Travelling during a pandemic 

Should you travel? 

100% as long as you are healthy and haven’t got any underlying health conditions, the coronavirus has had a huge impact on the world and life as we know it. It’s had a massive impact on the travel industry. There are a few changes that have been made but are there to for everyone’s safety. Firstly face mask and coverings are mandatory, both in the airport and on the aircraft. Secondly there is more paperwork to fill in, depending on your destination you may have to fill in a form before arriving, we had to fill out ours 48hrs before arriving in Crete (Greek Island) and on the way back to the UK we had to fill in a passenger locator form. In my experience they weren’t really checked by the airports but you did have to show them and I did see a few people rushing to complete them before they were allowed to go through passport control. 

Did we feel safe? 

Yes. There were lots of hand sanitiser stations throughout the airport. The majority of people were wearing facemasks. Unless they were drinking or eating. 

They also had to close security for a few minutes due to social distancing but soon reopened it. Security was quick and easy as usual. 

Most people follow social distancing rules and there was plenty of hand sanitiser stations throughout the airport, with most of them working and full. The airport was quite busy this maybe because it was a Sunday afternoon. We ate in spoons and had to fill out track and trace form as with all restaurants in the UK. 

The plane was full but most people stayed in their seats wearing face masks apart from when they were eating and drinking. The flight attendants reminded people to keep face mask on and only two people were allowed up waiting to go to the toilet. 

We disembarked the plane one row at a time from the front and the back, got a bus to the terminal, again most people respecting social distance. There was also hand sanitiser stations, but compared to Gatwick, Chania had far less from what I saw that maybe because of the size of the airport. 

On the way back, it was pretty much the same, apart from the we disembarked from the plane a row at a time, from the front. Everyone respected this as well as wearing face masks and covering.

In Crete, restaurants had hand sanitizer available, staff were wearing face masks or shields and it all seemed clean. We mostly dine outside, face masks and coverings were worn inside to order or to use the toilet. Shops also had hand sanitizer on entry and there was a limit in how many people in the shop at one time.  

But air bridges changing?

Yes they are and unfortunately we were affected by this and we are now in 14-day quarantine due to the ever-changing advice, which changed less than 24hrs after we arrived in Crete. With the announcement, the airlines increased their prices and availability decreased, so I contacted my employer and I am now on Statutory Sick pay for two weeks, it could be worse. I am just thankful that my employer was understanding. 

It is important to support the travel industry as they have lost loads of money during the pandemic. It’s been reported that UK airports have lost £2bn during lockdown. Thousands upon thousands have lost their jobs as companies try and recover. UK airports have reportedly lost over £10,000 per minute for four months, between March and June due to the pandemic. But we all need to do our part to help the economy recover. The trip has been booked since January before the pandemic hit. 

Is it all worth it?

Yes, it was all worth it for me in the end, I had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful Greek island of Crete. I feel very lucky being able to travel as I know many people have had to cancel their holidays for one reason or another. 

It’s worth weighing up the pros and cons for yourself and or your family as travel advice can change frequently and travelling at the moment may not be right for you.