After months of lockdowns and restrictions, some parts of the world are slowly beginning to open up to travellers… with a few changes. With enhanced hygiene practices and new airport and airline rules, it can be difficult to know how to pack and prepare for post-lockdown travel. From hygiene necessities like masks and hand sanitiser, to practical essentials like reusable water bottles and straws, here are 9 new travel essentials to pack on your post-lockdown trip.
1. Masks and mask storage bags
A mask is perhaps the most important new essential item to pack for your post-lockdown trip. Many places like airports or attractions will require travellers to wear a mask. While some places may provide masks for free, it’s worth bringing your own mask plus a few spare ones, as you’ll need to change your mask every few hours. If you’re using reusable masks, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends storing your used masks in a sealed plastic bag while you’re on the go. A sealed plastic bag is also handy to store your clean masks before using them.
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2. Hand sanitiser
While the best way to protect yourself from germs is to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, the next best thing is hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol. You should wash your hands (or use hand sanitiser) before and after you eat, before and after you use the bathroom, and any time you touch your face and mask. Keep a few travel-sized bottles (100ml or less) in your bag with you at all times during your post-lockdown travel for peace of mind.
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3. Sanitising wipes
It’s not just your hands that need to be sanitised! Keeping high-touch surfaces clean is important too. Pack sanitising wipes to sterilise commonly used objects like your phone, keys, sunglasses, and anything that touches dirty surfaces. Remember to get special sanitising wipes for your devices so you don’t ruin the screens. You can also use wipes to disinfect your area on an aeroplane like the armrests, seatbelts, tray tables, buttons, seatback pockets, window shades, and air vents. In hotels, the hot spots include the door handles, remotes, light switches, taps, sinks, toilets and desks. Be sure to only wipe one way to help reduce the spread of germs.
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4. Digital thermometer
Fever is a common symptom of coronavirus and other illnesses, so it’s a good idea to pack a thermometer on your post-lockdown trip to keep an eye on your temperature. If you’re feeling warm, you’ll quickly be able to tell if you’re just overheated from activities or if you’re running a fever. If you do have a fever, you should not continue travelling and should call a doctor for advice. In this case, the thermometer will also be useful for monitoring your fever and giving the doctor’s important information.
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5. Nasal spray and eye drops
Aeroplane cabins and air-conditioned hotels and buildings are very dry places that cause the mucous membranes in your mouth, nose and throat to dry out. This stops them from catching germs and can leave you more vulnerable to catching viruses and other illnesses. Nasal spray and eye drops will be a new travel essential on your post-lockdown trip as they’ll help keep mucous membranes moisturised and your immune system in top shape.
6. Reusable water bottle
With many airport convenience stores and public drinking fountains now closed, and many airlines no longer serving water, it’s essential to pack a reusable water bottle on your post-lockdown travel. You can take an empty water bottle through security at the airport and refill it after you move through. Even better, your immune system will thank you for staying hydrated on the go. Just be sure to wash it thoroughly between uses.
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7. Travel snacks
If you’ve previously relied on airport stores or the airline to provide your food on the go, bringing your own snacks is about to become your new travel essential. Many airlines have stopped their in-flight meals and many airports have closed their restaurants, so you’ll need to pack enough food to keep you satisfied on your journey. Go for snacks that you don’t need to refrigerate like sandwiches, granola bars, nuts, dried fruits, popcorn, crackers or even salsas and condiments to jazz up a plain meal. It’s best to eat before you board the aircraft so you can keep your mask on as much as possible while you’re flying.
8. Reusable straws
Ready to hit the bars and restaurants on your post-lockdown trip? Don’t forget to take a straw! Good food and drink hygiene practices are critical to help stop the spread of the coronavirus and other diseases. One way you can take extra care is to use a reusable straw instead of drinking from glasses. Be sure to pack some reusable straws in your bag and place them in a sealed plastic bag after use. And don’t forget to wash thoroughly and disinfect them after each use.
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9. Portable chargers and adaptors
We’ll be travelling in a ‘contactless’ world on our post-lockdown trips, with contactless payments and check-ins becoming the norm. With everything like your credit cards, ID, tickets and important documents all held on your devices, it’s essential to pack portable chargers, backup chargers and the necessary adaptors for your destination to ensure you’re always powered up.
Are you planning an after lockdown travel adventure? What will be your new travel essentials? Let us know in the comments below!