It’s all very well to go on holiday during the pandemic, but in these times, we as motorists must follow some tips to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection while on and off the road.
Careful preparation for the journey1
Good planning is key to ensure that your trip doesn’t come to a grinding halt or cause delays. To avoid disappointment, you need to ensure that accommodation, as well as other places such as garages for refuelling, are open. Many small businesses are no longer operating due to the financial toll that the pandemic has had on them. Keep alert to the latest announcements relating to the pandemic, such as prohibitions regarding crossing provincial borders.
Is your car ready for the journey ahead? 1
Before starting your journey, remember to take your car for a service if it is due. In this way you can minimize any chance of a breakdown as some garages on the way may have closed down or have shorter working hours due to a lack of staff. Emergency services may also be restricted in their ability to cope with situations on the road.
Include sanitizers when packing the car1
You will be required to keep your hands and surfaces sanitized using hand sanitizers, disposable gloves, and wet wipes. Masks are easy to lose after your dinner at a restaurant, for example, and so carry a few spares for you and your family. Having sufficient water and food onboard saves you from frequent exposure to cafes and public toilet facilities on the way.
Filling up at garages1
Use your bank card for all transactions as paper money cannot be cleaned properly. Carry your own pen when it comes to signing those payment slips because using a pen that has been handled by many hands is not a good idea.
Where will you be able to visit the public toilet facilities? 1
You may not have a choice to visit your favourite clean restroom as it may be closed. Armed with wipes, you can face any restroom. Avoid touching taps or door handles with your bare hands, and rather use some spare toilet paper. At all times, don’t forget to wear your mask.
Visiting restaurants1
Be prepared to not be able to enter a restaurant as it may have restricted capacity. In these cases, you will have to resort to take-away foods and drinks. Preferably sit outside restaurants if possible, as this is considered a lower-risk area. You can also have food delivered to your home when entertaining guests. Note that hotels may not be providing the usual type of breakfast but offer takeaway food instead.
Confirm overnight accommodation1
To avoid disappointment, make sure to confirm your booking, because a hotel may be partially closed due to an unsuspected COVID-19 case on their premises.
The above has provided us with some idea of what to expect when going on a journey during the pandemic. What if the unexpected happens and your car breaks down or if it is involved in an accident? It will definitely not be the right time to wonder if you are adequately covered or not. Why not contact PMD and discover more about their affordable car insurance products?
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
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