How to stay safe when you travel

“South Africa is still recording thousands of new COVID-19 infections daily, so we must continue to be cautious,” says Dr Mosima Mabunda, Head of Wellness at Discovery Vitality. 

“In line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s guidance, let’s work together to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 infection in South Africa,” she adds.

Dr Mabunda shares the following tips to stay safe while you travel:

• Don’t make travel plans if you are feeling sick. Even if you don’t have COVID-19, a compromised immune system makes you more vulnerable.
• Follow the World Health Organisation’s recommended guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
  • Wear a mask.
  • Keep a physical distance of 1.5 metres or more between you and others.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water and use an alcohol-based sanitiser.
  • When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue. Throw away the tissue immediately.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
• If you are over 60 or have comorbidities, stay home to limit your exposure.
• If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or are experiencing any symptoms, you must stay home to limit the potential spread of infection to others. Even if you are not experiencing symptoms, you could still spread the virus to someone else.
• When travelling by bus, train, taxi or domestic flight, wear a mask and don’t touch other people, objects or surfaces. Wash your hands immediately for 20 seconds when you reach your destination.
• If you are staying in a hotel, use online reservation and check-in systems, mobile room keys and contactless payment when available.
• Phone ahead to ask about the hotel’s strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Limit your use of common areas as much as possible, for example, bathrooms, ATMs, hot tubs, swimming pools, salons, gyms, spas.
• Take stairs over elevators. Otherwise, ride alone or only with close family members.
• Use contactless and self-service options when available.

“As our President has said before, COVID-19 spreads through contact between people. If people do not travel, the virus doesn’t travel,” Dr Mabunda adds, “So, be responsible and cautious when you leave your home.”

What’s the update for members?

With great anticipation, Vitality’s much-missed travel is now open for domestic and international flight bookings, plus local holiday accommodation and car hire.

Vitality Health members with a qualifying Discovery Bank product with Vitality Money can save up to 75% on domestic flights with kulula.com. British Airways (operated by Comair) have also resumed operations.

With international flights also open, Vitality Health members can save between 10% and 35% on Emirates and with British Airways International flights becoming available in due course. Plus, qualifying Discovery Bank clients with Vitality Money can save an additional up to 40% on international flights. So, if you’re a Vitality Health member with Vitality Money, you can save up to 75% when you book your next international flight.

Your maximum international flight saving is based on your Vitality Health and Vitality Money status, your Discovery Bank product and card colour, and your average spend on your qualifying Discovery Bank credit card.

We invite you to join us on Wednesday 2 December at 17:30 for our webinar, “Should I stay, or should I go? Tips on how to stay safe this holiday season”. To sign up, visit : our webinar sign up link; Should I Stay or Should I Go? And get the latest updates from the world of Vitality and our travel partners here. DM