For several months now, the global coronavirus pandemic makes us all experience a unprecedented period. Confinement, closures of bars and restaurants, movement restrictions, wearing masks, social distancing…
What dissuade from leaving. However, he is still possible to travel : you just need to organize yourself well.
You are planning to travel abroad but don't know what precautions should be taken? Leave with peace of mind with our 4-step guide!
#1 Choose the right destination
Currently, travel to the other side of the world is still prohibited or in any case strongly discouraged. Postpone your trip to Argentina, South Africa or Australia until next year and focus on Europe, where many countries are currently open to French people.
Of course, the situation can change very quickly. If travel within the European Union is generally not very restrictive, Hungary, for example, suddenly decided to close its borders to foreigners on September 1st.
It is therefore appropriate to find out if the destination is open to French travelersby consulting our Travel & Covid-19 map. Some countries, such as Bulgaria or the Czech Republic currently, do not impose any special measures on the arrival of tourists. Others, however, may ask you to present a negative test or insurance covering the duration of your stay in the event of contamination on site.
Finally, also pay attention to the policy of France which, although it remains relatively flexible with travel today, can at any time decide to impose quarantine or the presentation of a negative test upon your return.
Also read: The 10 items to take (absolutely) when traveling
#2 Leave well assured
If traveling well insured is always a good idea, it is even more so during a pandemic.
Two types of insurance in particular can be useful to you, or even be imposed depending on the destination as seen a little above.
- On the one hand, it is health insurance covering covid. If you contract the virus on site and need medical treatment, this insurance will be more than useful to you. Especially since in certain countries, medical costs can quickly become exorbitant.
- Another type of insurance not to be overlooked: cancellation insurance. So, for example, in the event of covid infection just before departure, you will be able to cancel your trip free of charge. For more information on the different insurance that may apply to your trip and your needs, you can consult the offers offered by the service provider Allianz Travel.
#3 Book accommodation and activities with cancellation option
Once again, this is general advice that travel regulars know well… and which is particularly useful at the moment! The cancellation option is offered on many accommodations, whether youth hostels, guest rooms, hotels or apartments. It is not uncommon to be able to cancel your accommodation free of charge until the last moment, without having to justify the slightest reason, the booking sites are currently more flexible on their terms of cancellation or modification of stress to allow as much as possible. many to continue traveling without stress.
In addition to favoring accommodation that can be easily canceled, do the same with activities (guided tours, agency services, etc.). Because if you have to book your trip, you will not only have to cancel your accommodation but also your planned activities! It may be wise to pay slightly more to subscribe to a cancellation option and have the certainty of being able to cancel at the last minute in the event of a problem.
Another option, which will primarily suit solo travelers or at least backpackers who are not frightened by the idea of a lack of organization, is to simply book a dry flight. And if you can leave as planned, you will be responsible for booking your accommodation and activities directly on site! Which is all the easier currently, given the drop in tourist numbers even in places that are usually very popular, such as Italy, Spain, Portugal or Greece.
#4 Don’t forget local health precautions!
To finish, be aware that health precautions (wearing a mask, social distancing, etc.) and restrictions (travel, curfew, quarantine, etc.) are not the same depending on the country, sometimes even regions or cities.
Before leaving, we can only advise you to carefully read the precautions listed on the Travel Advice website. All the information necessary to prepare your departure is listed by country and regularly updated.
Tourists or not, the precautions and restrictions apply to everyone and you will therefore not be able to feign ignorance to pay sanctions and fines in the event of an inspection and non-compliance with the instructions. Caution above all and your trip will go well!
