Got the itch to travel?
As a senior, you need to take
the utmost precautionary covid measures as you embark
on your boomer backyard bucket list.
Judging by the number of enquiries that You’ve Earned It/YEI receives regarding travel and accommodation countrywide, we know that SA seniors are itching to travel, and in fact, are already embarking on “local is lekker” roadtrips and mini getaways.
YEI therefore feels the need to remind you to take the utmost precautionary covid measures when you are travelling throughout our beautiful country.
“Safecation” is a new buzz word. According to the Urban Dictionary, “staycation” used to mean “to save your relationship or make it equal after your partner has done something for you”.
It would appear that a “semantic shift” has taken place in the meaning of “safecation”. The word “safecation” has been described as “a mini getaway to destinations that are cleared for safe travel during this time.”
Stay informed
COVID’s shifting environment requires that all of us, especially higher-risk seniors, check a variety of resources for news and guidelines on travel restrictions and advisories. As a South African senior member, you are highly advised to minimize your risk of exposure to coronavirus. Should you wish to travel, even locally, you need carefully plan your trip while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. Please check out the National Institute for Communicable Diseases website before you travel.
https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/covid-19/advice-for-travellers/
Protect yourself at all times, and others
Whether you are a senior or not, you know the drill! Wear a face mask in public. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, regularly. Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol whenever entering and leaving any premises. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Cover coughs and sneezes. Avoid close contact; try to keep at least 6 feet of physical distance from others. Try and limit your contact with frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons and kiosks. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterward.
To fly, or not to fly – that is the question?
Most experts are saying that air travel is considered to be safe – this is because of how the air circulates and is filtered on aeroplanes. If you need to travel by air, you are encouraged to choose an airline that has all of the protocols in place. Try and keep at least 6 feet of social distancing space between you and other people while waiting in security lines and sitting on crowded flights. Try to book mid week travel which means you are hopefully avoiding big crowds. Take sanitized wipes along and clean your seat before sitting down. You need to wear your mask throughout the flight. Avoid standing in line to use the loo.
Road trips
Road trips usually mean you have more control over your personal space. Don’t forget to pack in several masks, disinfected wipes and hand sanitizer. Paper towels are quite useful – you can use these if you need to touch door handles, etc, when you stop and have to go to the restroom. Taking your own padkos on a road trip is probably a good idea and don’t forget to wipe down your credit card after paying for petrol, food and other necessities.
Check out the covid protocols of the accommodation places you stay in
All accommodation places are offering information on their hygiene protocols, hotel cleanliness policies, social distancing measures, masking of staff and guests, contactless payment. Most offer complimentary hand sanitizer.
Covid test
It’s a good idea to get tested before you travel. Assuming you receive a negative test, you can keep a copy of your results with you when you travel. Consider repeating the test three to five days after you return home. If at any point you test positive, stay home. Immediately isolate yourself and follow public health recommendations.
Think of your senior bucket list
as your new boomer backyard bucket list!
Article by You’ve Earned It / YEI
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hi, this is more of a question than a comment:
i will be traveling to namibia in a few weeks time. are you able to recommend an institution / business / company for medical insurance? the medical aid / fund i am using would probably not cover my stay in namibia.
Dear Dirk, that is a difficult one, we receive queries all the time in this regard and if you were flying we would recommend that you book your flight via your banks credit card which will then supply you with insurance. However having lived in Namibia (you have to visit Joes Beerhouse in Windhoek for a true Namibian meal and experience) I know that most medical aids do cover countries in the SADC region of which Namibia is one so its worth giving your insurance a call. There are several companies offering Travel insurance for seniors but we have had no experience with them, try googling “travel insurance for seniors in south africa”. Hope you come right and have an amazing trip!!! Kind regards, Angela Watkins, YEI Manager