5 Tips for Relocating Around the World (During a Global Pandemic)

2 years ago I never would have imagined I could write a post with that title but I’d wager that the everyone who lived on planet earth between March 2020 and the present day have experienced a number of ‘never did I imagine’ moments. I also sincerely hope that this post loses all relevance very soon but on the off chance it doesn’t, I wanted to share some advice for anyone making a round-to-world move during Covid.

1. Don’t be afraid; just do it and it will be easier than you imagine

By the time we made our move, we had become engaged, bought an apartment and held a 200-person wedding during the pandemic so you’d think relocating wouldn’t have been as daunting. Unfortunately there’s something disconcerting about leaving your homeland when everything is so tumultuous. I am so glad we took the risk and did everything we did during the pandemic. There were tears and fears at times, but fortunately things have a way of working out (even if not 100% perfectly). By the way, check out my post for recommendations on 12 things to pack when moving to London.

2. Prepare to be flexible

Our flights were cancelled a week before we left, and just a few days before our wedding. We had to rebook flights with ~40kg less luggage than we expected to have. My husband sold his beloved computer and we left a lot behind but ultimately we realised that the ‘stuff’ mattered much less than we imagined. Covid is the king of ‘expect the unexpected’ and while that can be very challenging it can also bring a peace and acceptance we wouldn’t ever otherwise have had

3. Don't cheap out on entry requirements

If you need to do a covid test before leaving or after arriving, spend the money to get it done at a reputable, convenient and popular place. Regulation on testing providers is weak and many are purely scams (even if they’re listed on government websites). Others will take many days or even weeks to return results leaving you in the lurch. Don’t take the risk, it’s not worth the money

4. Wearing a mask for 25 hours isn't so bad

I’ve taken many many flights in my life, but never with my entire face covered (by an eye mask and face mask). Sitting in a chair for a total of 24 hours with a mask on was a daunting prospect but it’s really not nearly as bad as it seems, and I am always going to wear a mask on planes from now on (in my experience planes are just full of infestation and sickness, covid notwithstanding). N95 masks are very comfortable (more than cloth) and if your ears start aching it can be a good idea to loop them around your headphones (ensuring the mask is still tight around your face)

5: Print your documents

I owe this tip to my father who insisted I print all my travel documents (which I initially thought was unnecessary in the 21st century). Printed documents give you a layer of protection and security for those ‘just in case’ moments - just in case your internet doesn’t work, or your document doesn’t load or you simply get a airport or airline representative who wants printed documents (it happens, and for some reason it happens more during Covid). A checklist of documents to print for those of you coming from Australia includes

• Vaccine certificate

• Covid test results (if applicable)

• Proof of address when you land

• Tax refund documents

• Passport

• Visa