5 Tips to Stay Safe from the Coronavirus While Traveling

While the coronavirus threat remains very real, and the death and infection numbers keep ticking up, it seems as though some individuals are still taking it seriously. However, others are taking a laxer approach to things, and they do so at their peril.

Reports are coming in from various parts of the country of house parties where there is no social distancing or mark-wearing. Elsewhere, people congregate in clubs or on public beaches and take no precautions.

It’s disturbing, especially in light of projections predicting 200,000 Americans dead by October of 2020. Sensible citizens are still doing what medical experts tell them to in their daily lives, which makes it less likely they will be victims. But what about if you plan on traveling sometime during the remainder of the year?

Travel presents risks, but there are ways to try and stay as safe as possible when you do it. Let’s go over a few of those.

Wear a Mask

The governors of some states still ask that people remain in their homes during the pandemic unless they have a compelling need to go outside. It’s especially vital to do that if you’re immunocompromised.

If you’re traveling, though, then you’re not just leaving the house. You’re probably leaving the city, and possibly your home state as well. Perhaps you’re traveling:

• For work
• To see relatives
• To go on vacation

You might be driving to get where you’re going, taking public transportation like a bus or train, or you might be flying. If you’re driving your own car or renting one, then you’re fine without a mask, since you won’t be close to anyone you can pass the virus to and vice versa.

If you’re flying or taking a train or bus, wearing a mask is probably the most crucial thing you can do to avoid getting or spreading Covid-19.

It needs to be a mask that covers both your nose and mouth, though. Individuals who wear a mask but leave either their nose or mouth exposed aren’t doing themselves or anyone else any good.

Attempt to Avoid Crowds

Medical experts recommend social distancing during a pandemic, but that’s pretty tough if you’re somewhere busy, like an airport. Still, you can do what you can to avoid getting into anyone’s personal space.

Try to:

• Watch for markings on the ground when you’re in lines, indicating where you can stay six feet away from the individual in front of you
• Keep some distance between yourself and the people around you when walking through airports or bus terminals

If you see a dense crowd forming, try to avoid it. It’s not always going to be completely possible while traveling to stay six feet away from anyone else. Just try to be cognizant of it and do the best you can, and especially stay away from people who aren’t wearing masks.

Wash Your Hands Frequently

As you’re traveling from place to place and passing through spaces like airports and train stations, you’re mingling with people from many different locales. These areas are potential virus hot zones. You don’t know who’s coming from a state where the virus is currently proliferating.

The coronavirus can live briefly on surfaces, so you should make a point of washing your hands frequently. Stop by a bathroom when you can and scrub thoroughly with soap and hot water for 20-30 seconds.

Don’t Touch Your Face

When traveling through places where lots of people congregate, you should take pains to avoid touching your face. That includes doing things like rubbing your eyes.

Wearing a mask is a good way to remind yourself not to do this. People often touch their faces without even being aware that they’re doing it. If you find that you’re raising your hands toward your nose, mouth, or eyes without thinking about it, the presence of a mask there can help you remember you’re not supposed to do that.

Cover Up Sneezes and Coughs

You want to be careful not to catch the virus, but you also need to avoid spreading it. You may be asymptomatic and not realize you’re a carrier.

Make sure to cover up your coughs or sneezes. Sneeze into the crook of your arm. Cover your coughs with your hands or a tissue.

In these five ways, you’ll be a lot safer when you travel. You should get to your destination safely even in these dangerous times if you take the proper precautions.