As quarantine restrictions are starting to ease up in some parts of the country, we may soon include leisurely travel back into our plans. And while it’s completely normal to feel a bit anxious going back into the outside world, there are precautions that we can take to minimise the risk of getting infected by this you-know-what.

In this article, we’ve curated a list of travel essentials that you should keep on your person once you finally go away on that long-overdue holiday.

Masks

By this time, almost everyone in the world is familiar with masking up. These masks curb the spread of infection by limiting the particles we expel and inhale when people speak or breathe.

Who Should Wear a Mask?

According to the World Health Organisation, medical masks are best used in clinical settings and by people who feel unwell or are caring for sick individuals. The WHO also recommends medical masks for high-risk groups, including people over 60 and those with underlying health conditions. The rest of the general public can wear a fabric face mask, as long as they’re not in a clinical environment.

Non-Medical Masks Should Be Made of Three Layers of Fabric

• Inner Layer of Absorbent Material, Like Cotton
• Middle Layer Should be Non-Woven and Non-Absorbent, Like Polypropylene
• Outer Layer Should be Non-Absorbent Material, Like Polyester Blends

Depending on the Length of Your Holiday or Trip

It would help if you packed extra masks with you. Disposable masks should never be worn for more than a day under non-clinical circumstances, and cloth masks should also be washed after every use. If you’re using fabric masks, you can use your spares while the used ones are waiting to dry. Or you can opt to keep used ones sealed while you use your reserves during the duration of your trip.

Packing extra masks will also ensure that you get to complete your itinerary. Most establishments that are open right now are requiring that guests wear masks for everyone’s safety. Having at least a fresh one in your bag will save you a trip to the store if the one you’re wearing rips or snaps.

Hand Sanitiser

According to medical experts, keeping our hands clean is one of the best ways to minimise the risk of infection. Throughout the day, there’s no telling how many surfaces we’ve touched, and we can only begin to imagine how contaminated our hands can be. People can catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces then touching their eyes, nose or mouth without disinfecting their hands first.

When choosing a hand sanitiser, go for something that contains at least 60% alcohol. If you’re unsure of the concentration of the sanitiser you’re getting, it’s better to go with pure alcohol instead, provided that it’s at least 60% concentration. These are readily available in most chemists, shops and supermarkets. It will also be fairly easy if you brought a travel sized dispenser in your travel bag, along with a first-aid kit, so you can use it anywhere.

Sanitising with alcohol-based products should still be used in conjunction with washing your hands. Soap and water can remove a broader range of germs from the hands, as well as chemicals and dirt.

Disinfecting Wipes

Like your hotel room’s door and your restaurant table, high-touch surfaces can be quickly disinfected with the proper sanitising wipes. Commonly used objects like phones, keys, door handles and lift buttons can harbour contaminants that can stick to our hands and might eventually make their way onto our faces.

When disinfecting with these, make sure to wipe in one direction, instead of back and forth, to help reduce the spread of germs.

Digital Thermometer

The most common symptom of viral infection is fever. It’s one of our body’s ways of fighting off microscopic invaders. By packing a digital thermometer with you, you can quickly learn if you’re having a fever or just feeling warm.

The following thermometer readings generally indicate a fever:

• Rectal, ear or temporal artery temperature of 38 C or higher
• Oral temperature of 37.8 C or higher
• Armpit temperature of 37.2 C or higher

Non-contact thermometers are bulkier, but they can give relatively quicker readings, and non-contact means less chance of viral transmission. If you can’t afford to pack something the size of a non-contact thermometer, traditional contact thermometers will suffice—just make sure to disinfect them before and after every use.

Reusable Water Bottles

With public drinking stations being closed and drinking from a cup of glass which you’re unsure where it came from, packing your bottle for water can give you peace of mind. You can even take empty bottles through airport security and refill them once you get through. Just make sure to wash them regularly with soap and water so you don’t defeat the purpose of bringing your clean bottle with you.

Reusable Cutlery and Straws

With travelling comes eating, and you’ll never know when you’ll run across some roadside store that offers yummy treats. You can give these establishments the benefit of the doubt that they take sanitising seriously, but it’s better if you use your own. Not only will this ensure the cleanliness of what you’re using, but it will reduce waste from disposables, as well.

Power Banks

This pandemic has triggered a massive surge in cashless and non-contact transactions. When you have all your identification, hotel reservations, airline tickets and credit card information stored in your electronic devices, you can get in a very sticky situation when they run out of power.

Vitamins

They can keep our immune systems functioning at their best. This is especially essential when we’re out on holiday; we tend to sleep odd hours and not pay much attention to our nutrition. Taking vitamin supplements that meet your daily requirements will ensure that you are fit enough to fight off most infections.

Public Transportation Worries?

This part of travelling is what’s probably giving most people doubts and anxiety. If you’re flying, you can choose to bring your vehicle to the terminal and leave it with a reliable airport parking service. You can even book a rental car from your destination, so you can stay safe and won’t have to deal with the anxiety of taking public transportation.

Ready to Go?

If you want to ensure you have a safe travel experience, just make sure to pack all the essentials on the list and adhere to government-mandated safety protocols. Mask up, wash your hands, socially distance and enjoy your holiday!

Alpha Airport Parking offers affordable, secure open-air and undercover parking options for travellers going through the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne airports. Get in touch with us today for more information.