What will 'sanitised travel' look like for Malaysians after the pandemic?

There are safety measures, such as temperature screening, to curb Covid-19. - Photos: AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

With citizens all over the world practising social distancing and re-evaluating their holiday plans in the future, travelling in the age of Covid-19 is set to change as we know it.

But for those passionate about discovering exotic beaches or trekking lush nature trails, they might still want to pursue that wanderlust – coronavirus or not. This has paved way for "sanitised travel", the idea of maintaining health and safety measures throughout a journey.

Airline marketing strategy firm SimpliFlying outlined some of these measures for the aviation sector in a report recently. As for the hospitality industry, hoteliers and big hotel chains have stepped up cleanliness and disinfection processes at their properties.

ALSO READ: Will 'sanitised travel' keep you safe while travelling amid Covid-19?

Here are some post Covid-19 travel measures that could very well be the new normal moving forward.

1. The immunity passport

SimpliFlying suggests that this documentation will confirm whether said traveller has the required antibodies for Covid-19. This is very much similar to the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate that we have in Malaysia.

Editor's note: Scroll down to watch video of 'What will 'sanitised travel' look like?' below.

2. Sanitised baggage

Remember how we’re always reminded to tag our bags properly, lest we arrive at our destination with no change of clothes? SimpliFlying suggests the idea that your bag might also be "sanitagged" moving forward.

What this means is that it will be disinfected upon entering the X-ray machine. This will be done through fogging, UV-ray disinfection or other "quick" cleaning techniques. Cleared bagged will then be, you guessed it,"sanitagged".

Every section of the airport, including the conveyor belts where luggage and bags are passed through, will be disinfected periodically each day.

3. Hospital standards... in your hotel room

Those sceptical about hotel sheets might sleep a little better knowing that the hospitality industry will tighten cleanliness and disinfection in guest rooms. This could mean antibacterial bath gels instead of that all-natural bar of soap for bathroom amenities.

Hilton recently announced that it is partnering with the maker of Lysol and Dettol, well-known antibacterial brands, to ensure a cleaner and safer housekeeping.

4. No more sending off loved ones at airports

That tearful goodbye at the departure gate as your loved ones board a long-haul flight might soon be a thing we only see in movies. It is likely that only those travelling will be allowed to enter the airport.

Apart from that, passengers will also be required to arrive earlier to clear health and boarding checks.

That tearful goodbye at the departure gate as your loved ones board a long-haul flight might soon be a thing we only see in movies.

5. Bring your own mask

Multiple airlines have stressed that it is the responsibility of passengers to make sure they are fit to fly before booking any flight. And moving forward, it’s also passengers' responsibility to bring their own mask, or be barred from boarding.

The face mask is a regular fixture amid the coronavirus.

6. Maintain your distance

Oh, and that friendly conversation with the good-looking person seated beside you? Ha! Do you think this is a Taylor Swift love song? Welcome to the age of social distancing, and that could very well mean a more sparse flight seating. SimpliFlying suggests that you will probably be assigned seats by check-in agents to optimise in-flight distancing.