With over 110,000 confirmed cases across the globe; COVID-19 or Coronavirus has taken the world by storm. There’s an irrational fear of the disease among the masses. The level of panic has risen to such an extent that schools, colleges and offices have been closed and people have reduced unnecessary travelling as countermeasures against this deadly disease.
However, not every individual can afford to sit at home; after all, the reason for travelling can be umpteen. Therefore, it is quite important to ignore the misconceptions and take important steps for avoiding the contagious COVID-19.
Here are the five major tips to stay safe and healthy while travelling:
1. Avoid visiting affected destinations
As recommended by WHO, avoid visiting virus affected destinations including China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy, Cambodia, South Korea, Iran, Japan, Laos, Macao, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Likewise, you must forbid visiting popular tourist destinations which attract a large number of international as well as domestic tourist. It has been found that the China-born disease can only infect you, if it gets inhaled or ingested which can be prevented by maintaining safe distance from the carriers.
2. Avoid cruise ships or air travel
Travellers should avoid any sort of water or air travel. Multiple reports claim that people travelling on a cruise ship or airplane are at a higher risk of getting infected by the fellow travellers. Recently, a ship carrying US nationals – the Diamond Princess was quarantined for two weeks in Yokohama, Japan as soon as the officials realised that there can be chances of infection. Later, it was found that more than 700 people got infected by the virus out of which 5 died on that cruise.
3. Wash hands frequently
Corona is not an air-borne virus and a major way of getting infected by the virus is coming in contact with an infected individual. If your hands come in contact with a virus-infected person and further you touch your nose, mouth or eyes, then there are high chances of you catching it too. Therefore, make sure to maintain good hygiene, avoid shaking hands with others and wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds frequently. Also, when coughing or sneezing cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue and throw it away immediately in a closed dustbin and wash or sanitise your hands.
4. Use masks wisely
One of the biggest misconceptions regarding the coronavirus virus is that using masks will help in its prevention. However, many researches have confirmed that face masks must only be used by infected individuals to prevent its spreading to others. If you still choose to wear a mask, make sure to cover your nose and mouth properly and avoid touching the mask again and again. Further, in the case of single-use mask, dispose it immediately after each use and wash hands after removing.
People have been buying masks and disinfectants aggressively resulting in the shortage for the ones who actually need them like the patients, their family members and the doctors. Therefore, stop buying face masks until or unless you’re infected or come in contact with someone who’s infected.
5. Carry disinfectants
Disinfectants including hand sanitizers are capable of removing the carriers of COVID-19 from your hands and body. Therefore, carrying disinfectants and using it at regular intervals are highly recommended for reducing the chances of being infected. However, it has not been confirmed that alcohol-based sanitizers kill the virus.
So, stop panicking and follow these tips for staying safe when you can’t afford to compromise your work and travel.
