Covid-19 Travel Tips for Indonesian Travelers to Ensure a Safe Family Vacation

KOMPAS.com – As the year-end holiday inches closer, there are Covid-19 travel tips that Indonesian travelers can follow to ensure a safe trip for the whole family.

An epidemiologist at the Indonesian Public Health Association (IAKMI), Hermawan Saputra,  highlighted the importance of behavioral management ahead of and during the holiday rush.

“If you are bringing toddlers to a tourist attraction site then it is best that anyone who is not a member of the core family does not touch your baby.”

Herman said that the objective of such acts is to avoid any virus transmission as parents may not know with whom non-family members met prior to the reunion.

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Given that toddlers and babies do not have the autonomy to think and decide for themselves, it is of utmost importance that adults decide on the proper behavior management approach.

“Do not allow someone outside the core family to hold your baby. Remember that babies cannot interact with other people if the parents do not allow it.”

“There may be an individual who finds your baby adorable and would like to hold or play with him or her, but allowing it is risky. That’s why behavioral management is important for this scenario.”

Managing children

Other Covid-19 travel tips for Indonesian travelers with children include close monitoring by the parents to avoid the child being infected by the deadly virus.

At a tourist attraction, a child may want to play with other children thus it is up to the parent to educate their offspring on proper health protocols.

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“Teach them good behaviors that have been adapted to the pandemic such as wearing a face mask. Today, there are face masks specifically for children.”

Among the other Covid-19 travel tips for Indonesian travelers with kids is to give kids hand sanitizers that can easily fit in their pockets. However, it is equally important for parents to explain when and where a child should use hand sanitizer.

“Children must still be monitored. They have more awareness and understanding than babies so they can be taught [these health protocols].”