Do you wish to travel in the course of a COVID-19 crisis? The following are the safety precautions to follow.
Whether local or international, travelling is an exciting and gratifying activity to do. Many people across the globe travel for different reasons. The curiosity of what lies beyond the horizon and the urge to satisfy one’s spirit of adventure has caused people to travel for leisure. Even job professions are responsible for 40% of daily international trips made across the world. Others take a leap of faith and travel, believing that a certificate from an institution from abroad makes them stand a better chance of landing a specific job and make extensive plans to make their trip a success.
However, travelling in the last six months or so has been minimal, with many nations across the globe putting in place travel restrictions inside and outside their borders. The deadly COVID-19 pandemic has left people mentally, emotionally, and financially stressed and cut short all kinds of travel plans. The various authorities in charge have outlined cautionary measures. People have been asked to exercise self-quarantine by spending more time in their areas of residence and less time in public areas. If in public, you are required to observe the utmost care to avoid contracting the virus.
People have been forced to put on hold all travel plans until the outbreak is over. The laid down restrictions demand that if you are to travel, it must be for essential reasons. The need to access basic services and products such as health care or foodstuff, going to the office, or permitted meetings are some of the reasons considered valid for one to move about during this period. Anyone needing to travel for any of the reasons, as mentioned earlier, is advised to observe high personal hygiene standards and follow all safety protocols while travelling. If you must travel, make sure to check which countries currently allow international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With many countries lifting bans on international travel restrictions, strict airport checks and flight protocols have been established. International and local travel agencies have also put their COVID-19 preventative measures in a bid to contain the viral disease. Movement from one place to another has been highlighted as one of the significant modes of spreading the virus. The following are the laid down protocols that one needs to satisfy before booking an international flight:
If you need to catch that flight, be sure to adhere to the safety tips for your well–being and those around you. It is crucial to keep in mind that anyone is a potential host of the virus. The only way to contain it is to treat everyone around you as a COVID-19 carrier, regardless of your relationship. The following safety measure tips are meant to prevent you from contracting or passing the disease to another person.
COVID-19 test
First things first, get screened for the virus at the nearest authorized health facilities. Several private and public health centers are carrying out full COVID-19 tests, and results are made available to you within a maximum of 48 hours after testing. A test is meant to account for your COVID-19 status for the last 14 days. Anyone showing COVID-19 symptoms that he or she cannot account for with documented COVID-19 test results will automatically not be permitted to fly out of the country.
Up-to-date medical history
For trouble-free airport checks before your departure, you are advised to put in order the COVID-19 test results. It is important to note that test results older than 14 days will are not viable. Proving to the travel authorities that you have not had any flu-like symptoms in the last two weeks through detailed documentation is necessary.
Recent travel history
International and local travel does not wish to leave any stone uncovered and will take no chances. Your local or international travel history in and out of the affected places or countries in the last 14 days is necessary. It is necessary to be honest with the details you give to avert future infections.
Carry PPEs
Basic personal hygiene, such as coughing or sneezing against one’s elbow, is one preventative COVID-19 measure that has helped in the containment of the infection. All travellers are advised to carry disposable alcohol-based wipes, alcohol-based hand rub, disposable hand gloves, and a medically approved face mask. Regular use of a hand sanitizer kills the viruses and should be used to substitute water and soap. Soiled hands should be washed with soap under running water if possible and sanitized after that.
Adhere to laid down directives
No matter who your travel buddy for the journey is, keep a distance of at least two arms-lengths between the two of you while queuing for services or sitting in the plane. Avoid touching other passenger’s stuff such as suitcases to prevent the spread of the virus through surfaces.
Avoid all crowded spots at your place of departure and arrival to evade close contact. Also, please do not make any facial contact with your hands and sanitize them as often as possible. Above all, on reaching your destination, self-isolate yourself immediately for 14 days in case of any flu-like symptoms.
Conclusion
In the event that you get into contact with COVID-19 case, whether confirmed or suspected, or experience flu-like symptoms during or after your flight, contact the nearest health facility for immediate and proper attention.
Do not rule out a fellow traveller’s possibility of bearing the virus based on race, gender, age, or nationality. Everyone can fall victim to the disease, and a recovered COVID-19 patient can be re-infected.
Stay updated on your destination’s COVID-19 developments by regularly visiting travel advice pages before your departure.
Your well–being and safety depend on you. Stay safe!
