How to travel during COVID-19

The first case of COVID-19 can be tracked back to 15th November 2019 in China. Since that dark day more than a year ago, the world has not been the same again. The way of living life has changed, and so have our daily practices. But is it impossible to survive the new normal? Definitely not! All can be achieved as long as the correct SOPs are followed. With that, one also needs to possess a great sense of empathy and responsibility to ensure we protect ourselves and others from the novel coronavirus.

Since traveling is inevitable in some cases such as demanding jobs and research work, here are some tips you must follow to protect yourself and help flatten the curve.

Get ready for extra precautions during the flight

Since an airplane is a closed space, the chances of catching COVID-19 or spreading it are the highest there. Hence, you must be extra careful and ensure you wear a mask, as well as a face shield throughout the journey. You must also wear clothes that fully cover your arms and legs since you can also be infected if any cuts and bruises on your body are exposed to the virus. This is why many travelers opt for a PE suit.

To protect your hands, wear gloves you can dispose of as soon as you land. If you want to be extra cautious, carry a sanitizing spray you can use to disinfect your seat and nearby areas. You must also be equipped with sanitizer or alcohol wipes that need to be used if you touch an unsanitized surface. Most importantly, try not to eat during the flight. Instead, fill up your stomach with delicious high fiber food before you board the plane.

What to do when traveling by road

If your trip involves road travel, you may need to travel for hours. This means the risk of infection increases. However, it is not impossible to protect yourself as long as you follow the required SOPs. Here are some tips that might be helpful:

• – Avoid touching surfaces and sanitize your hands immediately if you touch something
• – Try to pay by card and avoid taking cash
• – To avoid a crowd, try to travel during non-peak hours such as the wee hours of the night
• – Wear a mask at all times
• – Wash your hands for 20 seconds as soon as you reach your destination. Better yet, take a long relaxing bath to ensure your body is completely germ-free

Be cautious during bathroom stops

Believe it or not, public toilets can be a breeding ground for numerous viruses…and yes, this includes the coronavirus. So don’t consider the restroom stop as a time when you drop down your guard. Here are some tips that will keep you safe and virus-free:

• – As soon as you enter the toilet stall, spray the air with a sanitizer/disinfectant. According to research, some virus particles can remain in the air for several hours and you can end up breathing them. The practice of spraying the air will immediately kill any germs that were in the stall
• – Spray the toilet seat with a disinfectant that contains alcohol
• – Wash your hands properly with soap once you are done

How to stay safe after you reach your destination

Though the transit period is the toughest part of traveling in the new normal, the challenge does not end here. After you reach your destination, you must follow certain rules no matter what activity you aim to partake in.
Here are some regulations you must adhere to:

• – Maintain a 6 feet distance between yourself and others at all times
• – Avoid contact with someone who is sick or is showing symptoms of the coronavirus
• – Try not to touch surfaces. For instance, we often touch the rail while going up the stairs. If you touch a surface, immediately sanitize your hands
• – Wear a mask at all times
• – Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth

Note: TripKarao aims to come forward as a travel platform that lends a hand in eliminating the spread of COVID -19 from Pakistan. Your health is our priority.