In less than a year, travel has immensely changed across the globe. Whether you plan to visit Cape Town and the Western Cape for business or pleasure, there are some necessary precautions that you need to take in order to minimize the risk of infection. This is something you have to do not only to protect yourself but other people as well.

Which preventive measures should be taken before your trip?

Travel often involves a lot of in-advance planning. You must figure out where you’ll stay and how you’ll get there before your departure. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, you also need to be familiar with the preventive measure you should take before your trip. Here are some of the measures you can take:

• Don’t have close contact with people you don’t live with at least 14 days prior to your departure.
• Avoid spending time in restaurants, fitness centers, bars.
• Don’t attend any weddings, celebrations, or parties.

Keep in mind that although you can minimize the risk of infection, it can still happen at any time. That’s why it’s important to check with your insurance agency to see whether your plan will cover you in case you get COVID-19.

Safety measures that can be taken during your trip

From 21 September 2020, the South African government put the COVID-19 alert level 3 in place. Some of the most notable measures that are a part of alert level 3 include that every person is confined to his or her residence from 11 pm to 4 am each day. The closing time for all establishments where people can socialize is 10 pm daily. Nightclubs are closed to the public.

People are required to wear either a cloth face mask or any item that covers their nose and mouth in every public space, regardless of whether it’s indoors or outdoors. You can purchase liquor only from 10 am to 6 pm from Mondays to Thursdays. You are not allowed to drink alcohol in public places, except in premises that have an on-site consumption license.

Aside from the measures put in place by the SA government that you must follow, here are some of the additional measures travelers can take:

• Carrying extra supplies, including hand sanitizer and masks, always.
• Always staying at least 6 feet apart from other people.
• Avoiding touching your nose, eyes, and mouth.
• Using contactless payment for purchases whenever possible.

What to do once you return home?

Since there is a possibility that you contract the virus even if you take all the necessary safety precautions, it’s advised that you quarantine yourself once you return home. This is the safest way to ensure that no one you come in contact with gets exposed to the virus.

Before you visit Cape Town and the Western Cape, buy enough food and supplies to last you ten days. It’ll be much easier for you to quarantine yourself if you prepare for it ahead of time.