Wondering when you would be able to quench your wanderlust in times of COVID-19? If yes, then this article might help you safely plan your next COVID-19 air travel.
While new travel guidelines keep getting updated every few days, medical experts remain in agreement that staying at home and avoiding all kinds of travel is still the safest way to stop the spread of the virus.
However, there are certain circumstances and emergencies which make traveling inevitable and necessary. For times like these, there are precautions and COVID -19 testing for traveling available that can protect you and those around you.
The silver lining for air travelers according to health authorities is that most aircrafts nowadays have HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Arrester) filters installed that are effective in filtering out almost 99.99% of dust particles and airborne contaminants like viruses and bacteria. This results in the highest quality of cabin air. However, that doesn’t mean it eliminates all risk of the virus. Therefore, we still need to do our part in being vigilant and following all safety guidelines for COVID-19 air travel.
- The first thing you should do is to check your local and destination travel guidelines as every country has its own set of rules for travel restrictions, quarantining and safety protocols.
- You should only travel if it’s absolutely essential to do so. Any non-essential traveling puts you and the people around you at risk. Air traveling involves airport screenings, waiting in long queues and being in enclosed spaces for extended periods of time. All high-risk factors for contracting COVID-19.
- Everyone must get COVID-19 testing for air travel purpose before flying out.
- Maintaining physical distance from people will help minimize the risk.
- Wearing a mask in public is mandatory now in most places while out and about. You could get fined heavily for not adhering to the mask rule. You must wear a properly fitted mask that secures your nose and mouth to prevent respiratory droplets from transmitting the virus.
- Make a habit of washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds throughout the day. A travel sized hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol should be with you always for convenience.
- Prevent the spread of virus by not touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth unnecessarily.
- Avoid contact with frequently touched surfaces at the airport like handrails, elevator buttons, cash transactions and kiosks. If it happens, use a hand sanitizer immediately afterwards.
- During security screening at the airport, avoid keeping items such as wallets, phones, electronic devices in the bins. Minimize any contact by keeping them in carry-on-bags.
- 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 all the recommended guidelines of COVID-19 testing for air travel purpose. Delay your travel plans if you feel any symptoms at all. Make a plan B for a contingency if you are unexpectedly quarantined at your destination.
- The risk is still there after your COVID-19 air travel comes to an end and you arrive back home, as there’s a possibility you could have been exposed to the virus while traveling. Although, you may 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 travels is a responsibility you must fulfil to protect everyone around you during this pandemic.