Travel Guidelines to Observe During the COVID-19 Era

The onset of COVID-19 led to the closure of international borders and restrictions on local travels as part of efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The dire economic and social impact travel restrictions have had on countries, coupled with the seeming control over the pandemic by governments, has led to the easing of such travel restriction globally.

In Ghana, a ban on domestic flights effected on March 30, 2020 has been lifted since May 1, 2020 though adherence to all COVID-19 preventive protocols are observed by airlines and travelers.

Fact-check Ghana has put together guidelines for travelling amid COVID-19 for travelers and countries as recommended by the global health body, the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) of the United States of America.

Before you travel, check:

1. Is COVID-19 spreading at your destination?
2. Do you live with someone who is more likely to get ill from the disease?
3. Are you more likely to be infected with COVID-19?
4. Does your destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers?

Do the following when on a flight in order to avoid contracting COVID-19:

1. Follow instructions from your airline company.
2. Clean your hands frequently using a hand sanitizer.
3. Clean surfaces before touching them using a sanitizer.
4. Try to stay at least one metre away from others, wherever possible.
5. Wear a face mask.

Individuals aged 60 years and above are advised to observe these specific precautions if they are planning to travel or while travelling:

1. They are to remember they stand a higher risk of serious illness or even death from COVID-19, and thus should as much as possible avoid travelling.
2. If they travel, they must adhere to safe use of face masks.
3. They must observe physical distance and regular cleaning of their hands using hand sanitizers.

It should be noted that avoiding crowds is one of the safest ways of keeping oneself from COVID-19. Therefore, if travelling to any place is not very urgent, it should be avoided till the conditions are safe.

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Supported by STAR Ghana Foundation with funding from UKAID and the European Union