When it comes to your personal safety, the pandemic is likely to be at the forefront of your thinking as you return to regular business travel. But you’ll also need to be mindful of the other risks you faced before the pandemic. As it may have been some time since you last traveled regularly, now might be the right time for a reminder of some of the things you can do to keep yourself safe.
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Before heading to the airport
- Ensure you’re in good health, to reduce the risk of being quarantined or denied boarding.
- Pack an adequate supply of any medication in your hand luggage, ensuring these remain in their original packaging and are accompanied by prescriptions or medical letters if traveling abroad.
- Check import restrictions for medicines and food at your destination.
- Consider direct flights over connections.
- Bring your own headsets, reading materials, drink bottles, pillows.
- Leave home early, as airport passenger processing times may be longer than usual.
- Check in online and use selfservice kiosks to minimize contact with airline staff.
On the flight
- Take your valuables and passport with you if leaving your seat.
- Keep hydrated and don’t drink too much alcohol.
- Stay healthy by exercising while seated and wearing compression socks on longer flights.
- Bring your own food and water on board on flights where catering options may be uncertain.
- Pay for catering using contactless or cashless payment (if available).
- Avoid connecting to a USB port to charge mobile devices, as this may allow data to be accessed.
- Choose your seats carefully. A window seat reduces contact with passing crew and passengers.
- Avoid viewing sensitive information on any mobile devices.
At the airport
- Follow any local rules on queuing, maintaining a social distance and wearing face masks.
- Listen carefully for airline announcements – as boarding processes may have changed – and know your seat number and zone.
- Don’t reveal your hotel details to strangers.
- Carry food/water on board if there is no inflight service.
- Carry valuables, travel documents and medication securely with you and never in your checked baggage.
- Spread out credit cards and cash in case of theft.
- Be careful when using public Wi-Fi and don’t access sensitive information.
On arrival
- Plan how to exit the airport in advance, to avoid standing out as a tourist on arrival.
- Remember to retrieve all checked luggage.
- Make credit card or contactless payment when possible.
- Carry some cash to exchange into local currency on arrival, in case airport ATMs are not working or debit cards are not accepted.
- Have any completed health and other government declaration forms ready to hand over to officials.