Written by Bettina Zammit
Travelling restrictions are finally easing after a long year of being stuck at home or working relentlessly. What now? You’ve booked your plane ticket and you’re looking forward to a well-deserved trip abroad during these summer months.
Not to burst your bubble but we’ve still got to keep travelling safety guidelines in mind. They are put in place to ensure that you remain as safe as possible while travelling during these extraordinary times. Keep this list in mind while you’re packing your passport and socks:
1. Cover
Wearing your mask at all times will you will keep yourself and others most safe. Be it at the airport, on the airplane, using public transportation, or in indoor spaces. Ensure that your mask is clean, and covers your nose, chin, and mouth snugly. In other words, wearing your mask like this ( image above) is not going to do you or anyone around you any favours. Ensure that your mask is clean, and covers your nose, chin, and mouth snugly. In other words, wearing your mask like this is not going to do you or anyone around you any favours.
2. Clean
Carry a bottle of hand sanitiser around with you at all times and clean your hands regularly. Particularly before and after touching your mask, after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. After touching any surfaces that are frequently touched by others, such as door handles or trolleys. After using a public bathroom. And finally, before and after eating. After applying sanitiser, rub your hands together for 20 seconds, and you’re good to go!
Your luggage passes through the hands of many people between the time of check-in and reclaim. So, after arrival at your accommodation, be sure to wipe down the outside with an alcohol wipe, or a damp cloth soaked in soap and water.
3. The further away, the better!
Remember to remain at a distance of at least 2 meters from any other individuals that you are not travelling with. There will be markings on the floor in public areas which clearly indicate where you should stand to maintain this distance. By social distancing, you’ll find yourself in a win-win situation; you’ll decrease the risk of transmission of the virus, while also guaranteeing that neither a stranger nor your personal space is invaded. Those strangers will definitely thank you for it!
Furthermore, avoid spending excess time in areas in which crowds form, and, of course, make efforts not to form part of those crowds yourself. This may happen at baggage claim at the airport, for instance.
4. Plan, Plan, Plan.
While travelling, most of us have been in situations where we’re staring at rail maps helplessly or have to pluck up the courage to ask advice from a stranger or two, all in an attempt to deduce which bus, train or tram will actually get us to the right destination. Going that extra mile and familiarising yourself with the relevant public transport routes, or pre-booking a car from the airport, for example, will reduce the amount of time that you spend inside busy places such as train stations and the number of interactions you have with other people.
5. Choose outdoor over indoor.
Your risk of infection is increased in confined spaces that lack ventilation, as there is the possibility of being in close proximity for a lengthy period of time with an infected individual. If you have no choice but to stay inside, try to remain close to a window.
“Vaccines save millions of lives”.
Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. You are placed at significantly less risk of severe infection if you are vaccinated. However, no vaccine is 100% protective, and there is still a chance of infection after vaccination. All vaccines go through a process of rigorous testing prior to being made available to the public, to ensure their safety and efficacy. Get vaccinated and encourage others to do the same!
Stay safe!
