7 Pandemic Travel Essentials

While the COVID-19 pandemic restricted travel, vaccinations and the lifting of travel bans are prompting many to book vacations, return to work and visit loved ones. However, current and post-pandemic travel still requires special precautions and essential items to keep you and others safe because the pandemic is not over and may be around for a long time. Therefore, life during and after the pandemic demands several adjustments and changes to the way everyone travels.

Essential travel accessories include personal protection equipment and basic health products. Devices that help limit contact with potentially contaminated surfaces are also useful travel essentials. Make your post-pandemic trips safe and hassle-free with the following items.

A face mask provides protection from airborne infectious agents, including the COVID-19 virus. There are different masks to choose for post-pandemic travel, including reusable styles and disposable ones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing face masks on public transportation. Homemade masks are okay when they fit properly. You can also choose regular or medical-grade disposable masks like the N95 and KN95 masks.

When choosing a face mask to add to your travel essentials kit, choose one that's wide enough to cover your nose and mouth. It should also have ties or ear loops that secure it firmly. Look for a two- or three-ply mask designed with two or three layers of tightly woven fabric. The preferred face mask should also use a breathable material to ensure it's comfortable during travel and convenient to wear for extended periods of time.

Disinfectant wipes are essential for post-pandemic travel because you can use them to quickly rid any surface of germs. Keep some of these wipes with you while you travel to wipe down seats and armrests in public places. They're also useful for disinfecting doorknobs and public restrooms. Use them to sanitize seats and seat belts in cars, buses, trains and planes.

Disinfectant wipes can also kill most germs commonly found in hotel rooms. Therefore, promptly wipe down handles, remotes and bathroom surfaces in your room as soon as you check in. You can also use disinfectant wipes to clean and sanitize your phone, tablet and laptop.

A hand sanitizer is a ready substitute for soap and water and suitable for disinfecting your hands on the go. When packing hand sanitizers for post-pandemic travel, keep a travel-sized bottle in your carry-on luggage to use during your journey and another one in your handbag to use when out and about once you arrive at your destination. Don't rely on your hotel to supply hand sanitizer. Get a regular-sized bottle to pack in your suitcase when taking air travel so you can keep it in your lodging room.

When choosing these travel essentials, follow the CDC's recommendation of using hand sanitizers with a minimum alcohol content of 60%. Since alcohol dries the skin, remember to also pack some moisturizers and anti-itch hand cream.

It's likely that you'll use your smartphone a lot during your trip. Germs collect readily on the surfaces of these devices. Make sure your phone doesn't transmit infectious microbes by sanitizing it regularly with an ultraviolet (UV) smartphone sanitizer This sterilizer box uses short-wavelength UV light to kill or inactivate microbes and is an important gadget to add your travel tech gear. Use it to sterilize other small items, such as keys, credit cards and pens that are often in contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.

Look for a UV sanitizer that sterilizes with UV-C as this is the only type of ultraviolet light with germicidal properties. UV-C can kill most germs after a 10-minute exposure. For an added benefit, find a UV phone sanitizer that doubles as a universal charger with USB ports for mobile devices. This optional feature makes the must-have gadget one of the best multipurpose travel tech accessories to take on a trip during a pandemic.

Phone holders and tablet mounts help reduce contact with potentially contaminated surfaces during your travels. Find holders and mounts that are wide enough to hold your phone and tablet. Add these to your travel tech gear and use them to prop up and raise your mobile devices at safe distances for hands-free usage, requiring minimal contact with shared surfaces.

Travel safely in a world recovering from a pandemic by leaving home well-prepared and with certain items packed in your luggage and travel gear. These post-pandemic travel essentials include breathable masks, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, a contactless thermometer and an air purifier to help protect you from harmful microbes. Accessories, such as phone grips , can also help keep your gadgets from getting contaminated and becoming sources of infection.