Although today travel is a big no-no because of the ever-worsening Covid-19 outbreak, some of us are still required to undertake journeys for essential reasons. Be it for a crucial work service like healthcare or for attending a funeral of a blood relative, travel becomes a necessity in certain circumstances. Also, it isn’t always possible for everybody to opt for self-drive.
In this dreadful time of the pandemic, traveling undoubtedly feels scary. The coronavirus spreads easily among people near one another when somebody among them who’s infected coughs or sneezes. So, it’s apparent that you can’t travel without the fear of catching the virus looming large.
However, it’s possible to make your travel safe to the max for yourself as well as for others. Do not forget to carry all essentials with you in order to minimize trips to the market. Carry your own towels, basic medicines, your books, packaged food, calming oils like lavender and CBD oil, etc. You can also buy CBD pills online in countries where it is legalised, to help with anxiety and stress.
Here are 5 additional tips to travel safely during Covid-19 Outbreak:
First and foremost, test yourself. You must ensure, through a medical examination that you are not carrying the virus. For the best assurance, it’s advisable to have a test result as recently as 48 hours before travel. The reason being that Covid-19 symptoms appear between two and fourteen days post-exposure.
While traveling, keep all the essential documents, including your medical test report with you. This way, you can prove that you aren’t a carrier and thus prevent any obstacles during your journey. Know well that anyone unable to prove not being infected cannot travel.
Not just that, you also can’t travel if you’re awaiting the coronavirus test results. Refrain from traveling if you’re feeling sick or have been in contact with an infected person just days before your journey.
Do you tend to fall sick often? Or do you have a weak immune system? If so, consult your physician regarding taking up travel. Also, it’s scientifically known that the aged and the ones with underlying medical conditions like diabetes are most vulnerable to catching the Covid-19 virus. So, take these factors into account while considering travel.
During this deadly outbreak, if you need to travel, make hand hygiene your safety mantra! Yes, practice it at every phase of travel possible. For instance, on reaching the airport, before boarding the plane, etc.
The reason is that it’s human to often touch the face, and, sadly, the Covid-19 virus mainly affects the lungs, entering our system through the eyes, nose, and mouth. On your journey, you‘ll inevitably touch commonly used surfaces. Unclean, germ-filled hands will only do a bad job!
While traveling, look for the nearest washroom and use soap to clean your hands thoroughly in water. Do it for a good 20 seconds, or even a bit longer. Pay great attention to your fingertips and the undersides of your fingernails. Also, make sure to clean under jewelry. Then use an air dryer or a use-and-throw paper towel to dry your hands fully.
At certain times, if soap and water aren’t easily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer. Use the hands-free or foot-operated sanitizer kept at airports and railway stations. Else, it’s best to carry your own pocket sanitizer with you. Always go for a hand sanitizer containing no less than 60% alcohol. Also, avoid sharing your pocket sanitizer with others, thus preventing potential contamination.
For ensuring exceptional hygiene during travel, keep a packet of hand sanitizing wipes handy to clean any surfaces you require to touch frequently. For example, your luggage handles, your cell phone, and also your lounge seat.
Are you one of those lucky few to be able to avoid taking public transport and self-drive without reaching your destination off schedule? If so, it’s a guarantee that you’ll travel without the constant apprehension of getting infected from others.
Having said that, while on your self-drive, you still need to take precautions, particularly about food and water. Refrain from making stops en route for having a bite. Taking a food break outside will inevitably make you touch surfaces and put you in close proximity to others.
So, it’s advisable to pack home-cooked food or snacks while leaving home. If you’re traveling with other family members and want to save on space inside your vehicle, use your roof rack basket to store the luggage. Just keep all the food items handy.
On the same lines, if you have to take public transportation, skip buying food from grab-and-go retailers, for instance, at airports. Instead, carry food items packed from home in your carry-on or rucksack. Also, carry empty reusable water bottles from home. You can refill them without having to buy packaged water and touch outside objects.
If you need to stay in a hotel at your travel destination, exercise extreme caution when choosing one. While considering a particular hotel, look up its website to determine what preventive measures they’re taking against Covid-19.
For instance, choose a property providing its employees with PPE, i.e. Personal Protective Equipment and face masks. Also, prefer hotel receptions installed with plexiglass. Ensure that the rooms are well-sanitized.
Once at the hotel, avoid elevators as far as possible. Using the stairs is also a great opportunity to exercise. Avoid using the swimming pool and prefer availing of room service rather than eating at the restaurant.
How about signaling goodwill as you travel? Use a face mask often to cover your nose as well as mouth so that you could protect the other people from any germs you could be carrying. What’s more, by using a face mask, you’re also reducing the chance of falling sick yourself.
In fact, if you’re compelled to travel to pandemic hotspots, you must wear a face mask when coming close to others. Also, using a face mask in indoor spaces becomes essential, where you have to share recirculated air.
Go for a cotton, breathable mask which fits well. Once you’ve worn it, make sure not to touch it before washing or cleaning your hands.
Now you know some useful tips to travel safely during the coronavirus pandemic. Follow these ways carefully and make your journey as smooth and secure as possible.
References:
https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/safe-travel-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/
https://www.smartertravel.com/coronavirus-tips-if-you-still-have-to-travel-domestically/
