You are not alone if you were finding it hard to cope with all the news and dates about the expected full or partial border openings for different countries. The good news is the International Airline Transportation Association ( IATA ) has created an Interactive (Covid-19) Travel Regulations Map that will help provide up to date information about worldwide destinations and the regulations they have in place to welcome travelers.
Countries are color-coded to allow travelers, in our case halal travelers, to understand how strict a country is with its travel regulations. There are four categories and every nation falls under one of the following categories:
totally restrictive
partially restrictive
no regulations related to COVID-19 implemented
latest updates currently under review
All you have to do is click on a destination of your choice ( check out our website Halaltravels.com for a list of halal-friendly destinations ) and get detailed relevant information from IATA about when you can have your halal getaway.
Our Halal Travel Experts would also recommend you use a website called travelbans.org to get more details about airline updates, quarantine details, certifications, or vaccinations needed and flight restrictions.
Air travel is definitely picking up with Qatar Airways scoring a major milestone when new independent data from IATA reaffirmed that Qatar Airways was the airline that worked diligently to take people home safely and reliably during the coronavirus pandemic. Qatar Airways repatriated over 1.8 million passengers on over 15,000 flights during the crisis.
Turkish Airlines was also recognized by Eurocontrol on June 5, 2020, as the busiest operator in the Eurocontrol area with 359 flights.
The number of flights in the Eurocontrol network reached 7232 flights on June 10, 2020. These numbers are showing renewed traveler confidence in the travel industry which will of course have a ripple positive impact on countries that heavily rely on Tourism.
Top 10 tips for a well informed Halal traveler:
1. Face coverings:
Most airlines and airports require travelers to wear face masks to board a flight. Cloth masks have become very popular.
2. Be Tech-Savvy:
Download your boarding pass on your phone to reduce face to face interactions and the number of surfaces you have to touch.
3. Social distancing:
Try to maintain a social distance of 1.5 – 2 meters at all times. Many airports have placed markers to remind travelers. Once on the plane, try to reduce moving a lot unless necessary.
4. Socks:
It is summertime but using light cotton socks is recommended during your trip. Security checks will involve taking off your shoes and you are better protected with socks on.
5. Gloves:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) do not recommend using gloves in your day to day activities but some people feel comfortable using gloves. Please make sure you remove gloves the right way, dispose of the gloves and wash or sanitize your hands before putting another pair of gloves on.
6. Hand sanitizers:
Most airlines are offering hygiene kits but it is better to have your own hand sanitizer with at least 62% alcohol content. Sanitize your hands after handling the bins at security checkpoints.
7. Disinfectant wipes:
Wipes that contain alcohol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite are necessary to wipe the area surrounding you once you are seated on the plane. High touch surfaces on the plane include windows, seat belts, tray tables, seats, armrests, headrests, etc. Once you wipe those down, make sure you sanitize your hands.
8. Air regulator:
Turn on the air regulator above your seat in the plane to ensure there is a continuous flow of air around you.
9. Wash your clothes:
Once you reach your destination, place the clothes you used on the plane in a separate plastic bag and wash them as soon as possible. Practice good hygiene and take a shower immediately and put on a clean set of clothes. Shoes are better left outside so that you don’t bring the germs inside your house. A balcony, porch or hallways are also other alternatives.
10. Disinfect your luggage:
Depending on what kind of luggage you have, you may opt to wipe your luggage with disinfecting wipes, use a washcloth or just wash your luggage if it is made of cloth material. Whichever option works best for you, don’t forget to clean the handles or any other grips.
The probability of once again visiting beautiful Islamic countries or even non – Islamic but Halal-friendly countries is increasing day by day. Reach out to us at Halaltravels.com or email us at info@halaltravels.com to get a free Muslim friendly travel itinerary and you may also be a lucky recipient of our e-magazine, Battuta.
Source: Travel Pulse, Arabian Aerospace Online news service, Qatar airways, Eurocontrol, Insider, CNN, CN Traveler
Comments