Traveling in covid-19 times

In 2020: year of fear, uncertainty and renewal of personal and professional resolutions, the pleasure of traveling is magnified for a thousand reasons that I want to share with you.

First of all, I would like to comment on the enormous difference in responsibilities and measures between countries in the face of the unfortunate Covid-19.

Arriving at the airport of Barajas – Madrid, Spain is a gladiatorial feat due to the incoherent work of the army of police and doctors who are monitoring the passengers.

Their presence is a mere bureaucratic formality or what we all call, a false front by the government to convince us that they are doing their job well.

It is the airline in question who actually ensures the operation of the protocols established to maintain the safety of the traveler. They ask you for 3 important documents that you need to present at boarding: Health Control Form (25€), Negative PCR Test (99€) and Boarding Pass; they monitor the health control and distancing inside the plane; and they maintain a personalized treatment to travelers with doubtful health aspect.

However, in countries like Ireland or Mexico (my two trips this year), the major responsibility for sanitary measures is assumed by the airport controls. In addition to checking the required travel documents, they take your temperature at least twice at the airport and sanitize your luggage and personal items such as your handbag and cell phone.

During the first 5 days of your stay in the country, they continue to monitor your temperature in the hotel and make several phone calls to advise the traveler about the health authorities to which he/she can go in case of any symptoms.

Safety when traveling in times of crisis is guaranteed by all the measures taken firstly by the traveler before and after his flight; secondly by the professional work of airlines such as Aeromexico and Aer Lingus, and finally by all the tourist companies such as hotels that are responsible for complying with the necessary sanitary protocols in all their facilities.