PANDEMIC Archives - My Breaking Views

How to Travel During a Pandemic

By Adebola MBV January 10, 2021January 28, 2021 0 244

Travel during a pandemic….

It has certainly been a very weird travel year for all of us. Like many others, 2020 was a year that many people had plans. Plans that many were unable to meet. As a travel blogger, I had many plans to explore the world. I had plans to travel to Bulgaria (to ski, which I did!), Jamacia (first time to go to the Caribbean), Italy (birthday plans – which I did happen and I’m yet to write about), Nigeria (still waiting for the Nigerian embassy to open), and Jordan. I know I would have done many other days trips around Europe but sadly like you, and many others around the world I wasn’t able to travel and see the world as I would’ve hoped.

This year, I have to admit that I’m quite hesitant to travel the world during a pandemic. Not only is the UK in their third lockdown, but there also seems to be a general scare or ‘travel bashing’ if anyone is seen travelling. I mean have you seen the reality stars that have travelled to Dubai for work?!

Anyone travelling during a pandemic is getting it. Particularly those travelling from the UK! I get it. The UK is experiencing this quite badly, especially compared to other countries in the world. However, I do want us to be prepared to travel once we do leave the lockdown so I have written a few steps on what can help…

A new way of travelling….

I think it’s obvious to say that travelling during a pandemic will be extremely different from what we once knew travelling to be. If you managed to travel last year in 2020, you will already know some of the points I’m about to make. Heck! You may even have some points to share. If you do, please be kind enough to share with us all!

Check your government travel advisory

Before you even begin to start travelling and planning your trip, check the status of your government travel advisory, and follow its advice. I know many are still doing their own thing when it comes to travel, but be careful! Things are changing every second of the day and I literally mean it when I say every second! Even if the status of a country is deemed to be “safe to travel” doesn’t mean it can’t change in a second!

Depending on where you’re returning from, your government may require you to quarantine on arrival. Again it may not be the case now, but as things are changing so rapidly I wouldn’t say don’t think it can change! So, if you cannot run the risk of extra costs. I would suggest staying at home for now.

You will certainly need to consider taking a COVID test….

I think this is a given. While many of us are waiting to receive a vaccination. We must understand that taking a test is essential to travel not only for your safety but for others around the world. Travelling while testing positive can only cause more and more lockdowns and worsen the pandemic.

Getting yourself tested for some countries is essential before you travel. I have heard some people have been denied at the border due to not obeying laws. Take a test and provide the evidence so you know you can travel with peace of mind. In the UK it is fairly easy to find a testing centre.

Consider Insurance when you are ready travel during a pandemic

This is more important than ever. Get insurance. I know some people in the past have played around with this but this is no longer a joke. Travelling is no longer just an escape it’s a danger zone that you enter at your own risk. Get a travel insurance quote from a Worldwide Insurance company. Not an unknown company. Be willing to spend for your own safety.

Go to countries that have the lowest numbers

Unlike the UK, many countries have been relatively unscathed by the COVID19 pandemic, at least for now. If a destination has few cases or a low death rate, the risk of catching the virus while there is hopefully quite low.

Whatever you do when travelling be mindful to avoid crowds. Consider activities like hiking and maybe camping (not really my thing but hey). Avoid eating out in busy restaurants, clubbing, bars, concerts and night clubs.

Cover up and hold a hygiene bag….

Please consider covering up and protecting yourself. When I did Italy for my birthday last year I carried a little hygiene bag. It had:

hand sanitiser,
face coverings,
and hand wipes

You may even want to carry your COVID19 test with you here. Taking the right precautions when travelling or deciding to travel during a pandemic can really help you have a much smoother travel experience.

Taking the right steps and measures to cover yourself are essential for your travels. It will help you make sure that you enjoy your trip. I hope the tips I’ve shared above are helpful and please please do share if you have any in the comments below.

See you soon.

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Lifestyle My Breaking Views

How to Prepare Yourself For Post-Covid19

By Adebola MBV April 16, 2020 0 480

How should one prepare themselves post-COVID19? This is an important question we need to be all asking ourselves. When the quarantine is lifted and the crisis subsides, what will we see going on around us? How will the social world behave? The economy? Will things go back to how there were before the pandemic? Will we be able to book a flight and go anywhere we want?

So many questions, which I’m afraid I don’t have the answers too. I wish I did honestly. However, I don’t think many people know the answers to the million questions being asked around the world. A lot of it is predictions which let’s be real – what else can we do in a situation like this?

We are all under lockdown, for the first time we are all doing the same thing. This to some degree is a positive thing. In the midst of all of this, everyone is trying to stay and remain positive in such a challenging period.

How to Prepare Yourself For Post-COVID19

Although it may not feel like it right now, this COVID-19 crisis won’t last forever. So, we need to prepare ourselves for post-COVID19, right? Below are a few tools that will help to prepare yourself for post-COVID19.

1.Be Still

Please understand that I’m no expert. However, one thing I can say is that being at home has allowed me to just be still. You know sitting still for many people is difficult. People like me like to be kept busy. However, this time doesn’t really allow you do that.

This time has allowed me to reflect on my mental health. In the real world, we are so busy, we are working, we are attending events, we are gyming, we are meeting up with friends that we sometimes struggle to just be still. Being still allows you to concentrate on your mental health.

Use this time to get your headspace right. Grab a journal. Listen to some good music, dance and laugh. Take some time out to work on your mental health. Work out. Or why not try some meditation, may take up some yoga? Read – How to Practise Self Care and Compassion.

2.Organise Yourself

You have a lot of time on your hands to organise yourself – like a lot of time. Make a list of things that you couldn’t do because ‘you didn’t have the time to get it done’. I’ve been experimenting with some amazing meals, which wasn’t something I always did before.

And for those Working from Home (WFH) why not use the time to find out how you work effectively? Things will have certainly have changed for you, so take notes on what works and what doesn’t. Organise yourself so you can produce quality work. This will enable you to get yourself into a rhythm which will hopefully help with your workflow. You may even be able to use these new ways of working post-COVID19.

3. Reflect

Use this time to reflect, (this is quite similar to my first point about being still). There is so much you can reflect on, your past, your present and you know your future. Is there anything your not happy with that you would like to change? Can you change it now?

Are there things you still need to deal with? Like personal traumas or even broken relationships?

Use this time to reflect on yourself. Hold yourself accountable for anything that needs to be resolved.

4.Set new goals

You may be asking yourself – how am I setting goals when I don’t know when I can act on them?? I’m with you on that one.

Earlier this year I created a mood board.

For those that don’t know what a mood board is: A mood board is a type of visual presentation or a collage consisting of images, text, and samples of objects in a composition of things you would like to achieve in a space of time.

When this pandemic started, I asked myself how will I be able to follow through with my mood board? However, I decided to create a new mood board. You know one that works for me under quarantine and I still have hope that I will be able to fulfil my original mood board. And you should too.

5. Learn A New Skill

I said earlier that I have been learning to cook more, the other day I learnt to make salt and pepper prawns – because I had the TIME! Want to know how to find out how to make them head over to WeAreTheFoodWhores Instagram Highlight.

post-COVID19 salt and pepper prawns things too cook.

Use this time to learn a new skill. It can be absolutely anything! I am still working on learning another skill and will update you once I have learnt something new – hehe!

6. Social Media Cleanse

When COVID19 started, I noticed I was constantly on every social media outlet. I wanted to be distracted by the reality of what was going on. I recognised my addition was bad-bad when I was on it every second of the day.

I’ve been using this time to get away from social media, which has forced me to get back into reading and writing in my journal. Don’t worry I get it; social media is a useful tool. I am constantly being reminded by close friends that as a blogger I must always be on socials. However, as I’m not writing about travel now, I have decided to use this time to step back from it all. You know take a well-needed break.

Set yourself a time limit you can have on socials each day. Once that time is up it’s time to do something else. Trust me. If you are suffering from anxiety, then this will help.

7. Rest

There is so much going on socials telling people to do this, have a business up and running and all sorts. Honestly, one of the best things for you to do with this extra time is to – REST!

Once this pandemic is over you are going to want to be everywhere! Travellers, if allowed, are gonna want to catch a flight, those that enjoy seeing friends are gonna want to see their friends and family. Life as we once knew it might actually go back to normal. You will be back at work! You will be back to your busy hustle lifestyle.

There is so much you will be doing that you will wish you took this time to just REST!

Final Thoughts…

COVID19 has literally paused life for everyone. While it’s nice to know that we are all going through the same thing – for some worst. I and a lot of us have to be extremely thankful for so many things, like having a roof over my head, food when I want it. A job with a consistent salary. Time to slow down. There is also running water for me to wash my hands when I want, and most importantly I do feel safe at home.

Once this pandemic is over I can certainly believe we will be jumping another hurdle and that will be the life post-COVID19. I can’t imagine things will jump back to how they were before, so dealing with your wellbeing and preparing yourself is soo important right now.

What about you what else have you been doing to prepare yourself for post-covid19? Share your comments and thoughts below and let’s learn from each other.