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Published on: Jun 10, 2021
1 minute read
By: Dr Rachana Choudhary

How To Travel Safely During COVID Times.

As more people are vaccinated for COVID-19, many are looking forward to being able to travel again. While many restrictions have been lifted, COVID-19 has not gone away. So how safe is it to travel?

Vaccination- So what is the most important step to ensuring safe travel Without a doubt, the most important thing people can do to protect themselves is to get vaccinated for COVID-19. I recommend that all eligible people get vaccinated for COVID-19. That is going to dramatically decrease your risk of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and also dramatically decrease the risk that even if you were infected, you could transmit it to others.

Masks – The most important thing is to know if fully vaccinated travelers still required to wear a mask on an airplane. Yes, because we still have a considerable number of people in who are not vaccinated yet. And on airplanes, people are in close proximity for a longer period of time.

Beyond getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and wearing a mask in airports, and on planes, buses, and trains it's also still important to practice good hand hygiene and keep your area clean with disinfectant wipes.

Monitor Symptoms & Quarantine - What steps should we take when you return from travel? When people return from travel, some may wonder whether they should be tested for COVID-19. The need to test depends on where they're traveling from. There's no need to be tested and there's need to quarantine. Most importantly we should continue to monitor for symptoms.

If at any time during or after travel people start to develop symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19, such as, fever, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell, they should be evaluated by a provider and likely be tested for COVID-19.

What should people who are traveling with children do?

For families looking to plan a summer getaway with children who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19, they can still travel safely. It just takes a little bit of thought and planning. If you have children who are unvaccinated, that is probably not the time to bring them to areas where lots of people are congregating because we know they're still at risk of getting infected with COVID-19 if other people in that area are not vaccinated for COVID-19 and can transmit the virus. Even if your children are fastidious masking, there's still a risk.

If you have unvaccinated children, I think it's still safe to fly. But of course, they will always be masked. If you go to places that are more outdoors in more open space, where you're not congregated with lots of other people, I think it's very safe. You just have to think through the steps of what's going to happen on the vacation and position things so that you're not putting your unvaccinated children at risk."

Whether traveling or just attending events with large amounts of people, the bottom line is precautions still need to be taken.

We still do have people getting infected with COVID-19. We still have people being hospitalized. And, unfortunately, we still have people who are dying, as well. So, we're not completely done with this. We still have to be careful.

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Lower Premiums for Health Score Achievers: How Preventive Wellness Rewards Healthy Choices

Healthcare costs are rising steadily across India, driven largely by lifestyle-related diseases and late-stage diagnosis. In response, organisations and insurers are shifting focus from reactive treatment to prevention. One of the most effective approaches emerging from this shift is offering lower premiums for health score achievers.

This model aligns personal health responsibility with financial incentives, creating a win–win situation for individuals, employers and insurers.

What Is a Health Score?

A health score is a composite indicator that reflects an individual’s overall health status.

It typically considers:

preventive health checkup results
lifestyle habits such as physical activity and sleep
key biomarkers like blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure
body composition indicators

The focus is on risk reduction, not perfection.

Why Health Score–Based Premiums Are Gaining Importance

According to NITI Aayog and EY-FICCI reports, preventive healthcare can reduce long-term medical costs by up to 30–40 percent.

Health score–linked premiums:

reward proactive behaviour
reduce claim frequency
encourage early detection

This shifts healthcare from illness management to health preservation.

The Preventive Healthcare Gap in India

NFHS-5 and ICMR data show:

many chronic diseases remain undiagnosed until advanced stages
preventive screenings are underutilised
lifestyle risks are increasing among working adults

Health score incentives help close this gap.

How Lower Premiums Motivate Behaviour Change

Financial Incentives Drive Consistency

When healthy habits are rewarded financially, individuals are more likely to:

attend regular screenings
improve diet and activity
monitor health metrics

Behaviour change becomes sustainable.

Focus on Improvement, Not Punishment

Modern health score models emphasise:

gradual improvement
personalised targets
achievable milestones

This avoids discouragement and promotes inclusion.

Benefits for Individuals

Reduced Insurance Costs

Lower premiums directly reduce out-of-pocket insurance expenses.

Better Health Awareness

Tracking health scores increases understanding of:

personal risk factors
lifestyle impact
preventive actions

Knowledge leads to better choices.

Early Disease Detection

Regular monitoring identifies:

prediabetes
early hypertension
lipid abnormalities

Early intervention prevents complications.

Benefits for Employers

Lower Healthcare Claims

Preventive health programs reduce:

hospitalisations
long-term treatment costs

This improves corporate insurance sustainability.

Improved Productivity

Healthier employees experience:

fewer sick days
better energy levels
improved focus

Wellbeing translates to performance.

Stronger Wellness Culture

Reward-based programs signal genuine employer commitment to health.

Benefits for Insurers

Health score–based premiums help insurers:

manage risk more accurately
reduce high-cost claims
promote preventive engagement

This supports long-term viability of insurance models.

Role of Preventive Health Checkups

Preventive screenings form the backbone of health scoring.

They help track:

metabolic health
cardiovascular risk
nutritional deficiencies

NITI Aayog identifies screening as the most cost-effective health intervention.

Addressing Privacy and Fairness Concerns

Responsible programs ensure:

data confidentiality
voluntary participation
non-discriminatory design

Transparency builds trust and engagement.

Making Health Scores Inclusive

Inclusive programs:

adjust for age and baseline health
reward progress
offer support for high-risk individuals

Equity is essential for success.

Integration with Digital Health Platforms

Digital tools enable:

real-time health tracking
personalised insights
long-term trend monitoring

This improves engagement and accuracy.

Long-Term Impact on Public Health

Widespread adoption of health score incentives can:

reduce lifestyle disease burden
shift focus to prevention
improve population health outcomes

WHO supports incentive-based preventive health strategies globally.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Common challenges include:

low initial engagement
lack of awareness
resistance to change

Solutions involve education, simplicity and continuous support.

Why Lower Premiums Are More Effective Than Penalties

Positive reinforcement:

motivates sustained behaviour change
reduces anxiety
builds trust

Punitive models often discourage participation.

Future of Health Score–Linked Premiums in India

As digital health infrastructure expands, health score–based models are expected to:

become more personalised
integrate AI-driven insights
support nationwide preventive strategies

This marks a shift toward value-based healthcare.

Conclusion

Lower premiums for health score achievers represent a powerful shift toward preventive, value-driven healthcare. By rewarding healthy behaviours, early screening and consistent wellness practices, these programs benefit individuals, employers and insurers alike. Financial incentives aligned with health outcomes encourage long-term behaviour change, reduce disease burden and create a sustainable healthcare ecosystem. In a country facing rising lifestyle diseases, health score–linked premiums are not just an incentive—they are a strategic investment in healthier futures.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Preventive Healthcare and Incentive Models
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle Disease and Prevention
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health Indicators
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Insurance Reform Reports
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Healthcare Cost Studies

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