What it's like to travel during COVID?

To say the very least, it’s a little rough out there for people looking to travel at the moment. To say slightly more, the restrictions brought in due to Covid-19 have made travelling much more difficult, especially travelling internationally. Now, we’re not going to say that these restrictions aren’t necessary, during a worldwide pandemic it’s exactly what’s needed to limit infection. However, there are still ways to get away during these times. Going international might be a little bit more hassle, but if there’s a will, there’s always a way.

We’ll start off with the obvious. Make sure to check the regulations for the periods when and the places where you are travelling, if we’ve learnt anything it’s that rules can change at a moment’s notice, and you don’t want to be caught out if anything goes awry. If you’re travelling from the UK, make sure to check whether you’ll need to self-isolate for a period of time after arriving there, or after arriving back. If you’re going to need two weeks either side of your holiday for self-isolation, make sure to factor that into your plans. Similarly, any tests, jabs, or visas you need before leaving, that hasn’t changed much so make sure to keep that on your checklist.

Keeping yourself and your fellow travellers safe also has to be a top priority. Make sure to wear an appropriate face covering when needed, to wash your hands regularly, and to just be generally aware of the areas you travel through and their own rules and regulations. If you're using disposable masks and gloves, make sure to change your gear on a regular basis. Similarly, if you’re wearing a reusable mask, make sure you are washing it regularly to avoid carrying any germs around with you. We would also recommend staying away from particularly crowded areas, as not everyone will be quite as considerate with how they protect others.

On the same note, we’d recommend choosing accommodation that means as little contact with others as possible. Many private rentals have been able to make the switch to low or no contact operations, while a hotel still involves a lot of interaction with hotel staff and other guests, with daily cleaning now a much riskier affair and shared eating areas quite problematic under these circumstances. Being able to cook, clean and eat in your own little space is a severely underrated luxury at the best of times, but it’s a necessity nowadays. Getting away to a smaller town may be a good idea, as you’ll avoid any of the commuting traffic and any other tourists who have decided to get away during these times.

Paphos might just be the perfect destination for a Covid getaway. It’s a smaller town, with just 35,000 inhabitants, so you’re avoiding any massive crowds or flocks of tourists. It’s right on the coast, so everywhere is walking distance from the beach, which is perfect for daytime exploring or late-night walks. The local rules allow for bars, cafés, restaurants and other venues like cinemas to stay open until 22:30, but cinemas and theatres are required to operate at half capacity to maintain social distancing. However, the Cypriot government does mandate the wearing of face coverings outdoors and there is a curfew during the night time, currently from 23:00 to 05:00 to curb the spread of infection through late-night social events.

This has made Paphos, and Cyprus as a whole, a much calmer place to visit. The roving bands of inebriated English are gone, replaced by serene sunsets and moonlit sand. Travelling during the age of Covid is a very different experience, but people, as they tend to do, are making their way through it.