Although travelling in the time of a global epidemic like COVID-19 necessarily calls for an increasingly cautious and elaborate approach than before, it can be accomplished without any significant health risks, only if proper measures are taken.
If you are certain about your travel plan, either because you are going to a low-risk area or your trip is inevitable and essential, you should remember to take the necessary precautions for safeguarding yourself and other people around you.
If you are worried about how to protect from coronavirus while travelling, here are the following measures that you must adopt.
Wash Your Hands on Frequent Intervals
Frequently washing the hands is by far the most important thing that you must remember to practice for minimising the odds of getting infected. Do keep in mind that a quick rinse will not suffice. Sterilise your hands with soap and water for a minimum of twenty to thirty seconds and more often than not, after disembarking a public transport or being in public, in particular.
If you are flying, make sure to wash your hands as soon as you leave the airport. If you are not able to use soap and water, a hand sanitizer with a minimum of sixty percent of alcohol content can also be applied to your wrists and hands.
Never Touch Your Face before Washing Your Hands
If you have visited a public place, refrain from touching your face until you have washed and cleaned your hands thoroughly. The 2019-nCoV is capable of thriving on surfaces for several days after being released into the environment by an infected individual. You can catch the virus if you touch the contaminated surface, and then your fingers come in contact with your eyes, nose, and/or mouth.
Mind the Distance
If you see someone is sneezing, coughing, or exhibiting cold- or flu-like symptoms, you should maintain a distance of at least two metres from that affected person. Note that you can also get infected by the airborne respiratory droplets through sneezing or coughing and the only way to prevent it is by ensuring that you maintain at least two meters of distance.
Use a Cleaning Spray or Wipe for Cleaning Frequently-Touched Articles
When it comes to how to protect from coronavirus while travelling, it is imperative for you to opt for a clean accommodation facility. Remember to inquire beforehand about sanitization procedures with the management or the staff of the youth hostel, guest house, tourist lodge, or hotel that you intend to reserve and stay. Carry a sanitizing wipe or spray to clean everything in your room that you may touch frequently.
Stay Away from Large Gatherings, Particularly in Closed Environments
If you are going to a country or city that is witnessing massive COVID-19 cases at present, it is highly recommended to avoid all places with significant footfall throughout the day. The proximity of other individuals to a COVID-19 patient decides how fast the disease is going to spread. Although the outbreak can be controlled in standard work and personal environments, it becomes increasingly challenging in crowded settings.
Past research on mass gatherings in the USA suggests that the infectious disease curve rose sharply immediately after the occurrence of seventy-two mass gathering events. Furthermore, computer modeling indicates that the pandemic peak can be increased by ten percent by mass gatherings. It essentially means that there would be ten percent fewer cases in the absence of mass gatherings than with them.
Conclusion
If you pertain to the higher risk group for COVID-19 or not feeling well presently, it is in the best interest of you and your fellow passengers to stay indoors and postpone your travel. It is also applicable to all family members and friends who wish to go with you. However, if you still wish to travel, make sure to follow the mentioned-above steps.
well said, I am planning to visit Pune this month and as you all know Maharashtra has also the high covid numbers so i will follow all the instructions. I will follow about Stay Hydrated. Thanks for your wonderful help.