How to plan a Christmas trip to Poland?

We understand how much you want to see your loved ones for Christmas.
How to plan a Christmas trip to Poland?

We understand how much you want to see your loved ones for Christmas.

However, travelling today requires a lot more responsibility - and a lot more effort to prepare for the trip. That's why we have tips for you to hopefully reduce the risk of possible infection of your family and avoid the virus or other, also unpleasant surprises.

Check travel restrictions

The first surprise may be getting to your destination on time. The situation is, to put it nicely, dynamic: we do not have to be afraid of completely closed borders, but a cancelled flight or the necessity to quarantine is possible. Therefore, be sure to check whether you are in for a mandatory quarantine after arriving in Poland, and also check a possible flight ban. The same applies to returning abroad - trouble may arise at the end of your trip.

You will find information on this subject in the media (e.g. on websites for the Polish diaspora) or on government websites e.g. Great Britain, Ireland or Poland.

Stay safe while travelling

The journey itself, contrary to what it may appear, can be quite safe from contracting the coronavirus. All you have to do is follow the same rules that we should follow every day. They are obvious, but let's repeat:

  • a distance of at least one meter
  • mask required
  • keeping hands clean and disinfected

Choose safe transportation

From a safety point of view, the best combination is travelling by plane and car. Research shows that the risk of infection in an airplane is quite low. The reason is the intense ventilation and the way air is distributed in the plane. A bus or train is usually less safe, but here you have a greater distance from your fellow passengers.

However, travelling by plane also means waiting for control or boarding. If you are standing in line, keep your distance and wear a mask to reduce the risk of infection.

After arriving in Poland, go straight to the car you booked in advance (because you booked it, right?). If you choose Carwiz, you can be sure that a safe, previously disinfected car will be waiting for you. Pick it up directly from the airport (or from the city centre if you arrive on a train), to minimize the need to stay in public places. You also won't have to use additional transport, which will further reduce the risk of accidental infection.

It's a good idea to take hand sanitizer with you - and it should be used, for example, after paying in the store, or when you return from the toilet on the way to the car. Just make sure you take the right bottle size with you and pack it according to restrictions. 

 

If you can, limit contact ...

To reduce the risk of unknowingly infecting your loved ones, try to limit contacts to the necessary minimum before visiting. The best option would be, of course, a complete lack of contacts for 14 days after arriving in Poland, but, realistically, few people can afford it. Fortunately, smaller sacrifices still make a difference, for example:

  • limiting leaving the house for essential purchases only
  • Netflix or HBO instead of cinema
  • Zoom-meeting instead of going out to a pub with friends

If you have no symptoms in 14 days, you're considered healthy. Of course, if the isolation period isn't over, it's still possible to become infected, but the fewer contacts, and the safer the circumstances (masks, distance), lower the risk.

If you plan to stay in Poland for a short period, you can start limiting contacts (or isolating, if possible) while you are still abroad. Remember: any such action reduces the risk of infection.

... and take the test

If your loved ones are at increased risk (e.g. due to age or diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity), then getting tested should also be considered. Ideally - at the end of your isolation period and immediately before meeting your loved ones. Preferably - PCR or antigenic. While rapid antibody tests are quick and cheap, they often give a false-positive result (that is, they indicate an infection in healthy people).

Pay attention to the symptoms.

Finally: pay attention to any disturbing symptoms. 

The most common symptoms of coronavirus infection are:

  • high fever
  • cough (mostly dry, rarely wet)
  • shortness of breath
  • difficulty breathing

Loss of smell and taste, muscle pain, headaches, diarrhea and even rash are also less common symptoms.

To address any health concern, consult a doctor online from the comfort of your home and follow their instructions.

Stay healthy and be responsible.