economic doldrums and to the high likeliness of the second wave in fall. To relieve physical and mental stress, many are now planning on summer vacations. But, is your summer vacation going to be a real getaway? Or a guilt trip?
In a recent Forbes article, titled “8 Tips To Make Your Summer Getaway A Real Vacation Instead Of A Guilt Trip” a contributor Bryan Robinson shared great insights on how to plan for safe getaways during this summer. His insights into ‘stay-cation’ and ‘day-cation’ are so interesting and useful that I highly recommend you read his article.
Some insights include:
Follow CDC suggestions if you decide to go on a vacation
Replace your getaways with stay-cation or day-cation
Make sure you are “away” even if you “stay”
As a person who has been traveling for the past 13 years, I am as desperate to travel as so many others around the world. However, with the advice from Bryan Robinson on stay-cation and day-cation, I feel like I can certainly plan something exciting even if I stay home. Please check his article if you want to have a safe getaway during this summer!
ACTION ITEM
Avoid international travel
Risk outweighs its value
Plan day-cation
You don’t have to be in Iceland to enjoy getaways
If not, stay-cation!
Why not try something entirely different and safe when we have already gone through so much?
Stores are opening up again after the long lockdown. Yet, the question remains. Where are safe places? Where should we avoid?
In a recent Bestlife article, titled “6 Places That Should Reopen Last, According to MIT Researchers” a journalist Colby Hall shared some findings by MIT researchers that were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research was interesting in a sense that researchers “juxtaposed how different locations fare in terms of importance versus transmission risk.”
The list includes:
Cafes, juice bars, and dessert parlors
Gyms
Sporting goods stores
Bookstores
Tobacco shops
Liquor stores
These businesses might be more valuable than any others to some people. But I think this article alerts and reminds us about the fact that the risk of getting infected is still prevalent. Medical staff, researchers and other health-related officials are doing their best to control the situation for our world. What can you do? At least pay attention to their advice.
ACTION ITEM
Stay informed
New findings and research are being released everyday
Be responsible
Take necessary measures as advised by researchers
Check store websites
See what measures stores are taking before the visit
Even though the second pandemic is well anticipated, the travel industry is still ready to greet eager travelers who have long been waiting. However, the situation is as chaotic as it was in the beginning of the shutdown.
My last two articles emphasized how the second wave in the fall is “inevitable”. At the same time, I understand some people still need to plan at least some minimal summer activities for their children and family.
The number of coronavirus cases top 8 million globally. Some experts say we are currently facing the second wave. But some say we are right in the middle of the first wave. Dr. Anthony Fauci indicated that the second wave in the fall is “inevitable”, hinting we are still in the first wave of coronavirus.
Air travel is up by almost 400% compared to its record-low since the pandemic. Many countries are hoping to restart international travel around the world. Yet, only yesterday, the possibility of the second wave of coronavirus during the second half of 2020 struck the world. As a frequent air traveler, I also cannot hide my skepticism over air travel.
