Top Tips on How to Be a Digital Nomad During COVID19

Being a digital nomad during COVID19 has been super challenging. More and more countries are easing their travel restrictions slowly and cautiously. We’ve gathered a few tips to get you started with your digital nomad life. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our travel plans for 2020. Whether we planned to travel locally or internationally, nobody is allowed to get out of the house. Once coronavirus was classified as a global pandemic, many borders were closed, and flights were cancelled all across the continents. 

The new normal in quarantine prompted most of the workforce into remote-working. Because of this, we have now realised that desk-based work is possible to bring home. If you can work from home, you can work anywhere — especially if you’re from a digital industry.

Now that the spread of the virus is somewhat under control (at least in the EU and the Australasia), more and more countries are easing their travel restrictions. It may be possible to start travelling to safe countries soon. With this, maybe you can consider being location independent full time.

Why should you consider to be a digital nomad in 2020?

You should highly think about digital nomading post-COVID-19. Being a digital nomad will allow you to live somewhere you’ve long dreamt of. You can live somewhere with better weather, whether it’s somewhere tropical or with four seasons. 

Being a digital nomad after the COVID-19 can also be a practical choice. You can lower your costs of living by staying somewhere more affordable during the economy’s rough times. Businesses during the pandemic have pivoted into online platforms, making workers in the digital industry more in demand. 

Tips on being digital nomad during COVID19

As long as your home country and country of choice permit that it’s safe for you to travel post-COVID-19, then you should start preparing for your life overseas! We’ve gathered a few tips to get you started with your digital nomad life. 

Do additional research about your country of choice

Aside from the usual research like the digital nomad visas, neighbourhood, culture, and accommodation, you now also need to learn about their travel restrictions and social distancing regulations. Being a digital nomad during coronavirus pandemic, you should make sure that the information you’re reading about your selected country is updated with the times. As mentioned earlier, we are living in the new normal, cities may not be what they used to be. 

Social distancing is not the only thing the new normal has implemented, long-stay visas also came out of it. Countries like Barbados and Estonia have announced the availability of digital nomad visas. Location-independent professionals can now work remotely along pristine beaches or cobbled streets. If you are interested in being a digital nomad in the EU, then here is a list of top European cities where you can work remotely post COVID19. 

Ask experienced travellers on recommended accommodations

Accommodations may not seem like a big deal and can appear as a “wing it” situation, but it’s more important than you think. No matter how long the duration of your stay is, you need to find accommodation that can give you a good night’s rest. 

Unforeseen factors like hot temperatures and noisy cities can disrupt your sleep. As a digital nomad in 2020, you should note that your quality of sleep can affect work performance the next day. So, why not ask around in advance about some decent places to stay in? 

Ask a friend or join digital nomad Facebook groups, you can get quality advice from people who are also digital nomading post-COVID-19. They might be able to give you tips on how to navigate your chosen neighbourhood during a pandemic.

Manage co-working expectations

The co-working culture during pre-pandemic times was a thriving community. People can go up to each other and collaborate. Some co-working spaces even held events that bring people together. That may not be the case anymore. 

While co-working spaces and cafes still hold the essence of a working space like having a steady internet connection and caffeine supply, they will implement safety measures. Digital nomads during COVID may be required to wear a mask and be six feet away from other guests. If you’re not one for socialisation, then this can be great!

Familiarise yourself with different remote work tools

Since your colleagues, customers, suppliers, partners, and/or clients can be miles away from wherever you are, as a digital nomad during a pandemic, you won’t be able to communicate with them personally. They can be working in different time zones as well. A way to cope with miscommunication and project mismanagement is with remote work tools.  

Collaboration tools such as Google Meet, Zoom, Slack, Trello, etc. help move a project forward. You must be well-versed with different platforms so that everybody can work efficiently — even if they’re in separate countries. To be a digital nomad during the coronavirus pandemic, you can learn the basics like changing a Zoom background, then make your way up by arranging remote meetings.

Pack a hygiene kit  in your travel luggage

When you travel in a post-COVID world, hygiene and sanitation will be a top priority everywhere. Along with wearing a face mask, it’s best to carry a hygiene kit with you wherever you roam around. It should include:

• Hand sanitiser
• Disinfectant wipes
• Disposable tissues
• Disposable face masks

Aside from packing the hygiene kit in your luggage, you can also have a mini version (gels and liquids should be 100ml or less) of it with you in your hand luggage. Here is also an excellent coronavirus hygiene guide by WHO.

Think about getting travel insurance

If there’s something we’ve learned from 2020 is that life can be unpredictable. It’s hard to tackle an uncertain circumstance when you’re in a foreign place. So, before you leave, it’s highly advised to get travel insurance dedicated to digital nomads and remote workers. Whether it’s regarding your safety or the safety of your belongings, it’s essential to be prepared. 

SafetyWing offers excellent health insurance plans with COVID19 coverage for remote workers and digital nomads (probably the only and the most comprehensive cover for those without a permanent home base!). Armed with an adequate health insurance, strict adherence to the hygiene concepts and local COVID rules you will be able to realise your dream of being a digital nomad during COVID19.

With remote work being a necessity during the Coronavirus pandemic, it would not be much of a surprise to see more and more professionals venture into the world of digital nomads. As long as standard safety procedures and hygiene etiquettes are observed, being a digital nomad during COVID19 will be close to reality.