Countries are now lifting their travel bans and opening to tourism again. While traveling is not the same as before, it can still be enjoyable whether for business or leisure. The key is to prepare essentials that will help you protect yourself and other people around you.
Here are must-have travel essentials in a new world.
Face Masks
Face masks are now considered essential for travel to minimize risks of exposure. Airlines and airports, for instance, require passengers to wear masks. Trains and public transportation also require face covers.
There are different masks that you can use for travel such as disposable surgical masks and cloth masks.
If you prefer to use the disposable type, you can buy face mask cases to store your masks, keep them clean, dry, and dust-free. One case can hold multiple masks, and it is easy to pack in your luggage or carry-on.
As for reusable cloth masks, make sure to choose comfortable ones that are breathable and soft on the skin. Some reusable types are designed with pockets for filters. Make sure to pack extras of cloth masks too.
Face masks can be stylish too as these come in different designs. If you want to keep it simple, choose plain and light-colored masks so you can easily see if you need to replace them with fresh ones.
Choose masks that have two or three layers. As a reminder, make sure that masks fit snugly around the nose, mouth, under your chin, and the sides of your face. The fit is important in keeping you and other people protected as it filters the air you breathe. Experts recommend avoiding the use of N95 masks to reserve them for health workers.
Face Shield
Planning to travel by air? Some airlines are already requiring passengers to wear face shields along with face masks, especially if you are flying economy class. Wearing a face shield is like having your own bubble of protection.
Droplets are spread through coughing, sneezing, and talking. A face shield covers your face completely with transparent plastic or acrylic material. It covers from the top of your forehead until a few centimeters below your chin.
Wearing a face shield serves as extra protection from other fluids or droplets. It also effectively keeps you from touching your face.
There are face shields that are designed to be lightweight which are convenient to wear for travel. Generally, they come in different kinds such as hat-type, helmet-type, eyeglasses type, and head straps.
Hand Soap and Sanitizer
Pack a travel-size liquid soap, a small hand soap, or travel soap paper sheets. In the new world, handwashing is your best friend. After all, handwashing is more effective than sanitizers. It effectively reduces all types of germs on your hands.
So why bother packing sanitizers? In the absence of water, use sanitizers to clean your hands. Choose those with at least 60% alcohol content.
Disinfecting Wipes
Carry travel-sized disinfecting wipes. This is so you can disinfect surfaces and objects that you might need to touch and to avoid the spread of germs.
For instance, your phone is one of the things that you regularly use during travel. Clean it regularly with disinfecting wipes.
Reusable Zip Bags
Money is one of the most frequently touched objects during travel. Since you can’t really wipe rubbing alcohol or disinfectant on paper bills, you can store money, especially loose changes from purchases, using reusable zip bags.
This is a convenient way of organizing money. You can separate the money you received from other people from the money that you have in your wallet.
Going for contactless payments is the best option. However, not every travel destination offers cashless payment.
A reusable zip bag is also helpful in storing a used fabric mask until you can clean it. This will help you avoid contaminating other objects in your bag or purse.
Reusable Water Bottle or Flask
Stay hydrated during travel by investing in a reusable water bottle or flask. Keeping hydrated is essential for your immune system to stay in top shape.
There are different types of flasks that you can choose from. Some can keep your drink hot or cold for several hours, while some are built to resist impact.
There are also water bottles that come with filters. These can remove odor, bacteria, parasites, and chemical contaminants from your water.
Aside from the health and safety benefits and peace of mind that having your own water bottle can give you, it also helps save you some money from buying water in single-use bottles. In some travel destinations, drinking water can be very expensive!
Travel-pack Vitamins and Medicine
There are vitamins that you can buy in travel-packs. The last thing that you want to happen is to get sick in a foreign country. Prevention is always better than treating, so pack your vitamins in your carry-on or checked luggage.
It is also essential to pack a few over-the-counter medications that you can buy for pain, fever, diarrhea, hyperacidity, allergies, or cough. Buy from your trusted pharmacy before you travel.
Travel Laundry Detergent
This is great when you want to pack light. With a travel laundry detergent, you can wash your clothes and underwear on your trip.
Since traveling in a new world requires face covers, you can also use travel laundry detergent to clean them too. Fabric masks should be cleaned after use, and these can be washed along with your regular laundry.
Lightweight Blanket or Scarf
Some airlines have stopped providing blankets to passengers to reduce the risk of contamination. Stay warm and comfortable on long flights or road trips by packing your own lightweight blanket or a scarf.
There are compact and lightweight blankets that you can buy. Some blankets can dry fast, so you can include that in your laundry and have a fresh, clean blanket in no time. You can also choose a travel-sized blanket that comes in a carrying case that can double as a pillow.
Traveling in a new world can be safe, comfortable, and enjoyable as long as you prepare the essentials and practice safety precautions such as physical distancing. Make a list of everything you need before you go, and make sure to stay healthy before your trip. Safe travels!
