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Borders open, borders closed, hotel quarantine, self-quarantine, face masks, social-distancing, sanitising, virus testing…you just want to take a holiday!
It’s been an interesting year and many of us are feeling the need to get away. Booking a holiday should be about taking a break from the stresses of daily life, not adding to them. Here are some anxiety-busting tips to consider when booking your next holiday:
- Travel within your state or territory – be a tourist in your own state. Australia has some amazing places to visit, some of which may be closer than you think. Visit your state or territory’s tourism website for ideas on places to go without crossing a border.
- Check the cancellation policy – when booking flights, accommodation, car hire, activities and other related expenses, read the cancellation policy carefully.
- Look for flights that offer refunds or credit vouchers if your plans change
- Look for accommodation that doesn’t require a deposit upfront or allows free cancellation until close to your travel date
- Make sure car hire can be cancelled without penalty
- Book activities, experiences and theme park passes closer to your travel date if they don’t have favourable cancellation policies.
- Limited venue capacity – be aware that many entertainment, food and beverage venues currently have limited capacity due to COVID restrictions and social distancing requirements so book ahead if you don’t want to be disappointed.
- Face masks – depending on where you are going and the mode of transport you use, you may be asked to wear a face mask, in some cases it may be mandatory. Be prepared for this possibility.
- Border passes and declarations – Some restrictions are still in place in all states and territories so if you are travelling interstate make sure you have up to date information on whether you will be allowed entry into another state or territory, whether you will be allowed back into your home state without quarantining and what border declarations or passes will be required for each leg of your trip.
It is possible to have a fun or relaxing holiday during COVID, you just need to be flexible, be prepared and stay up to date with restrictions and travel advice.
