The desire to travel has not entirely dissipated due to COVID-19. If anything, vacations seem more vital than ever, given everything we have been through. Here are some tips on how you and your family can travel safely during this challenging time.
For us Canadians, a winter getaway to somewhere warm and sandy is almost as ingrained into our collective psyche as maple syrup and hockey. But COVID-19 is presenting some unique challenges in making our winter retreat a reality this year. While non-essential travel is still discouraged, it hasn't been banned. That means if you and your family want to travel, you still can. There are just a few more hoops to jump through and boxes to tick off before doing so.
Before you even decide to take a trip somewhere, there are a few things you need to consider given the ongoing pandemic. They are:
- How prevalent is COVID-19 in my community or travel destination? If there are more cases of the virus where you live or where you are travelling to, then there's a higher likelihood that you will contract and spread COVID-19.
- Am I at increased risk or is anyone in my family at an increased risk? While COIVD-19 can infect anyone, older adults and those with comorbidities or certain medical conditions are at a heightened risk of suffering severe illness from the virus.
- Am I in close contact or live with anyone who is at an increased risk? Even if you don't have any symptoms, you can spread COVID-19 to those close to you upon returning from travel if you contract the disease on your trip.
If COVID-19 is not prevalent where you live or where you are travelling to, and you answered 'no' to the next two questions, then you can consider your travel plans to be of lower risk compared to if you answered 'yes' or if the virus is widespread in the place you live and where you are travelling to.
Ichor Has You Covered
If you're looking for COVID-19 testing in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Fredericton, or Niagara Falls, Ichor Blood Services has you covered. We also provide COVID-19 travel testing. For more information on our COVID-19 testing services, click the button below.
How to Travel Safely Amid COVID-19
The most important thing you need to know when travelling amid COVID-19 is the rules and regulations of the jurisdiction you are travelling to. If you are embarking on an international trip, this is even more vital.
Many Canadians were caught off guard in December when the federal government announced returning travellers would have to present a negative COVID-19 test upon their return to the country, providing barely a week's warning. Knowing that things can change at a moment's notice and being prepared to adapt to this reality will serve you well as you navigate this new world of international travel. Having additional time to take off from work and funds available to see you through unexpected changes to your itinerary is also a good idea.
Safety Tips for Air Travel
Due to the nature of how most viruses spread and how air is filtered and circulated on planes, the majority of pathogens don't spread well on flights. That being said, planes are notorious for their close proximity to other passengers, making social distancing almost impossible in certain situations. Getting onto a flight also includes standing in lines and airport terminals, both of which can lead to close proximity with others.
This means that wearing compulsory masks is a must while travelling by air, both on the plane and while waiting to board. Most airlines have instituted a mandatory mask rule, so make sure you have multiple ones with you before you embark on your trip. You should also be washing your mask frequently to limit the risk of contamination.
As most jurisdictions are now requiring a negative COVID-19 test to avoid quarantine on arrival, making sure you have the proper paperwork documenting your negative test result is critical. Ichor Blood Services has a dedicated COVID-19 travel testing program that can help secure these tests for you and your family, depending on your destination.
HOW ICHOR CAN HELP YOU TRAVEL TO HAWAII WITHOUT QUARANTINING
Know Before You Go
For all other forms of travel including lodging and hotel safety advice, the main rules and precautions we have been instructed to follow apply. Stay six feet away from other people when possible, wear a mask whenever you can, and be sure to wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer frequently.
While international travel hasn't been banned, new variants of the virus are causing countries to suspend or bar flights from certain countries with little to no warning. Make sure you always read up on the rules and regulations of where you are travelling and returning to, and more than ever, expect the unexpected to happen.
If you need COVID-19 travel testing, be sure to contact us today. We can help you enjoy your trip without having to quarantine so you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest!
Contact Us
If you need COVID-19 travel testing for you and your family, Ichor Blood Services has you covered. For more information about the COVID-19 tests we offer, please give us a call at 1-844-424-6728 or fill out our contact form.
FAQs
Q: What kind of test do you use for your COVID-19 travel testing program?
We use a PCR test to identify and rule out active infections of the virus.
Q: What is the targeted turnaround time for results with your COVID-19 travel testing program?
Our targeted turnaround time for results with our COVID-19 travel testing program is 48 hours. We encourage customers to book their tests as close to the cutoff window for their destination to help mitigate the effect of unexpected delays.
Q: How do I book a COVID-19 travel test?
You can head to our COVID-19 Tests We Perform page and follow the prompts to book your COVID-19 travel test.
Contact Us
Contact Us for Private Blood Testing, Physician Requested General Blood Work, Corporate Group Testing for COVID-19 Antibody or COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing, and more!