For many people in the United Kingdom, international travel has become a buzzword. With travel restrictions in place for the majority of the last year, it is clear that many of us are looking forward to a pleasant change of scenery in 2021 to a country that offers warmer weather and a variety of activities.
While moving abroad to places like Abu Dhabi or Saudi Arabia may seem like a pipe dream right now, we’re here to assure you that expats looking to relocate abroad after the UK’s lockdown can do so with the help of an experienced international removals company.
Despite the current climate, it is possible to complete your dream move; however, expats must take legal and medical precautions before moving. Some of the most important precautions to take before relocating are as follows:
Check Whether It Is Safe to Move
It is critical to consider your and your family’s safety before considering relocating to another country.
It is critical to conduct research on your chosen destination to ensure that your international move goes as smoothly as possible. More specifically, what steps have been taken to limit the spread of COVID-19 to a manageable level.
This varies by country, which is why doing research into how the country you plan to relocate to handled the pandemic can ensure you have a complete understanding of how safe it is to move.
Another area to focus on is the government’s list of countries that “no longer pose an unacceptable high risk to British people travelling abroad” and check to see if your international destination is on the list.
Currently, the United Kingdom has a restriction on international travel that is subject to change. It is critical to research and plan your international relocation while keeping current restrictions in mind.
Moving abroad will always involve some risk; however, consider whether the risk level is low enough for you to feel comfortable taking the risk.
Follow the Government Guidelines Whilst Travelling
If you are in good enough health to travel, the following government-approved guidelines should be followed:
- Avoid the busiest times and routes (contact your airport for more information).
- Stay two metres from other people, where possible.
- Wash your hands regularly, for at least 20 seconds.
- Sanitise your hands where it is not possible to wash them.
- Use online check-in services to avoid face-to-face interactions at the airport.
- Keep hand luggage to a minimum.
- Be sure to remain seated around the airport and on your plane, as much as possible.
- Wear a mask on the plane, shops, and the rest of the airport.
Do Not Move If You Are Sick
While this may seem obvious, it is worth repeating: if you have had COVID-19 symptoms in the last seven days, you should get a COVID test and postpone your international move.
This is a requirement in many countries and should be completed prior to moving.
Be Sure to Check That Your International Move Is Legal
Due to the uncertainty within the last year, governments around the world have constantly changed their restrictions for people arriving from other countries. This is due to the need to constantly adapt to new developments and changes in COVID-19 spread.
It is best to double-check that your international move is legal on a regular basis, as these regulations can change at any time.
Summary
Whether you’re considering moving to Abu Dhabi, or after removals to Saudi Arabia, it is important to consider that the process is likely to be a more stressful experience than it would normally be.
However, we would like to assure you that your move is still completely possible, if you comply with the Government guidelines that are in place.
John Mason International offers dependable removals services to expats relocating from the United Kingdom to a variety of countries around the world. For more information on our removals services, please contact us and we will gladly assist you.
