What it’s like to be on the road again.

How long has it been since you traveled for work?

Until very recently, February 29, 2020, was the last time I took a flight. I remember the exact day because it was leap year.

I was flying to the East Coast from London.

The burgeoning pandemic wasn’t yet known to be in London or the US – it was contained to China, Korea, and Italy. Despite this, a woman was drug off my plane with potential Covid.

It was scary.

Then , lockdown started days later, and my frequent flier miles were put on what felt like indefinite hold.

Fast forward to six weeks ago, September 18, 2021.

As I was getting out of my car at the airport for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, I was terrified. Although I knew many people who had flown, I was scared to start again. But work called. In the next six weeks, I would be in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, London, Tucson, Charlotte, and Switzerland – all for business.

Suffice to say, business travel is back. If it hasn’t reached your company yet, it probably will soon. Here’s what to expect and how to stay sane.

5 Ways to Prepare for Travelling During the Pandemic

Keep Your Vaccination Records Close

In Switzerland, I was asked for my covid vaccine documentation to enter every restaurant, bar, and office – even to sit in the hotel lobby. Not only did I need my vaccine records to get on the plane, but I also needed them nearly everywhere I went.

If you’re traveling to or within Europe, you’ll need your vaccine records constantly.

In many cities in the US, this is true as well. Los Angeles and New York City have some mandates for covid passports, especially for larger group events and indoor dining.

I was recently in Pittsburgh, and while there isn’t a mandate there, many restaurants independently required covid vaccine records to enter. Heck – I even needed my vaccine records to enter a spa in Santa Fe!

Keep your records close. If your state or country has a system for digital certificates, obtain a digital copy of your records with a QR code that can be scanned. Take a screenshot of your digital pass so you don’t need internet connectivity to pull up your digital records.

If you haven’t yet taken the vaccine, heavily consider doing so now. Many businesses now require them for employment and traveling in and out of most countries requires proof of vaccination as well.

I’ve been sent notices from many of our clients that no unvaccinated individuals are allowed in their offices. Remember that it takes, at minimum, seven weeks for full immunity. Start now if you haven’t yet so you’ll be ready in a pinch.

Expect to Test (and test, and test…)

I had 5 covid tests in 7 days.

The UK required one within 72 hours of flight, then another two days after arrival, after which the US required one within 72 hours of entry. Switzerland was similar.

Be prepared that even if you’re fully vaccinated and you’re traveling internationally, you’re likely to have to go for a covid test pre-flight. Go to the CDC or your country’s equivalent website, the airline website, and the country where you’re traveling’s website.

Be prepared!

There is more than one type of covid test, and you may need to make an appointment. While many airports have covid testing, it may pay to get your results sooner so you have the peace of mind that you can fly.

Personally, I wouldn’t want to get to the airport and find a massive line that could make me miss my flight.

Be aware that some countries, including the UK, require people to go to specific clinics and get their tests. Make sure you make an appointment and know the lay of the land before leaving the ground. Appointments should be made well in advance too.

Prepare for the Plane

You’ll be in your mask the whole time, so bring a comfortable one.

I’ve been upgrading my flights so I can get on the plane first, leave first, and have more space. Even with that luxury, it can still be uncomfortable when people are pushing.

Prepare to wear a mask the whole time and to be patient with everyone else. Tensions are still high, but at this point, most people know that they’ll have to wear a mask the whole time.

Wearing a mask for 12 hours or more isn’t comfortable, but I got used to it pretty quickly.

To shake hands or not?

Far and away the least comfortable part of the emerging new normal is determining how to greet others. In one office that I visited in the US, everyone immediately put out their hands to shake. In the offices I was in last week in Europe, no one did.

Plan your strategy early and implement it consistently.

I’m not yet comfortable shaking hands with people I’ve not met, so I’ve adopted putting my hands together in front of my chest nodding my head, and bowing ever so slightly. This allows me to recognize the other person while not directly touching. I have a colleague who has adopted the fist bump and another who offers the elbow-to-elbow touch.

Regardless of your comfort level, be sure to consider that of others. Pay attention to body language when you meet so you don’t put the other person in an awkward position to reject your overture.

Remember, we’re all in a different situation

Some people are delighted to be getting back out to travel and into the world. Others are highly trepidatious, especially if they are immunocompromised, caring for higher-risk people, or have children at home too young to be immunized.

Many people don’t divulge this type of information, so the best thing you can do is take a conservative stance and wait for others to remove their masks indoors, shake hands, or choose to be closer than six feet away.

Six weeks ago, travel felt extremely uncomfortable for me. Now that I’m back in the groove, it feels like it never stopped, albeit with some unusual new elements like finding testing sites and carrying two or three masks at all times.

The joys of travel are still there – new clients, new friends, new food, new memories, and renewed and deepened relationships.

Overall, I’m happy to be back on the road again.

New York and London…I’ll see you in three weeks!