Travelling during Corona times
Travelling before and during Corona
Corona changed the worldwide travel behaviour and the travel possiblities extremely. Instead of just travelling whenever and wherever it pleases someone, they now really have to think twice or maybe even three times if the tour really is that necessary and safe to execute.
But this newfound care for travel also has its advantages.
The reduced traffic on air, water and the ground is not only good for the environment, the reduced influx of passengers has also made travelling more comfortable and, in some places, faster.
Of course many branches are suffering massively under the restrictions and reduced customers, but I cannot deny that I enjoyed the unusual emptiness in the usually very busy airports.
Next to no queue for counters, check-in and security. Free seats in the waiting area, without any neighbours. An empty rows in the airplane for every passenger. Even the airport wifi suddenly works without any problems.
But in some way it also hurts, seeing an usually so busy place so empty.
Preparations are the be-all and end-all
What I noticed the most in travelling during this time is, that preparations are insanely important - even more important than they should already have been before.
Everywhere, people ask you for the reason of your journey (in my case, working in Canada), sometimes even for proof of the right to get into the country (my port-of-entry letter of the International Experience Canada). In case of a stopover in a different land, you need proof you are even allowed to have a stopover in that land - these people get separated from the other passengers directly after leaving the airplane, and are led somewhere else.
Wearing a facial mask is mandatory in the airport area and during the flight, and with no open drinks being handed out anymore, it is best to take an empty bottle with you to fill it with tap water after passing security. It is also advised to take your own disinfectant with you.
With such a small influx of people the staff takes their time for everyone, and they take time to check everything they consider important - including if you have symptoms for COVID-19, like fever or a cough.
Many countries also require a two-week quarantine after entry, and you have to present your plans for that, too - including the address of the place you will quarantine yourself and means to contact you.
The best you can do when travelling during these times is informing yourself as much as possible beforehand, about what is expected of you - in Germany, the Federal Foreign Office offers many important information, in Canada the official state website holds most of them. I myself have called three different authorities to gather information - and if one of them cannot answer the questions, they are usually able to give you the number of someone who can.
All these preparations might be tiring and exhausting, but it feels very good to be able to answer all questions with no problem and present all requested papers - and is finally allowed into the country, work permit in hand.
travelling · aboutme · cultureshock