A few travel bans have been lifted and some of us are itching to spend the holidays out. Here are the dos and don’ts of spending the holidays out.
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We’re almost a year in quarantine and many of us are experiencing some intense cabin fever. It’s no wonder why we’ve been seeing many of our friends and family having staycations in nearby hotels or spending a weekend in neighboring provinces. Now that the holidays are fast approaching, Manileños are looking for a way out. Maybe they’re going back to their relatives for the holidays or simply looking for a serene space to unwind. Whichever of those situations you may be in, we’d like to wish you well on your travels and give you a bit of advice before you go. Of course, let’s not forget we’re still experiencing a global pandemic. If there is any chance you can hold it out for a bit and stay home, then please do.
Fortunately for you, I’ve been on both a hotel staycation and an out of town trip during the pandemic. Both were for work reasons, but an out-of-the-house experience nonetheless. So, without further ado, here are the dos and don’ts of traveling during a pandemic.
Hotel Staycation
About a month ago, I stayed in Grand Hyatt Manila located in Bonifacio Global City. Before the staycation would even begin, it’s important to find a hotel that follows all the safety and regulatory rules imposed by the government. You can even look for hotels that aim for high ratings in inspections by independent third parties such as ISO 22000 and HACCP. Luckily for us, Grand Hyatt Manila followed all regulations and exceeded the standards—leading us to a restful stay.
Do
1. Book a room in a hotel that follows all safety guidelines.
2. Find a hotel that requires and provides an antigen swab test.
3. Bring a disinfectant spray for your room.
Don’t
1. Stay in a hotel that has a public commercial space in it.
2. Eat in a regular hotel buffet (Instead, ask for the food to be sent to your table).
3. Invite other guests to your hotel room without the proper screening.
Out-Of-Town Vacation
A few weeks ago, the MEGAStyle team went on a long drive to Dasol, Pangasinan at the edge of Luzon. We had a cover shoot in Sirom Beach House with our December star, Jach Manere. Going on an out of town road trip is definitely harder than staying within Metro Manila. If you’re planning on going on a road trip, you’d need the following documents: antigen swab test result, medical certificate, and a travel pass from your barangay. Some barangays have extra requirements, so it would be best to ask them directly.
Do
1. Check with the resort if the travel ban has been lifted in their area.
2. Schedule an appointment for an antigen swab test with a clinic in Manila.
3. Consult with your barangay about all the necessary documents required before filing a travel pass.
Don’t
1. Process your paperwork less than or more than a week before you go.
2. Get paperwork for only one person in the group.
3. Schedule your departure time during curfew hours.
If you’d like more tips on spending the holidays out, then make some noise at our socials. We can give an in depth guide to traveling during a pandemic to those of you who need it.