Joanna James
In addition to the usual essentials, the Covid-19 outbreak demands that we as travellers carry a host of special items to prevent contracting the disease. Here's a list of what every tourist must pack when travelling abroad during the pandemic.
Regarded as the first line of defence against Coronavirus, packing a few bottles of high alcohol concentrate sanitisers is a must for all travellers no matter how long or brief their getaway happens to be. While it is possible to buy hand sanitisers at airports, grocery stores, convenience shops and even resort hubs, carrying your own spray bottles of this life-saving cleansing item is essential. This is since the quality of the hand sanitisers available elsewhere and their effectiveness cannot be gauged by ordinary travellers so using a hand sanitiser by a trusted brand one is already used to is more prudent. Certain hand sanitisers are also known to cause skin irritation and other issues so pack enough hand sanitisers to last for the duration of the holiday and rest easy on the go.
While even the biggest fashion houses in the world have jumped on the bandwagon of retailing trendy travel masks, the realities of travel make using these cloth-based protective gear less than safe. Washing and drying masks daily is not an activity that tourists can devote much time to during a holiday so take a pack of disposable masks on your journey to discard after use every day. Make sure the masks are stored in an air-tight Ziploc bag or similar bacteria-free container or environment as masks stored haphazardly in a suitcase or luggage is not safe to use.
Wet wipes with alcohol content should also be safely packed in your handbag or day bag as these are indispensable when having to wipe down seats and other public surfaces such as counters and ATMs. Do not purchase wet wipes that are intended for the use of children or infants as these contain little or no alcohol and cannot prevent the spread of Covid-19 due to the mild nature of its cleansing contents. Make sure the brand you purchase also has some "wetness" or dampness as dry wipes will not achieve the same result when it comes to disinfecting surfaces.
Although all resorts and hotels in the world provide towels and other personal care items in their guestrooms, it is prudent to carry a towel for one's personal use during the holiday. The Dorsett Mongkok or even the cheapest budget hotel in Hong Kong uses Laundromats to clean their linen and towels daily but the quality of the wash is not uniform.
Handling and exchanging cash during a holiday is not advisable during a pandemic as notes and coins can carry disease-causing germs and bacteria. Opt to use credit cards whenever possible as they can be wiped with some sanitiser liquid and remain undamaged, unlike cash.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
