Posted on Tuesday, 20 April 2021

The threat of Covid-19 has made travel difficult if not impossible over the last year. But as restrictions ease, the possibility of taking a staycation or overseas break has become ever more real.

In order to minimise the chances of you or your family being impacted by Covid-19 - or any other viral or bacterial infection - it's a good idea to modify your travel packing list with the following travel essentials.

While many of these may be regarded as “common sense items”, it's worth checking them off your travel checklist. With a little planning, you can reduce the chances of picking up an infection.

1. Disinfecting wipes

Use them to clean the clean airplane (arm rests, seat belts, buckles, trays, touchscreen, pocket, flight attendant button, vents, headrest), hotel room and ship cabins (handles, remote controls etc.), toilet door handles, seats - or other objects you have to touch.

2. Wet Ones - Antibacterial wipes

Always included on our travel essentials list, these can be used for the locations above, but are useful for hands and seats as and when required.

3. Hand sanitiser

Since the start of the Covid pandemic hand sanitiser has become top of the list of travel essentials.

Specifically for your hands, available in spray or gel form. A range of scents are available.

TIP: Buy a large bottle of hand sanitiser and fill travel bottles (100ml or smaller) with the liquid, so you can use it on the plane. This will save you money.

Ideally hand sanitiser should not be a substitute for hand washing, but washrooms are not always nearby/available. For maximum protection, do both.

What about hand sanitiser stations in airports/resorts/theme parks etc?

Of course many locations provide hand sanitiser, but it's always good to have your own supply in case they run out or you're not near a sanitiser location.

4. Your own thermometer

Since having a high temperature can prevent you from boarding planes, ships and coaches, it's a good idea to keep tabs on your temperature with your own thermometer.

This may be especially useful if you have children whose temperature tends to fluctuate. A thermometer reading may give you a chance to cool them down - or identify a genuine fever.

Infrared thermometers are the most hygienic type - compared to mouth/rectal or ear thermometers.

5. Masks

Take a supply of masks with you, with at least one mask for each day of your trip.

If you're out in the heat sweating a lot, you may need to change masks a few times per day, so you'll need even more masks.

The cheapest and most ecological mask is a fabric mask.

6. Small bottle of hand-washing detergent

It's a good idea to pack a bottle of liquid clothes detergent for hand washing your masks. You can also use this for any other sundry garments that need to be washed.

7. Cooling towels

Having to wear a mask in hotter climates can be an unpleasant experience; a cooling towel will help cool you down.

8. Neck fan

Another effective way to cool down is by wearing a neck fan. It may look a little unorthodox, but it's an effective way of keeping cool with a mask on.

They can be charged up overnight and used during the day.

9. Portable fan

A portable fan is another easy way of staying cool in areas where you have to wear a mask. For example, you may be required to wear a mask while seated at a pool-side table or in a restaurant before your meal.

USB-based portable fans can also be charged overnight.

10. Back-up medical kit

While no-one wants to get Covid-19 or any other illness, it can happen. A back-up medical kit can help ease pain/discomfort. Alongside scissors, bandages, plasters and iodine, consider packing he following:

• Painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen
• Cold/sinus medication
• Cough drops
• Extra masks
• Any other medication you or your family need

Ensuring that you include these travel essentials on your travel packing list will save purchasing these necessities whilst you are away (which could be more costly in resort).

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