Travel safety following COVID-19 vaccination drive in India

India launched the world’s biggest vaccination drive to fight coronavirus on 16 January. The drive aims to vaccinate 1.3 billion Indians in 2021. Dr Joyeeta Basu, based out of India’s capital, Delhi, weighs in on what travellers in the country can expect now this year.

Indians heaved a sigh this festive weekend with the COVID-19 vaccination programme kicking off with two approved vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin. Does this signal that we can travel again, reunite with our family and friends, begin to explore and make travel plans are questions many seek comforting answers to.

Volume & Efficacy

We are vaccinating at a decent rate across the country. The two vaccines being administered in India are Serum Institute of India’s Covishield (developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca) and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. While Covishield has 70% efficacy, India has gone towards herd immunity which is a positive turn of things. While it’s early days and we don’t have accurate explanations for it, we have seen a sudden drop to 20% in the cases which is comforting.

Impact of vaccine on travel in 2021

Indians must remember that even with the vaccination underway, we are yet to have detailed data about the intensity of the vaccine and how long the vaccinated person has immunity. It is a good idea for people to plan big travels with prudence and only if necessary. A vaccinated document to accompany travel across the globe is a good option to carry along. It will help to wait and watch how the vaccination programmes are received across other countries before Indians can make plans to globe trot.

Holiday Spreaders

Typically, Indians travel in groups. First, avoid group holidays as it is not safe. Most often we are lax during group holidays and in company and remain vigilant about maintaining social distance and sanitization habits while travelling solo. We have seen following the recent festival seasons that social distancing drops, masks come down and we were faced with a rash of infections. I highly recommend solo travel. If travelling in groups then sit everyone down and make a list of dos and don’ts as far as COVID hygiene is concerned. Take turns adding to the preventive measures that are most important and have everyone sign the list. This ensures everyone is accountable for the safety of the group.

Pilgrim Tales

People travelling on pilgrimage still forms a big component of travel in India. Congregating for big festivals is still risky. The virus levels may have come down and our health care system is not compromised right now. However, we medical practitioners were overwhelmed when the numbers were high, beds and oxygen were not available. We must avoid the situation. Maintaining safe distance during religious festivities is still a safe option.

Bubble Holidays

These are not a bad idea in 2021. Certain countries are offering it but again at parties and food courts people often slip up and crowd around and the masks are off, which is not a healthy sign.

Top Tips

• In 2021 Indians are best advised to make plans for travel bubbles and travelling solo; family holidays where members living in one home travel together is also not a bad idea.

• The mask does not come off even if the vaccine is on. Replace your mask regularly. Surgical masks to be replaced after single use. Cloth masks to be washed daily and reused. N95 can be reused after 3 or 4 days. Store them in a drybag and reuse them.

• Air travel manners must include wearing a mask and waiting until your neighbour finishes eating and put on their masks before commencing eating.

• Eating outdoors is safer; wear masks and avoid crowds while visiting museums. And Indians must continue to practice wearing masks, washing hands while travelling for 2021.

The author is a physician based out of the Indian capital region. She can be followed on twitter

India Homepage: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/en-in

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