Travellers
How to Travel Safely During Heat Waves
Summer vacation presents a wonderful opportunity to explore new destinations. However, during the warmer months, soaring temperatures necessitate careful planning to ensure health safety, especially as many people travel for work, medical treatment, or personal reasons. Here are some effective tips for traveling safely during summer heat waves.
Health Risks During Extreme Heat Waves
Heat waves bring a range of health risks, from mild heat cramps and exhaustion to severe, potentially life-threatening heatstroke. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Recognizing the signs of heat-related illnesses is crucial. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, excessive sweating, weakness, nausea, and a rapid heartbeat. If you or someone you are traveling with experiences these symptoms, it's important to seek shade, rest, and rehydrate immediately. In severe cases, medical attention should be sought promptly.
Read more: Summer Tips for School-going Children
How to Stay Safe While Traveling During the Scorching Heat of Summer
Planning Ahead
Before embarking on your summer travels, careful planning is necessary. Check the weather forecast for your destination and schedule activities during the cooler parts of the day, typically early mornings and evenings. Be aware of any heat advisories or warnings and adjust your plans accordingly. Consider whether your accommodation has air conditioning, which can be crucial during heat waves.
Dress Appropriately
Opt for lightweight, loose-fitting clothing made from breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. Light colors, such as white or pastels, reflect sunlight and help keep you cool. Moisture-wicking garments can also reduce sweat and discomfort.
Read more: Summer Drinks: Refreshing Homemade Sherbets to Beat the Heat
Stay Hydrated
Water is vital in the heat. To combat dehydration, a common risk during hot weather, drink plenty of fluids. Carry a refillable water bottle and drink regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary or caffeinated beverages, as they can lead to further dehydration.
6 months ago
Tips to Prevent Food Poisoning while Travelling
Travelling is an exciting adventure that exposes us to new cultures, cuisines, and experiences. However, amidst the excitement, one must be vigilant about food safety to ensure a healthy trip. Food poisoning can quickly turn a dream vacation into a nightmare. In this article, we will delve into useful tips to safeguard the tourists against food borne illnesses while on the move.
Practical Ways to Prevent Food Borne Illness While Travelling
Research Local Cuisine
Before journey, travellers need to delve into the local culinary scene and customary food safety protocols of their destination. This preliminary research equips them to make the right decisions about dining options. Understanding the local food landscape helps to anticipate what is in store and make choices that align with your own preferences and safety. It ensures a more enjoyable and worry-free gastronomic experience.
Choose Reputable Restaurants
It is better to select well-established, reputable restaurants renowned for their commitment to hygiene and patron safety. These dining venues adhere to rigorous cleanliness standards. This certifies a secure and pleasant dining environment. By choosing such establishments, a traveller not only guarantees a delightful culinary experience but also prioritises his or her health and well-being. In this case, the traveller knows that the food served is prepared and handled with the highest regard for safety and quality.
Read more: 7 Comforting Soups for Upset Stomach
Avoid Street Vendors with Poor Hygiene
Indulging in street food is tempting, but be discerning—steer clear of vendors with questionable hygiene. Instead, one may opt for those who maintain visible cleanliness and serve a steady stream of customers. Prioritising hygiene in street food adventures makes sure a safer culinary experience. It allows one to relish local flavours without compromising well-being during travels.
Drink Bottled Water
In certain regions, it is always suggested to opt for bottled water to guarantee safe consumption. It is safe to prioritise bottles with an unbroken seal, verifying their authenticity. This cautious approach ensures traveller’s hydration is clean and secure. It safeguards their health during travels. They should always try to make an informed choice to keep themselves refreshed and well, no matter where they go.
Wash Fruits and Vegetables Thoroughly
Before consuming raw fruits and vegetables, it is essential to wash them meticulously with clean water. This process helps eliminate any potential contaminants, including dirt, pesticides, or bacteria. It guarantees that what one eats is fresh, safe, and free of harmful substances. Taking this simple precaution significantly contributes to a healthy and enjoyable dining experience.
Read more: Upset Stomach Remedies: What to eat, drink and avoid
1 year ago
Drowning Prevention: Open Water Safety Precautions for Travellers
When tourists and travellers embark on their adventures, they often seek out new experiences and explore unfamiliar environments. Unfortunately, open water accidents and drowning incidents can occur, posing a significant risk to their safety.
Lack of swimming skills, underestimating water conditions, lack of awareness about local safety measures, and unfamiliarity with the water environment are mainly responsible for the accidents. It is crucial for tourists and travellers, especially those going into the ocean, river, or any open water bodies, to be aware of the potential dangers and take necessary precautions to prevent drowning.
Open Water Safety Tips for Tourists
Learn Swimming Skills
It is highly recommended to have basic swimming skills before going into open water. Travellers need to take swimming lessons to improve their abilities and build confidence. Knowing how to float, tread water, and swim basic strokes can significantly enhance your safety in the water.
Stay within Your Comfort Zone
It's essential to assess one’s own swimming abilities and stay within one’s comfort zone. Avoid venturing into deep or fast-flowing water, if one is not confident.
It’s always safe not to attempt activities beyond your own skill level, such as diving in unfamiliar areas or swimming long distances without proper training. When the tourists attempt to swim in a new area, they should try to stick where they feel comfortable and safe, considering their swimming proficiency and experience.
Read more: United efforts needed to prevent death in drowning: Ambassador Mustafizur
Take Local Advice
Bangladesh is known for its vast network of rivers, and some areas have strong currents. It would be better to familiarise yourself with the water conditions and potential hazards in the specific location you plan to visit. Currents can be unpredictable, so it is important to understand their behaviour and take necessary precautions.
Travellers can seek advice from local authorities, experienced water sports professionals, or knowledgeable guides. The local people can provide valuable insights about the local water conditions, any specific precautions to take, and areas to avoid.
Observe Warning Signs
Experts suggest paying close attention to warning signs, flags, or instructions from local authorities regarding water conditions. These signs may indicate high tide, strong currents, dangerous areas, or any other potential hazards. Tourists should always follow these guidelines to ensure their own safety.
Wear a Life Jacket
If you are not a strong swimmer or when participating in activities like boating, kayaking, or rafting, wearing a properly fitted life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) can enhance safety. Life jackets provide buoyancy and can save lives in the event of an accident or unexpected water conditions. Besides, it is necessary to ensure the life jacket is in good condition and properly fastened.
Read more: Bangladesh leads WHO in adopting resolutions to reduce drowning mortality
1 year ago
No self-isolation in Britain for fully jabbed Bangladeshi travellers
From Monday, fully vaccinated Bangladeshi nationals will no longer have to self-isolate on arrival in the UK.
This is because the British government has added Bangladesh to the list of countries with approved proof of Covid vaccination, effective October 11.
"Bangladesh vaccine certification is now recognized by the British authorities. Our Mission contacted them and described our processes and now they recognize our vaccine certification," said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.
Also read: Covid: Dhaka advocates an equal shot at recovery
High Commissioner for Bangladesh to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem said "the decision is a reflection of warm bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the UK".
The decision is also a result of the High Commission’s sustained diplomatic efforts to remove the remaining obstacles to business, tourism and essential travel between the two countries, she said.
"From 4am Monday (October 11), Bangladeshi nationals fully vaccinated with UK-approved vaccines will no longer require a 10-day hotel or home quarantine and a pre-departure Covid test."
However, a Covid test should be taken on or before Day 2 after arrival in the UK. Also, Vaccination certificates issued by relevant Bangladesh authorities are required for all travellers as proof of inoculation status.
Also read: Bangladesh calls for fair, balanced IP regime system to fight COVID
The travellers who have not been fully vaccinated with a UK-authorised jab must quarantine for 10 days, either at home or where they are staying, and should undergo a Day 2 and Day 8 Covid test.
On September 17, Bangladesh was removed from the UK government's travel red list, which came into effect at 4am on September 22.
Bahrain
Bahrain has decided to remove Bangladesh from red list countries starting from October 10, said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.
He said everyday hundreds of Bangladeshis who returned from Bahrain ask when Bahrain would open up. "Today we have a good news."
3 years ago
Royal Tulip introduces e-gift card for travellers
Royal Tulip Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa introduced an e-gift card for travellers, with more than 50 facilities, on its sixth founding anniversary.
The guests, who have this card, will get accommodation, food, spa and other facilities at the resort.
Royal Tulip CEO Qazi ASM Anisul Kabir said: "We have been trying to come up with new offers and facilities for the travel-lovers since the beginning. The new gift card is part of that practice."
Read IBBL launches Shariah-based dual currency cards
Mahmud Russel, director of sales and marketing at Royal Tulip, said: "Many tourists want to give a travel gift to their friends, families or colleagues. But it is quite tough to give such gifts as a lot of issues are associated with travel. We have launched the card to resolve the problem."
Royal Tulip, located at Inani beach of Cox's Bazar, organised a special event to mark its sixth anniversary Wednesday, according to a media statement.
Nestled in the heart of nature, along the world's longest natural sandy beach, the resort is spread over 15 acres. It is located 40 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Cox's Bazar city, with easy accessibility to all the major tourists.
Read bKash customers can now add money from 29 banks, Visa, Mastercard
3 years ago
Philippines to lift travel ban on Bangladesh Monday
The Philippines will lift the restrictions imposed on travellers from Bangladesh and nine other countries from Monday.
In a statement, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation of the pandemic task force to lift the ban on travellers coming from these countries.
The countries are Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, according to a news carried by Philstar.com and shared by the Embassy of Philippines on its verified Facebook page.
Also read: Delta concerns: Philippines extends travel ban for Bangladesh, 9 other countries
The travel ban was imposed in a bid to ward off the hyper contagious Delta variant, which is now driving a surge in COVID-19 infections in the country.
International travellers coming from the abovementioned countries will, however, have to comply with the appropriate entry, testing and quarantine protocols, depending on the country’s approved ‘listing.'
Also read: Philippines reopens gyms, museums as surge ebbs
3 years ago
Travellers now can carry $10,000 during foreign trip
The government has raised the ceiling of carrying foreign exchange for every passenger to $10,000 from $5,000 during any trip abroad.
4 years ago