Traveling home during festivals? Here’s what you should be doing…

The dusk of diseases with the dawn of festivals! Hope that could be true. However, in reality, it’s not – everything, including the work, daily routine, traveling, festivals, and infections, go hand-in-hand.

Amidst all this, if the deadly pathogens meticulously play their part and perform their duties, why should we stop?

There is a different feel in the air during the festive season in India, something not adequately expressed in words. The enthusiasm of the masses, the noise in the traveling routes, the colorful markets, and the hotchpotch around all seem to sync and create an exuberant atmosphere. It’s natural to forget about diseases, infections, social distancing, and precautions while we are at the peak of such ‘fun times.’

I see many of my friends and colleagues planning to go back to their respective homes or arrange a vacation in Goa or Shimla or Udaipur for the next two months. In the eagerness to book tickets, the fear of COVID, catching a cold, or getting infections seems to be ignored. However, let’s see what we should know and simple steps we can follow while traveling home, to have a long-lasting enjoyment.

Traveling during festivals

• Planning

Book your tickets or plan your travel in advance. This would help you counter the tension of boarding overcrowded buses or trains. Advanced booking would also ensure booking of seats keeps social distancing in mind. Planned travel has an additional benefit that helps you avoid last-minute packing, mess, and pressure.

• Medications

If you have some medical or health problem, like cold or flu, season-based medical issues, traveling sickness, or any other chronic disease, it is advisable you schedule an appointment with your doctor and seek advice on the medications you should carry along and precautions you should follow.

• Vaccination

A crucial point during present times. Make sure you are COVID-vaccinated, at least the first dose. Not only it will help you follow travel norms, but it will also boost your ‘health’ confidence.

• Consumptions

You must eat wisely while traveling. Please take care of the food you consume and what outdoor foods suit you. It would be good if you carried some food items along for the journey. More than food, it is significant to take along water bottle(s) according to your travel time. Or buy bottled water if traveling via air route.

• Disinfection

Another very critical factor – sanitizing and disinfecting. Carrying a small sanitizer-cum-disinfectant bottle along would solve most of your problems and ease many of your worries. If there is a simple solution to a grave situation, then why not?

• Knowledge  

It is essential to gather the knowledge of the place you are traveling to, specifically during an infection-dominated time. In addition, many states have imposed COVID-specific travel norms; hence it is recommended to check the same out and also maintain social distancing if going inter-state. 

Better safe than sorry. Enjoy your travels!

Avani Raj Arora