Many countries are now easing travel restrictions and are eager to restart tourism and travel. The United States and China are the world’s leaders in travel markets, and they are eager to revive the market.

However, with the coronavirus vaccine some way off, many people are still cautious about getting on a plane and heading to somewhere new.

If you are considering going on holiday, then the first thing you should do is check the government’s official advice on travelling to that country. There may be quarantine measures in place either when you arrive at your destination, or when you return, and you will need to take this into consideration.

Furthermore, if you, or someone you are close to, are at an increased risk of Coronavirus, for example, if you are obese, have cancer, type two diabetes, or certain heart conditions, then you should probably avoid travel.

Furthermore, if you do book a holiday and you or someone you have been in contact with starts to show symptoms of Coronavirus, then you will need to cancel your holiday. Another way your holiday could not go ahead is if the country you are going to, or your own country, see a spike in cases and decide to close their borders. Therefore, it is possible that you could book a holiday and then be unable to go, which could lose you a lot of money. If you do book a holiday, you are doing so at your own risk.

The other important risk to consider is that you could get stuck abroad, while your government will do all they can to bring you back if borders closed, you may need to consider how you would cope if you got stuck abroad for longer then you planned.

If you do decide to travel, then it is essential that you act responsibly. You should read the recommended guidance and follow it strictly. Wash your hands often avoid touching your face and wear a face mask. Furthermore, carry hand-gel with you for when you cannot wash your hands with soap and water, you may want to get alcohol gel in bulk so that you are never stuck without it.

Other practical considerations include:

• Minimizing hand luggage and clean it down in order to minimize the risk of contamination.
• Where possible, use your card and avoid holding onto cash.
• Continue following social distancing measures whilst at the airport.
• Avoid the busiest times on public transport.
• Refrain from shouting or signing in the airport or on the plane.
• Wear your face mask unless: you have a medical exemption, you need to communicate with someone via lip-reading, you are avoiding harm or injury, taking medication, or to eat or drink.
• During your flight you should: stay seated as much as possible, do not change seats, follow instructions from the crew, be aware there may not be a food or drink service, and make the cabin crew aware if you feel unwell.

It is difficult to say whether travel at this time is safe. It is down to individual choice and will need to accept that there are some risks. However, many of us are trying to get back to normal, and airlines are eager for us to start travelling again. If you do decide to travel, just make sure you take all the necessary steps to keep yourself and others safe.