Is wheelchair travelling during Corona Times possible? 

Below we have compiled a list of insights in how, despite Corona you could still have amazing travel experiences, locally or virtually. 

Hope this will give you some motivation to seek out travel experiences even during these difficult times. Please share your experience with us and Happy travels!

Travel tips in your country/region

Even though usually we are all about going beyond paths well travelled to far away places, under the current circumstances, we are searching for local travel information/events/tours in your region.

1. Wear a mask!

For wheelchair users or people with visual impairments, it is advisable to wear a mask in busy places, even outdoors. Some people cannot judge the distance of 6 inches or 1.5 metres correctly. For disabled people it is often not easy to quickly react and avoid people up close. Better save than to be sorry.

Also, wear the proper mask. It has now been proven by numerous studies that wearing tight-fitting FFP2 masks (in Asia: KN95) or medical masks (MNS) reduces the risk of infection significantly, while cloth masks hardly do – regardless how cute they look. ?

2. Follow the rules at the destination

Even when travelling to a neighbouring region, the Corona rules may differ at the destination. Check which rules are currently applied at the destination when planning your trip and update yourself shortly before departure. 

3. Avoid visiting indoor areas

Numerous studies confirm that people mainly get Covid infected while being indoors. Transmission via so-called aerosols (small particles containing the virus) can also occur over several metres and even through ventilation systems. We therefore recommend that all persons who have an increased risk of becoming seriously ill or even dying from Covid19 avoid indoor areas with many people. The risk of infection decreases the more air volume a room has. In large halls such as museums, the risk of infection is lower than in smaller rooms with low ceilings such as restaurants. 

Source: Hermann Rietschel Institut | TU Berlin

4. Avoid busy places

Of course, for many disabled people, busy places are not desirable destinations anyway. This is even more true in Corona times, as it may not be easy to get out of the way with a wheelchair, guide dog, etc. Before you take a risk, find out in advance when is the best time to visit a place of interest.

Yehliu Geopark in Taiwan (2013)
Yehliu Geopark in Taiwan (2013)

5. Plan your journey

Unfortunately, we have often experienced that in Corona times, services for people with disabilities are sometimes temporarily suspended or changed at short notice. Therefore, find out in advance whether buses are running as scheduled, boarding services for trains or planes are available or whether services have been cancelled. Our tip: It is better to make a phone call than to rely on websites which are usually outdated.

6. Prepare together with your companion

If you are dependent on assistance, you should tell your companion in advance of an excursion, what is particularly important to you. Of course, this also applies during Corona times. The clearer you communicate your needs and principles in advance, the less stressful the trip will be. Make it clear in which situations you insist on your companion wearing a mask. If you need help putting on and taking off the mask, practice the individual steps in advance. In many countries, priority has been given to vaccinating carers. They are much less likely to be infectious.

Here are a few travel tips for Central Europe:

Travelling long distances

Such trips are also possible in Corona times, but you should bear in mind that your return date could be delayed by weeks due to changing visa and lock-down regulations.

Also make sure to check what the regulations are at your destination regarding COVID-19 testing, quarantine and visa requirements and make sure you stay up to date as they may change from week to week.  Also check what your employer will say if you are stuck at your destination for an extended period of time. It is also important to check what kind of insurance will cover you abroad for corona symptoms and whether you can get your medication you need in the destination country in case you need to stay longer. 

Virtual travel

If the risk seems too great or you have no other option, you can always travel virtually. There are now several virtual tours.