Travel with kids during Covid-19

Travel with kids during Covid-19

Travelling with a kid has never been so easy for any parent but its complicated during pandemic like Covid-19. People across the globe are wondering whether they should travel or no especially with the kid. Although lockdown restrictions have been lifted but still there is an ambiguity whether to travel or no. Government continues to issue advisory against non-essential travel and states have imposed the quarantine restrictions.

So, if you are planning to travel with the kid, you have to do thorough research about the different factors for covid-19 transmission in terms of place, people, space and time. All these factors should be properly evaluated before the travel. Always avoid crowded areas so camping does makes sense then. A trip to national park, bird sanctuary or a beach is also worth. Make all the necessary bookings before travel. Most important thing to decide is which medium should be used to travel, i.e airlines, trains or road travel?

Although, major international and national airlines are operational and so far they claim that, "Its safe to fly again" but no one can guarantee a risk-free travel. No doubt that airlines are safer than train travel because of its high safety and hygiene standards. Thermal screening has been started at all the airports but there is nothing called no-risk travel. Few people are asymptomatic thus posing a high risk to the kids and old age people with underlying medical conditions. There is a possibility that you or your kids are sitting near to an infected person who is asymptomatic. Airlines / trains are doing everything possible they can do to reduce the risk of covid-19 transmission.

Airlines are now using HEPA ( high efficiency particulate air) in the aircraft which hospitals use in their air conditioners to remove infected particles or viruses from air.

So best and safest is you travel via roads in your own car. Renting a zoom car is also an option. But again stopping for restrooms and food breaks can be a risky affair.

But consider few points before your air travel with kid:

Your boarding passes should be ready in your phone. Make all necessary arrangements from home.Choose a window seat.

Pack the food from home.

Your travel baggage should be light as more baggage means more chances of infection through more possible touch points with other people's stuff.

Avoid using restrooms at airport. Although this is not hundred percent possible when you travel with the child.

Reduce the possible touch points at airport.

Carry disinfectant wipes with you. Keep wiping the surfaces around you and your child.

Wear face mask, face shield, gloves etc. Always carry sanitiser with you. Ask your child to carry his or her personal safety kit.

Always maintain social distance while standing in a queue. Explain its importance to your child too so as to make him well aware of the situation for further travel with precaution.