If you aren’t staying home this summer, chances are that you’re panicking about what to pack for a holiday during a pandemic. It’s hard enough packing for a holiday in normal times, but at the moment it is even more confusing. We’ve compiled a list of everything you need to pack to help you to stay safe when travelling this year. Print this and use it as a checklist whenever you’re packing for a trip this year.
Hand sanitiser
Don’t travel anywhere without your hand sanitiser! Make sure you are carrying one under 100ml in your hand luggage so you can take it onto the plane with you and clean your hands before and after touching anything. We recommend keeping this on you at all times when travelling, so you can be confident that your hands are clean and germ-free.
Antibacterial wipes
Carry a pack of antibacterial wipes to wipe down surfaces such as armrests and your tray table on planes, handlebars 
of rented bikes and door handles in your hotel room. Along with using hand sanitiser, this will help to prevent you from picking up the virus from touching surfaces.
Facemasks
Facemasks are now essential in most destinations. Make sure you read up on the rules for the country you are visiting – some places require you to wear them both indoors and outdoors in public spaces. To be on the safe side, wear a face covering when using public transport, when entering a shop or restaurant, and when walking in a crowded area. Ensure you have enough facemasks for the duration of your trip. You should change your mask every four hours, so if you have an eight-hour flight you will need three masks when factoring in your time at the airport.
Travel laundry detergent
You may not usually do your washing when you’re travelling, but your facemasks will be getting plenty of use. Carry a travel laundry detergent and hand wash your masks daily in the sink, leaving them to air dry. As a bonus, you could get away with packing less overall and wash your clothes halfway through your trip!
Water bottle
Carry your own water bottle and fill it up before boarding your flight. If you have a long flight, you should also consider bringing your own meals and snacks. Some airlines aren’t serving food and drink at all, but you will have less chance of catching the virus if you stay clear of items handled by other people like serving trays and plastic cups.
Your own toiletries and cutlery
You might normally rely on the toiletries that are supplied in your hotel room, but be wary that previous guests may have used them. It’s best to be on the safe side and carry your own toiletries, such as shampoo and shower gel. The same goes for cutlery – carry a reusable bamboo set in your bag at all times. Not only is it better for the environment than accepting plastic cutlery with takeaway food it’s also one less thing to touch.
Emergency funds
Ensure that you have extra money saved in a bank account that you can easily access. Situations are rapidly changing, and it’s possible that you may need to change your flights at short notice or book extra accommodation if a lockdown occurs in your destination. It’s always good to be prepared in case of an emergency or unexpected situation.
Emma Lavelle is a UK based writer and photographer and has her own blog Field and Nest.
