Having operated throughout COVID 19, Clyde would like to share some advice on what to consider when getting your people moving again.
Essential travel has been ongoing throughout the pandemic, maintaining supply globally, manning rigs and vessels, all helping to keep our daily lives operating as normally as possible, and due to our customer base that includes many of these personnel, Clyde have been at the forefront of adapting to the challenges COVID 19 has presented.
With hope on the horizon in the form of a vaccine, and pent up demand for business travel to commence, here’s what we have learnt on our journey with our customers who have travelled throughout.
- PCR tests (Fit to Fly certificates) – be clear on what is accepted in the country you are arriving into. Some regions will only accept tests and certificates from appointed laboratories and the validity relies on when the test was conducted, generally 48-72 hours for most countries. Consider direct routes where possible to avoid invalidating test results with missed or delayed connections.
- Cancellations are rife, as airlines assess the commercial viability on a flight by flight basis, we have seen an increase in flight cancellations. Make sure you book a flexible ticket with minimal penalties.
- Restrictions – a moving feast. Border restrictions are constantly changing and are likely to for some time, so at Clyde we check our customers travel arrangements can still happen up to the point of departure, to avoid them getting stranded or turned away.
- Question decisions made on entry into countries. With so many changes to restrictions and tests, we have seen customers challenged at airports by staff who are not fully aware of the current situation. Don’t be afraid to firmly, but fairly ask for clarification.
- Have a back up plan. Pre-COVID it was unusual to have regular travel disruptions outside of weather etc. so anticipate disruption and plan accordingly. Travel Policies should cover ‘what if’ scenarios.
There are lots of considerations to enable people to travel safely, but it’s not impossible… just different. Plan, inform and comply to get your people moving again. It can be done. Speak to Clyde, we don’t dabble we do.
Get in touch if you need advice at sales@clydetravel.com
