*Whispers*: Don’t do it. 

Planning a group Trip during a pandemic is something I would give as an example in a future interview when asked the question ‘Give an example of a time where you’ve worked under pressure’. Planning a trip for one person is okay because ultimately the onus and responsibility is on the individual but planning a group trip in a pandemic is an ordeal. There is so much to consider, here’s why: 

The destination 

We have entered year three of *this* and a number of countries are still locked off from the rest of the world. Our original destination was a multi-centre trip to Singapore and Malaysia and two and a bit years into this pandemic they are still closed off to tourists. Having spent a month in Dubai in November 2020 and visited 3 times before, Dubai was the perfect (and easy) option for this group trip. Important factors to consider when looking at the destination is how soon they got back to some semblance of normality after March 2020. Dubai has pretty much been open since June 2020 albeit with a few restrictions in place. 

Read more: Travelling to Dubai during lockdown

Vaccination status

This post isn’t designed to preach about the pros and cons of vaccines but vaccination status needs to be taken into consideration when choosing the destination. Some destinations are happy to accept unvaccinated travellers as long as they provide a negative test and some require you to be fully vaccinated to enter. Research and preparation is key. It’s also important to note that countries can change their rules at any point in time so keep informed by signing up to their health website or your local government embassy website. 

Read more: The Peaks & Pits of Planning a Group Trip

Isolating before the trip

This is a tricky one as it depends on an individual’s circumstances, who they live with and their interactions with the public daily but if at all possible, try to isolate 5-7 days before the trip. In the UK, the government provides free lateral flow testing which is beneficial to determine whether you have the virus or not (although not always accurate).

Personal protective equipment aka PPE

Some destinations require a specific type of mask, for example, Italy requires everyone to wear KN95 or N95 masks. Remember to check what PPE the destination you are travelling to mandates. I personally prefer to travel with an abundance of surgical masks. Don’t forget wipes, sanitiser and gloves too. Anything you can do so you feel safe. We’ll get into the environmental impact of all of ~this~ another day. 

Appoint a group administrator 

Appoint a group trip administrator to make sure everyone has their documents, test results and has completed any forms mandated by the destination you are travelling to. It sounds like work but if you fail to prepare you prepare to fail. 

Exposure to others 

This is a tricky one because how can you avoid a virus you can’t see? When travelling as a group, it may be worthwhile looking into private transfers and considering what activities you are doing e.g staying outdoors (obviously weather permitting) and the time of day to ensure it’s quieter. 

Other things to remember when planning a group trip during a pandemic:

• Having printed copies of your test results and any other health declarations 
• Healthcare – Finding out where the local hospitals are and where you can get medicine 
• Numbers for emergencies  
• Knowing the protocols for what happens if you happen to catch Covid. 
• I’ve saved the most important one until last – INSURANCE. 

Would you go on a group trip during a pandemic? 

I think going to Dubai is my first and last group trip especially as a solo traveller. Once in a lifetime is enough! 

Read more:

• Planning a Group Trip in a Pandemic
• MY ‘AFFORDABLE’ MALDIVES TRIP
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• 100 x Certified Lover Boy Lyrics for Your Instagram Captions

Char xo 

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