Covid-19 will change the way we travel. Here’s a glimpse of how it will look.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic started to spread the moment 2020 rolled around, countries worldwide have imposed strict travel restrictions and even national lockdowns.

This has hugely impacted international travel, and probably many of our holiday plans as well.

International travel will eventually return, gradually

According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), as of April 16, 2020, 96 per cent of the world's destinations are currently impacted by travel restrictions and other lockdown measures.

"The world has really come to a standstill," UNWTO Director of Communications Marcelo Risi told Euronews.

However, international travel will eventually return, many experts agree.

Even in the last couple of months, there have still been a minute percentage of people taking flights - those who need to travel for essential purposes, such as returning home, or for family and other highly urgent matters.

Air travel will gradually return as months and years go by, but when it comes to non-essential travelling such as holidays, most people would probably stick to local or nearby destinations in the earlier days.

Concerns over air travel

However, it’s understandable if many of us still have questions and concerns over air travel, considering the current global situation.

While it’s going to be more difficult and perhaps more expensive, Covid-19 won’t be the end of air travel.

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, security screening at airports around the world were dramatically enhanced, leading to the many item restrictions and screenings that we have grown used to today.

Similarly, the new normal will include enhanced health screenings and safety measures at airports, which we will eventually have to get used to.

Tips on how to make your air travel smoother

If you need to travel now for business or family matters, or if you are already planning your next vacation after travel restrictions have been lifted, here are some tips you can keep in mind to help make your journey smoother and safer.

First, before booking your flight, ensure that you’re eligible to travel to the particular country, in case the destination still has certain travel restrictions in place. Here’s a useful website to check your travel eligibility.

When checking in

Once that’s clear, fill up your e-health declaration form and check in online at home, so that you can avoid queuing up at the counters.

If not, some carriers such as Scoot have self-service check-in kiosks available at the airport.

Do note that Scoot will be conducting temperature screening at Changi Airport check-in counters, and if you have a fever, you will not be allowed to board.​ But of course, if you are sick, be considerate and reconsider your travelling plans.

You might want to arrive earlier than usual, to ensure that you have sufficient time for additional safety procedures.

Carry-on baggage

Many of us would be holding on to some carry-on baggage containing our essentials and some electronic devices to keep ourselves entertained during the flight.

However, to minimise physical contact and ensure the safety of passengers and crew, some airlines, including Scoot, will allow a small piece of carry-on bag of up to 3kg, which must fit under the plane seat in front of you. Just remember to pack your 3kg bag in advance so you don't malu and have to pack at the airport in front of everyone.

The remaining baggage, up to 7kg, will be checked in at no additional cost, when flying with Scoot.

You may consider packing a couple of masks, some books or a handheld game console, your personal medication and a sweater in your carry-on bag.

For nursing mums, do remember to pack your baby food and expressed breast milk in your carry-on bag too. You can ask the cabin crew for hot water when making milk for your child.

If you’re planning to catch a red-eye flight with Scoot, you might want to pack in your own eye mask as well, as Scoot will be temporarily suspending the sale of their snooze kits.

Additionally, Scoot will be suspending its meal services onboard, so meal purchases online and onboard will not be available.

Instead, complimentary refreshments will be pre-placed on seats to limit physical interactions between passengers and the flight crew.

If you’re planning to take a flight anytime in the near future, and are afraid that you will get hungry, consider having a full meal at home before heading to the airport, as dine-in services will not be available in the airport during Phase One of the post-circuit breaker period.

Mandatory wearing of mask and safe distancing on board

Of course, wearing a mask and safe distancing is still a must even when you’re up in the sky.

You will be required to wear a mask throughout the flight (unless you are eating, drinking or taking oral medication), probably for most flights from Changi Airport. This applies for all Scoot flights.

Cabin crew members will also be equipped with the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) while they’re on duty. For the Scoot crew, the attire comprises a mask, gloves and face shield. They will also be seated at a designated section of the aircraft, away from passengers.

Segregated seating will be commonplace when air travel resumes, to ensure that passengers are safely distanced from each other.

This means you won't be able to pre-select your seat or request for seat upgrades onboard. Instead, you will be assigned seats when you check in. ScootPlus will also be suspended during this period.

Well, at least this means that you’ll have plenty of space and won’t have to worry about squeezing with others.

If you’re travelling with your family and loved ones, airlines will try their best to accommodate such that you can sit closer to them as much as possible.

Don’t talk to each other for a few hours won’t die one.

Avoid changing seats on board as that may affect contact tracing measures, and try not to breach safe distancing measures on board as well.

If your friend or family member needs help, the flight attendants are there to help.

Enhanced cleaning procedures

To ensure passengers and crew members’ safety, Scoot has enhanced its cleaning procedures of their aircraft, making sure that every corner is disinfected thoroughly.

During the flight, lavatories will be regularly cleaned and disinfected (at least three times an hour), and hand sanitisers will be available on all Scoot flights for use by passengers and crew.

A care kit containing a mask, wet wipes, and hand sanitiser will also be placed on your seat (along with the complimentary refreshments).

However, you can still bring your own wet wipes and hand sanitisers for your personal use. Just make sure that your liquid hand sanitiser is packed in a bottle under 100ml.

It’s never clean enough unless you cleaned it yourself, cos we are kiasu that way.

With that, maybe you can start thinking about your next holiday plan, and know that you can travel safely whenever you do so in the foreseeable future.

This sponsored article by Scoot has made this writer miss travelling again.

Images via Scoot