Kurdish travellers on Clubhouse

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Three things to consider when travelling during COVID-19 times
As Europe continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be difficult to know if, how, when and where you can travel. To make planning your next trip a little easier, we have put together a list of five key things to consider before you travel.
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1. Have you had any symptoms recently?

Firstly, you need to think carefully about your own COVID-19 status. Do not travel if you, or those you have had contact with, have recently had any symptoms of COVID-19. According to the World Health Organization, the most common symptoms are a fever, dry cough and tiredness, and there are various less-common symptoms too. Serious symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, and loss of speech or movement. If you have not had symptoms but are at particularly high risk of serious illness, you will also need to consider whether the travel is worth the risk.



2. What are the rules and restrictions in the country you are travelling to?

If you are unsure about the current advice and rules for travelling to an EU country, make sure you use the ‘Re-open EU’ tool, a new online platform to keep you up to date on the latest travel advice. It contains information on which countries are allowing visitors, how you can travel to them, and what measures you’ll face on arrival. The tool is updated every 24 hours, available in 24 languages, and includes an interactive map to help you plan your trip. If you have specific questions, Eurodesk can also provide personalised advice. You can find your closest information point using this helpful map.


3. Do you have travel insurance that covers COVID-19?

Some providers may offer travel insurance covering medical expenses or cancellation relating to COVID-19. However, this kind of cover is not typical – many insurers are not currently offering such policies – so you should check if your insurance covers this. If you don’t already have insurance, you’ll need to look into your options before you go. Always travel with your European Health Insurance Card, too. You can get this from your national health insurance provider.