Are you considering travelling in this period of Covid-19? These precautions can keep you and others safe.
Need to embark on that journey you suspended due to coronavirus outbreak? Or your work or family demands that you travel? Are you worried about the safety of travelling and lodging?
The following facts will guide your travel and show you how to stay safe.
Protect yourself when travelling
To keep yourself and others safe, adhere to these precautions recommended by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Keep a distance of 2 meters (6 feet) between you and others in public
- Don’t come close to sick persons
- Avoid touching surfaces in public places like kiosks, handrails, and elevator buttons. If you do, wash your hands or use a hand sanitiser thereafter
- Use a cloth face mask
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or handkerchief
- Wash your hands regularly, particularly after using the bathroom, coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, and before eating
- Wash your hands regularly with soap under running water for at least 20 seconds
- Use an alcohol-based sanitiser with a minimum of 60% alcohol. Rub it over your hands thoroughly until it dries off.
You can get a COVID-19 PCR test for travel as extra protection.
Learn about local restrictions and requirements
There are some state, local, and territorial laws requiring people to wear face masks and a 14-days quarantine for people who recently travelled. Know these and any other recent laws at your destination and any stops you make during travel.
Visit local and state health department websites for updates and any changes in restrictions which are possible. Also, find out about visitor’s information and opening hours for parks, offices, restaurants, and any other place you plan to visit at your destination.
Air travel
Most viruses don’t spread easily on aeroplanes because of air circulation and filtration. But crowded flights, queues on security lines and airport terminals can breach social distancing.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the CDC have COVID-19 guidelines for flights. Some major airlines require passengers and crews to put on a cloth face mask. Visit the websites of specific airports to know their protection legislation.
Since the pandemic started, airport screening checkpoints have seen more cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment by the travel security administration.
Security officers now practice social distancing, wear masks, and gloves which they change after each pat-down. They wear plastic shields at checking, searching, and drop off points. Travellers are now few.
The screening process has also changed:
- Travellers are asked to adjust their face mask for proper identification
- Boarding passes are now placed directly on the scanner and held up for inspection
- Every traveller now carries about 12-ounce weight hand sanitiser in their bags, which are also screened
- To reduce item handling, food items are carried in plastic bags and placed in a bin for screening, while personal items like wallets are placed in carry-on bags.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after screening.
Car travel
Should you choose to travel by car, consider these:
- Reduce your number of stops and park if you feel sleepy
- Keep cloth face masks, hand sanitisers, and disinfectant wipes within reach as your travel
- Pack food and water for your trip. Go with non-perishable items in case you can’t access restaurants and stores
- Use disinfectant wipes on gas buttons and handles during refuelling, and sanitise your hands afterwards. At your destination, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds
- For meals along the road, choose drive-through or curbside service restaurants
Bus and train travel
A 2 meters distance from other passengers on a bus or train is risky. Follow the measures listed above to stay safe.
When you land at an airport, find out rental car options and disinfection policies or opt for shuttle service if you plan to stay at a hotel.
For ride-hailing service, avoid seating in front near the driver. Handle your bags yourself during pickup and drop-off. All other precautions remain valid.
Hotels and lodgings
Travel accommodation agencies are doing their best to protect guests through:
- Improving guest rooms, elevators, and public area cleanliness
- Maintaining food and laundry hygiene
- Social distancing, contactless payment, and masking of guests and staff.
They’re also training their staff on best cleaning, protection, and disinfecting practices. Book a room that’s not been occupied for at least 24 hours. Maintain the precautions outlined above in your hotel room.
Important safe-travel supplies
- Alcohol-based hand sanitiser (at least 60%)
- Cloth face masks
- Thermometer
- Disinfectant wipes (at least 70% alcohol) for surfaces.
People with underlying health issues like cancer, type 2 diabetes, weak immune system, chronic kidney disease, and more are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
Should you wish to travel, contact us on 020 71830244 for precautions or get a PCR test for travel near me at our clinic. Bear in mind that staying at home is the best as travelling increases your chance of contracting and transmitting coronavirus.
Safety’s Paramount
Should you fall sick before your planned travel, stay at home, except you need medical attention.
