Travel Tips: Precautions For Hotel Stay During Covid-19

All around us, restrictions are easing up. Slowly and cautiously in most areas, but steadily easing up, no less. We have moved a few steps from declaring “a new normal” at every turn, into hoping to merge what has come to be referred to as new, with the normal we once knew. (let the saints say amen!)

For us travelers, that has meant finding safer ways to venture out of our comfort zones, be it to another region/state/town close by or back outwards into a whole 'nother country like our friends in the UK were doing ever so boldly before the announcement of their second lockdown.

In this blogpost, i share ten (10) safety precautions I have gathered in the past seven (7) months while road-tripping and staycationing around Ghana. You are welcome to add-on in the comments section below, or let me know any others you may want to point out too!

1. Choose your destination wisely

At the risk of sounding prejudiced, the reality of the times we are in requires that we prioritize our safety above all else. No matter how uncomfortable it feels to rule out certain countries/destinations for case counts, prevalence of the virus or dead toll, it is important to consider all of the above before deciding to visit. Can't put a premium on your life and health.

No matter how uncomfortable it feels to rule out certain countries/destinations for case counts, prevalence of the virus or dead toll, it is important to consider all of the above before deciding to visit.

2. Research the hotel’s observance of the COVID-19 safety protocols

The good news is, most hotels I have lodged with or researched on have had their in-house policies and protocols outlined and published on their official websites. However if this isn’t the case for your hotel of choice, I advice you put a phone call out or email to them inquiring about their policies prior to your booking/visit.

3.Opt for contactless registration, payment & check-ins. 

This is one of the easies and surest way to reduce risk of contamination while attempting to lodge at your favorite hotel currently. Most hotels I have lodged with have recommended online booking/registration/check-in to guests as part of their safety measures. If that option is available to you, take it!

4. Find out plans for guests who fall ill during their stay

While we do not wish we fall sick when away from home, it helps to know that there are some contingency plans in place, in the event that we do. Most hotels would have direct contacts to hospital facilities/clinics within their community and it will be good to know and have these assurances. Take the initiative to request this information from the hotel management, if it’s not readily available on the hotel’s website or social media pages.

Take the initiative to request this information from the hotel management, if it’s not readily available on the hotel’s website or social media pages.

5. Strictly observe protocols outlined by hotel management

Note that these aren’t meant to ruin our experience, but to ensure your safety and well-being. Taking care of yourself during a global pandemic isn’t selfish or meant to put a downer on your funtime. Your health and safety as well as that of those you love and care about depends on observing these safety protocols outlined. So, do your bit.

6. Sanitize upon arrival 

Sanitize your hands, luggage, high touch areas, personal items like phones, laptops etc, TV remotes, door handles, toilet handles and flat surfaces upon arrival.

7. Decline housekeeping services during your stay 

Declining housekeeping services is one sure way to reduce the number of people you come into contact with during your stay. This translates directly into a reduced rate of infection. If you are a stickler for clean spaces as most hotel lodgers tend to be, go along with enough surface wipes and clean up after yourself as much as you can.

8. Best to opt for room service as opposed to dining out 

Dining out in a hotel restaurant at a specific time with possibly a number of people you have no way of knowing their travel history can be risky. In tandem with point 5 in observing social distancing and keeping safe, it is much safer and advisable to order your food in. 

9. Avoid shared hotel facilities 

Shared facilities such as the gym and swimming pool are noted as high risk areas for infection and contamination.. Avoiding these areas ensure you reduce your risk of exposure as well.

10. Refrain from traveling if sick and/ or are showing symptoms of sickness.

This would apply to or from your holiday destination. Refer to point 1 re: putting a premium on your life and health! Believe me, the world will still be there to be explored when you feel better, or when the pandemic is over, over.

Happy travels! Wander safely when you do.

And as always, if you find these tips useful in your travel planning, be sure to drop a comment or email me at info@shesuthman.com with your feedback/experience. 

I love reading them all!