We hope this will help you plan and pack for your trip during this global pandemic. Even if your destination’s restrictions have been lessened, it’s best to be prepared to ensure you stay safe and you keep others you encounter safe. Please note that this list is not comprehensive but is a guideline.
General Planning and Packing Tips
If you are considering traveling in the next three to twelve months, these planning and packing tips may help you avoid issues related to Covid-19 and stay safe and healthy during your travels.
Consider a private charter. If you can afford it, these types of flights are practicing the required safety protocols, but far fewer passengers and crew are involved, allowing for less contact with large numbers of people.
Get tested. It’s important, and in many countries a new entrance requirement, to get tested. Some countries are not only requiring testing upon arrival but testing prior to arrival at the departure airport. Make sure your check the rules for the country and city you are going to be visiting. You will need to ensure you have all the necessary paperwork with you during your entire trip, and you may need multiple copies.
Bring your medical history. This is a requirement for entry into some countries. But it’s also good practice to ensure you have what you need to show officials or answer questions on required forms.
A list of your travel history. This is also a requirement for entry into some countries. Most countries are interested in your travel history for the 14 days prior to your arrival, but it would be prudent to have your travel history for the last three months, just in case.
Pack the essentials in your carry-on. We have a list of essentials below. You want to make sure you have everything you need to be safe and stay healthy right at your fingertips. You don’t want to have to dig through your suitcase before it goes into the cargo area or forget something that is very important like extra gloves and masks and hand sanitizer.
Verify your baggage. Many of the airlines have made recent changes to their baggage allowances. It’s critical that you check with your airlines for not only checked baggage but for carry-on limits, sizes, and weight.
Verify the quarantine requirements. Many of the countries who are opening their borders are still enforcing strict quarantine practices, even if you test negative and have the paperwork to prove it. It’s critical to your trip to triple check the requirements for entry into your destination country as well as entry back into your original country. You wouldn’t want to have planned a two week trip on a liveaboard and have to be stuck in quarantine for 14 days near the airport instead of on your vacation.
The Essentials (for your carry-on)
This is a recommended list of things that we would be putting in our carry-on (besides doggy travel stuff) to ensure we stay safe and healthy during our travels. This list is not comprehensive but is meant as a guideline.
Extra masks
Extra gloves
Hand sanitizer (some airlines and TSA are allowing a little larger bottles)
Alcohol wipes or baby wipes (if you’re allergic to alcohol, like I am, baby wipes are critical)
Acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen
Antihistamine (and any other medicine for allergies)
Vitamin C + Zinc fizzy tabs
Echinacea
Airsick medication (if you get airsick)
Extra zip lock baggies (good for trash, pills, storage of stuff)
A pointer or pen or toothpicks to push buttons on ATMs etc. Something that can either be disposed of or sanitized thoroughly.
What to Wear
Some people like to dress up for travel, some like to dress down. But in this new pandemic normal, your attire and belongings need to be more functional and sensible than fashionable.
Long sleeves and long pants. Preferably clothes that are comfortable, functional, and light weight but can be layered.
A small, easy-to-use travel wallet for your passport, paperwork, identification, money, and credit cards. Having something all in one place and in something that can be easily sanitized is very important.
Easy on/off shoes with socks. You definitely don’t want to be messing with shoes and you know you’re still going to have to remove them and put them back on.
Other Stuff
This is just stuff that we always bring no matter where we’re going as a “just in case they don’t sell it there” option.
Seasick medication (you just never know – some places just don’t have seasick medication)
Good sunscreen (I use spray-on greaseless no-run super duty sunscreen (SPF 50+), and you can’t always find that everywhere)
Hair ties/bands (I refuse to cut my hair short just to dive and believe it or not, you can’t always find hair bands that won’t rip out all your hair everywhere in the world)
Batteries – but this is only if you need uncommon batteries. We purchased some great underwater torches/lights one time and didn’t bring batteries, and we couldn’t find 9V batteries that fit these lights anywhere. But make sure you check your airlines; some won’t allow batteries anymore.
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (something else you can’t always find, and if you’re allergic to a lot of other stuff, this is essential)
If you have allergies, medical conditions, or anything that medical professionals need to know if they have to treat you in a foreign country, make sure you have a medical bracelet, medical card, and there’s even great medical apps for your phone. I even carry extra laminated copies of my medical info just in case.
Snacks: we always bring a little something (granola bar, dried fruit, etc.) because I have low blood sugar, but it’s a good idea for everyone that’s why dive boats usually feed you something because diving takes more out of you than you think.
Most important – have fun!
The Team at WeGotUpAndWent.com
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