The last thing on anyone’s mind before booking a
flight in 2020 was the possibility of wearing a hazmat suit to protect
themselves during COVID-19 air travel, yet here we are.
While the safest thing to do would be to stop all
non-essential air travel while the pandemic is still at large, sometimes urgent
family matters or work-related emergencies leave a person with no choice but to
risk COVID-19
air travel.
If you are considering air travel but feeling
apprehensive, here are some safety precautions for air travel in COVID-19 you
can take to stay safe;
- Check your local and destination guidelines regarding travel restrictions, quarantine and protocols.
- Make sure it’s an absolute necessity for you to travel. Air travel involves airport screenings, waiting in long queues and being in enclosed spaces for extended periods of time. All potential risk factors of COVID-19.
- Making sure to get COVID-19 testing for international travel before flying out.
- Maintain a social distance of 6 feet from people.
- Always wear a mask while interacting with anyone in public. Make sure it properly secures your nose and mouth to prevent respiratory droplets from transmitting the virus.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Carry a travel sized hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol with you for convenience.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid contact with frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons, cash transactions and kiosks. If unavoidable, use hand sanitizer immediately afterwards.
- Keep an eye out for the rapidly changing travel guidelines before your COVID-19 air travel.
- During security screening at the airport, avoid keeping items such as wallets, phones, electronic devices in the bins. Place them in carry-on bags to minimize any contact.
- After the screening process, if possible, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer.
- Adhere to the guidelines of COVID-19 testing for international travel. Do not proceed with travel plans if you feel even remotely sick. Plan for a contingency if you are suddenly quarantined at your destination.
- The risk of COVID-19 still lurks after your traveling ends and you arrive back home, as there’s a possibility you could have been exposed to the virus while traveling. You could be feeling fine, but you could potentially be an asymptomatic carrier patient and pose a threat to those closest to you. Self-quarantining after your traveling is your moral responsibility during a global pandemic.
So, if you follow these safety precautions for
air travel in COVID-19, you can greatly reduce the risk of contracting the
virus or transmitting it to others. Bon voyage!