Feel Prepared and Confident Travelling.

Mar 16, 2022 | Sapphire Blue Travel Blog

On November 1^st 2021, Australia recommenced international flights, while Omicron was becoming a variant of concern in other parts of the world. Just as we were about to spread our wings, this new threat made many questions, whether to risk travel? This blog looks at twelve things to help you feel prepared & confident travelling in 2022. For the most part, travel within Australia is open. We can even board a plane for most countries. However, travel can be confusing and scary, with Omicron running rampant and different entry requirements and testing protocols. Having a mindset ready to travel in this living with covid situation is part of the journey.

first flight post covid

Omicron

Over the last few weeks, as Omicron becomes more widespread and systems are again under strain. It could be easy to say why bother, and I get that. Giving up is not the only option. We can travel informed and with alternate plans. I suggest that you look at how countries with high numbers deal with this new Variant. Even though many places have not gone into lockdown completely, restrictions have limited movement or gatherings in many areas, which could affect your plans. All the health advice out there still places great importance on masks, hand hygiene, social distancing as much as possible, and being fully Vaccinated. As long as we practice these things and any other safety recommendations, we are reducing (not eliminating) the risk. We can travel with covid around, and we can also be careful, mitigate the risk and have a blast.

Twelve things to help you Feel Prepared & Confident travelling in 2022

Travel on your terms and take baby steps. As you grow in confidence in things opening up and staying open, you will be more confident going further.
Keep an eye on government pages regarding rules that affect your plans. Watch inbound and outbound, what will you need on your arrival home.
Check that your country’s international vaccine certificate is accepted in the countries you plan on visiting and what you need to get to allow freedom if it is not.
Research any extra expenses like a covid test, quarantine if sick and extra paperwork.
What will be required to do if you got covid while travelling.
When making a booking, check the cancellation policies and refund policies. Include excursions and other activities, not just flights, hotels and other big items.
Use resources that let you know what countries are open, what the level of risk is and what they require for travellers as far as vaccines, paperwork and do they still require quarantine. See below for some links to resources I use.
Watch how those countries that have been open for a while are tracking and what is happening there.
Be aware of new conditions (like Covid testing). As your departure date gets closer, keep an eye on your destination for changes in status, case numbers and freedom to move.
Have a backup plan in case you find the situation changes. This plan could include having the resources to pay for quarantine or new flights to get home.
Get travel insurance that covers you, including for covid.
My motto for the last two years has been “hold your plans loosely,” and I would suggest that you go into planning with the mindset that things COULD change.

Be Prepared and Be Confident

I am excited to see every step back to open travel, but for now, I am content to take baby steps, to celebrate the plans that come together and keep safe and educated in the process. Travel is a privilege, and because of that fact, for many of us, it is a choice. We can choose when and where we travel. Our desire may be to travel next week, but our gut says to hold off, which is ok. Travel as you feel confident and remember we are in a much better place in some ways than last year. We need to get through this omicron wave; like Alpha and Delta, it will pass.

I still can not believe that we are free to make plans and see them through. Over the last 18 months, we have had two trips cancelled and three other plans cancelled before booking anything. All this and being classed a close contact after my Perth trip has left me somewhat uneasy. But Phil and I are still prepared to try and travel. Phil and I have a few trips on the table for this year, but we will not book until closer to the travel time. We hold our plans loosely, and we are prepared to scrap them if needed. We are looking to the day of our first overseas trip, and we look forward to sharing about it when the time comes.

The more we educate ourselves, the more we will feel prepared & confident travelling. Covid is going to be a part of our lives for a while. Don’t let Covid stop us more than it needs to.

Let me hear from you

Whether baby steps or diving headfirst into travel, I would love to hear what you are doing to feel prepared and build your confidence in travelling in 2022 and beyond.