Prepare for a Safe Journey Home During COVID-19

April 10, 2022

5 minutes

With the long Songkran Festival holiday approaching, many people are probably preparing by booking tickets for buses or flights to enjoy an extended break. Songkran is a festival that many look forward to, not only for the opportunity to travel and relax but also as the perfect time to visit family and loved ones in their hometowns.

However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many people hesitate to travel back to their hometowns out of concern for spreading the virus to elderly family members. In this situation, taking proper safety precautions is essential. For those who still need to travel, here are some key steps to prepare for a safe journey home during COVID-19.

Plan your trip in advance

Before setting off, proper preparation is crucial, whether you are heading back to your hometown or going on a holiday. Since it is a long holiday, tourist destinations will be crowded, so planning your trip in advance and preparing yourself and your vehicle is important. Here’s what you should do:

Get enough rest

Travelling during a holiday period requires extra preparation, as heavy traffic can lead to exhaustion. Make sure to get enough sleep, especially if you are driving. Avoid consuming alcohol or taking drowsiness-inducing medications, such as antihistamines.

Check your vehicle’s condition

Travelling by private car reduces the risk of virus exposure, but you should ensure your vehicle is in good condition before departure. Essential checks include brake fluid, brake pads, engine oil, windscreen wipers, all signal lights, the radiator, and tire pressure. If you are not familiar with vehicle maintenance, consider getting your car inspected at a service center for added safety.

Study the route

Plan your journey in advance, as holiday traffic can be extremely heavy. Check for safe shortcuts and road conditions, particularly if you are travelling on unfamiliar roads. Getting lost could be dangerous and cause unnecessary delays.

Ensure you have enough cash

While mobile banking and contactless payments help reduce infection risks, carrying sufficient cash is still important in case of emergencies. You never know whether your next stop will have an ATM or accept credit cards, so having some cash on hand is a practical solution.

Follow COVID-19 safety measures strictly

Once you have finished preparing for your trip, the next and crucial step is to remain vigilant no matter how far or near your destination is. Never let your guard down. Avoid the mindset that a short trip or a less crowded area means you do not need to wear a mask. Many people who thought this way ended up getting infected.

Whether you are travelling to your hometown or going on holiday, if you want to enjoy your trip worry-free and avoid spreading the virus to your family, it is essential to strictly follow safety measures for the well-being of yourself and those around you:

Maintain a social distance of 1-2 meters.
Wear a face mask at all times during your journey.
Regularly wash your hands with soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your face with your hands.
Do not share personal items, utensils, or containers with others.
Ensure you are fully vaccinated.

Boost your confidence with health insurance

Anything can happen on a long journey, so for added peace of mind, consider purchasing health insurance. Today, we are surrounded by various health risks, including COVID-19 and common critical illnesses. No matter how careful we are, unexpected situations can still occur.

Having health insurance provides extra confidence and reassurance for both yourself and your family. No matter how severe an illness may be, you will not have to worry about expensive medical bills. Coverage includes pandemics, critical illnesses, common diseases, re-emerging diseases, and even emerging diseases, ensuring access to advanced medical treatments. For more details, click.

Please study the details of coverage, conditions, and exclusions before making a decision to purchase insurance.

Prepare essential equipment for emergencies

In addition to having health insurance, carrying essential equipment is equally important, as emergencies often happen unexpectedly. Before setting off on a long road trip during the holidays, you should prepare necessary supplies and emergency gear to handle any situation. If an emergency occurs, finding help while travelling can be difficult and may disrupt your plans. Here are some essential items and emergency equipment to have on hand:

Clean drinking water to stay hydrated and relieve travel fatigue.
Sunglasses, both as an accessory and to reduce eye strain while driving.
A power bank to ensure you never lose contact.
Personal medication and basic first-aid supplies.
A spare tire and jumper cables for those using private vehicles.
Emergency contact numbers saved in your phone for immediate assistance if needed.
A torch in case you get lost or your car breaks down at night.

Find new check-in spots with safety standards

For those planning a holiday trip, this is a crucial point! When choosing accommodation, cleanliness should always be a top priority. Check the safety measures in place at your accommodation and take precautions by sanitizing frequently touched surfaces with alcohol, such as light switches and taps.

Consider exploring new and unique destinations beyond the usual tourist hotspots. Thailand has many amazing check-in spots waiting to be discovered. Avoiding popular locations not only spares you from heavy traffic but also reduces the risk of infection. Opting for nature-based tourism or visiting local communities allows you to enjoy fresh air and nature, new experiences, and a less crowded environment, enhancing both safety and relaxation.

Travelling by private car is the safer choice

During holiday seasons, tourist destinations become even more crowded than usual. If possible and your destination is not too far, consider driving your own car for a more relaxed journey. It offers greater convenience, allows spontaneous stops, and reduces the risk of COVID-19 exposure. For those who have already booked flights, consider renting a car or hiring a private vehicle at your destination instead of using public transport to minimize close contact with others.

If taking public transport is truly unavoidable, you should wear a face mask at all times during the journey, avoid touching your face, maintain social distancing, and frequently wash your hands after touching shared surfaces.

That concludes the preparations for travelling home and going on holiday during this year's long Songkran Festival break. It is evident that various aspects of preparation are everyday matters that many people may overlook. That’s why, before setting off, we encourage everyone to be well-prepared for their journey so that this Songkran trip will be a truly special one. We wish everyone a safe journey and a joyful reunion with their loved ones.

Don’t forget to build up your confidence with lump sum health insurance from Muang Thai Life Assurance that covers emerging diseases, re-emerging diseases, pandemic, critical illnesses, and common diseases. You can choose coverage plan from 200,000 – 100,000,000. Entry age is up to 90(1) and coverage is provided until the age of 99(2). Tax deductible benefit is up to 25,000 Baht/year.

Example of premium: 35-year-old female chooses D Health with premium of up to 55 Baht/day, coverage plan of 5 million Baht which is coverage limit per hospitalization, and annual premium payment mode.

For more information, click.

☑️ Tel. 1766

☑️ Contact branches of Kasikornbank and Land and Houses Bank.

Choose lump sum health insurance, choose Muang Thai Life Assurance.

Whatever’s Next, MTL’s NEXT to You.

Always be better every day to move forward with you.

(1) Only Elite Health Plus Rider

(2) Only Elite Health Plus Rider or D Health Rider

Coverage period of the rider must not exceed the coverage period of the life insurance policy that this rider is attached to.
Premium is eligible for tax deduction. Conditions are as specified by the Revenue Department.
Underwriting is subject to the Company’s rules.
Please study the details of coverage, conditions, and exclusions before making a decision to purchase insurance.

Sources: Retrieved on 25/03/22

🔖 Komchadluek (Data as of 21/10/21)

🔖 Thaihealth (Data as of 24/12/20)

🔖 The Government Public Relations Department (Data as of 02/04/21)

🔖 Thaihealth

🔖 Ananda

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