Leisure travel during COVID-19

For someone who loves to travel and be out and about, I have been asking myself this question a lot lately.

We saw most of the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, and half a year later, while the virus still continues to spread, countries already have or are starting to open back up, mostly to save their plummeted economies.

We know that being in close contact with people is a sure way the virus spreads. So would you want to get on a plane or train or any other mode of public transportation right now? Would you really want to be in an enclosed space with people, whether it is a 5 minute train ride, or a 5 hour flight?

On the flip side, people are running out of patience, they are getting sick and frustrated by staying indoors all the time and for many, it is adversely affecting their mental health. People are running out of ideas to keep themselves, their kids, their families etc entertained indoors. It is especially difficult for those who travel every summer and this year, they cannot.

Also, I understand tourism has played a major part in economic growth in the last few years worldwide (some countries more than others), and a lot of their workforce is reliant on tourism for employment. Hence, for them, it is essential that travelling opens up, especially in countries, where little to no government aid is available.

So should we travel for leisure during this pandemic? Should we only travel locally? Maybe domestically? Or is it okay to travel internationally too? Do we really want to risk exposing ourselves and, in turn, others?

A lot of countries, who had flattened the curve, spiked up again as soon as things started to open up. Should we just bite the bullet for now, find ways to entertain ourselves indoors and stay safe and healthy, all the while trying to keep our sanity? Unless it’s not essential, we should after all, just wait it out till it is truly safe to travel? Or is it okay to go back out perhaps taking the COVID-19 travel precautions?

What are your thoughts and ideas? Are you happy with the travel restrictions being slowly lifted? Most flights, whether domestic or international, bring new cases of COVID. How do you view people who are already travelling? Would you travel right now?

Leave me your thoughts in the comments below!