How Can You Prepare for Travelling?

How Can You Prepare for Travelling?

 

If travel is permitted, there may be some restrictions and guidelines to stay safe. Whether you are travelling for a short or extended time period, it is important for you to plan ahead before you travel in order to minimize any health risks. Some of the information that you can gather should include:

 

Destination Research

Do your research about the places that you want to visit through your travel agent or various websites. Find out about the lodging, food, activities, weather and environment to ensure your choices are open and are taking guests with the appropriate guidelines in place. You can check the Center for Disease Control’s travel website:  www.cdc.gov/travel  for current precautions and any cluster outbreaks that may be occurring at or around your destination, or Canada’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade website: www.travel.gc.ca.

 

Medications

If you are currently taking prescription medications, ensure that you have enough for the time period that you will be away from home and your doctor, with additional weeks’ worth of supply for any unforeseen delays in returning home. Travel with your medications in the original bottles. Carry a first aid kit for mild injury and illness, which should include over-the-counter medication for fever such as acetaminophen, traveller’s diarrhea, cough and cold, pain, congestion, and antibiotic creams for cuts and bruises. Include other items such as masks, scissors, thermometer, bandages, gauze, sunscreen, insect repellant, and antiseptic hand cleaner and wipes.
 
If you are unsure what to include in your first aid kit, your pharmacist can help make recommendations. A copy of your medical history should be included as it can be helpful in case of an emergency, listing blood type, immunization record, doctor information, allergies, and emergency contact information.

  

 

Travel Insurance

Ensure that you have the proper medical coverage through your provincial medical plan and any third-party carrier that you are using for extended benefits. You can also purchase travel insurance for coverage during the period that you will be away, and check if any conditions are excluded due to the pandemic and what the procedures are for evacuation if you do become sick.

 

How Can You Help Yourself?

Now that you have done your research and planning and have decided to travel, continue to practise preventative measures that you have become familiar with during the pandemic: