Malaysians now can rejoice as travel bans for both interstate and overseas have been lifted as off today ( 11th October 2021)! But to be eligible for this, you must be fully vaccinated — 14 days after your second doses of Pzifer, AstraZeneca and Sinovac / 28 days after single dose of Johnson & Johnson and CanSino vaccines. Now that 90% of us have got that covered, what else do we have to know before we can pack our suitcases and get on that jetplane?
Read on to find out!
- CHECK YOUR PASSPORT
We have been stuck at home (mostly) for almost two years now while our poor passports have been sitting around collecting dust. So before any travel plans, make sure your passports are still valid — that you have AT LEAST more than 6 months left before the expiration date.
If you need to renew your passports, click here to find out more.
2. CHECK THE LIST OF COUNTRIES THAT RECOGNISE YOUR VACCINE
Unfortunately, not ALL countries recognise every type of vaccines (yet). So, it’s best to do your research on which countries could allow you for entry.
Check your vaccine and county of destination here.
3. DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THE COUNTRY OF DESTINATION
Two things are important here — one, check if the country requires you to be quarantined upon arrival. Some may even need you to be quarantined for 14 days (yikes!) so be sure to read up on this. Secondly, certain countries require you to have travel insurance with Covid-19 minimum coverage of $100 000 USD, else you would not be allowed to enter, my friend.
4. TRAVEL PREPARATIONS
Now that you’ve done your homework, you can move on to your travel planning. If you are travelling solo, you check out my guide here. Some of the tips here might also be useful if you are travelling with more people.
5. TRAVEL INSURANCE
Yes, remember I talked about the Covid-19 coverage? Well, it’s no longer an option to have travel insurance when you’re on your adventure. It’s a must so get it done as soon as your have your travel plans in place. I suggest that you opt for the annual insurance as it is MUUUUUUCH cheaper than getting it done per trip, especially if you are going to travel more than once in a year.
6. PCR / RTK TESTS
To travel abroad, we are required to have the PCR test made 3 days prior to your travel date and the RTK test done at the airport before your flight. If you are cautious, you could also pack some RTK test kits with you for the trip. These kits can be bought hassle free at your local pharmacies.
IF and a very IMPORTANT IF, you start developing fever or any other symptoms, you will not be allowed on board. Sorry buddy, but you’re going to have to postpone that trip to when you’re all better. DO NOT try your luck at the airport or so, because you might risk infecting other people too.
7. MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING
A mask is your first line of defence against any viruses, so please keep them on even when you are onboard. Only take them of if you have to ie when eating. I know it can be tempting to take them off especially when you are abroad, as some countries have lifted their mask restrictions but please be careful especially if you are in a touristy or crowded places.
Also, keep your distance from other people as much as possible. You may be fully vaccinated but it doesn’t stop you from getting the virus, the vaccines only prevent you from further complications.
8. QUARANTINE
When you’re back in Malaysia, you are required to self quarantine for 14 days. It is unfortunate and while it may seem like a liability, think of it as a prevention. You don’t know what you’d be bringing back from your travels and you don’t want to infect your loved ones back home too. So, buckle up my friend. At least you have the internet to keep you sane throughout these 14 days of torture. Imagine if we were to go through this in the 80s or 90s. Think POSITIVE! Plus, you have all the time in the world to go through your travel pictures and sort them out! That’s what I’d be doing.
Looks like you’re all set to travel the world! Enjoy your trip and stay safe my peeps!
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