We all shouted, fist bumped, hugged, kissed and wished each other a Happy New Year, 2020!!

Little did we know it was going to be a year like never before! I’m sure you can agree with me that these past weeks have been some of the most uncertain and emotionally draining times that many of us have experienced in our lifetimes.

Nevertheless, a new norm is evolving from this pandemic, and we will eventually go back and face our new world, and even travel again. When exactly will travel bounce back? No one knows for sure but slowly and gradually as lockdowns ease, reinfection rates decline, physical distancing measures are implemented on planes, and with the success of antibody testing and availability of vaccines, we will TRAVEL again.

Here are a few suggestions to keep in your back pocket as you consider traveling again:

Airlines

Safety hygiene on airlines is a top priority! Airlines have to ensure that safety hygiene is fully implemented from lobby to landing. Some questions we should be asking are - How clean are the airplanes? What about airplane filters? How about the health screening protocols before travel, health and safety measures on ground and on board, and physical distancing measures? How have these safety measures been implemented? These are the questions that we should be asking. Not to worry, we are already seeing TV commercials and emails trails from different airlines answering these questions.

2. Accommodation

Yes, we do care about the cleanliness of our accommodation before the pandemic, but this time around, it’s going to be different. So, we’ll have to pick and choose our future accommodations carefully with scientific evidence to back us up. Hotels hygiene measures will be on another level, with higher cleanliness standards to reduce the risk to both the guests and staff. We will have to know more about our accommodation’s cleaning protocols in the rooms and its surroundings, the physical distancing measures in place and even their service delivery protocols.

Are they doing temperature checks for arriving guests and staff? Do they have cleanliness accreditation? These will be some of the questions to keep in mind. Accommodation like Airbnb’s would probably be a better option as you can control who comes in and out. Of course, after making sure it’s virus free prior to arriving.

3. Travel Kit

Need not to say, we will pack differently when we return back to travelling. My routine prior to COVID-19 was to bring along my own bedspreads and spray down my covers with disinfectants, crazy? Not anymore! Actually, as we all should, we shall now travel with our own list of travel essentials, antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer travel packs, face masks, and gloves.

4. Travel Information

With the predictions of coronavirus infection spikes, we will have to keep up to date with the news and be familiar with the status of our country of destination. Governments will have to adjust lockdown measures according to the infection rate in the country and to keep the demands of healthcare systems manageable. So, being on top of the news might keep you from getting stuck while traveling.

5. Group Travelling

Travelling in groups is a wellness trend and an enjoyable way of exploring. It comes with many benefits, such as, safety in numbers, meeting like-minded people, making instant friends, pushing you outside your comfort zone which, according to studies, can boost your mental health. It results in a cost effective and stress-free approach to travel planning. When travelling with a group in a post COVID-19 world, you definitely have to ask similar questions in regard to their accommodation hygiene guidelines, physical distancing and protocols.

Knowing that you have to consider all of the above when planning your next trip, why not go with a travel company that has done all the work for you and is committed to ensuring all safety standards of your flights, accommodations and expenditures are being met? AJO is a boutique travel company that travels in small groups of no more than 15 people. All their accommodations follow the World Health Organization's safety hygiene measures. Under the guidance of the founder and leader Bisi Emenanjo, a licenced health practitioner with over 15 years of medical experience in internal medicine and urgent care, they have implemented protocols to review the safety and hygienic practices of any Ajo designated lodging. You can rest assured that they have your safety as their top priority.

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