Don't fear Covid-19! 10 Hygiene Tips To Know If You're Travelling Soon

Travel during this period is a tricky thing, yes. But you shouldn’t feel limited by Covid-19 if you keep to some basic steps. Based on the travel precautions recommended by the World Health Organisation, check out these 10 hygiene tips to know if you are travelling soon!

 

1. Avoid Travel if You Have a Fever or Cough

 

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Bottom line is: if you are unwell, stay home! No travel is worth the hassle of pushing through your sickness and risking forced quarantine for. That sunset by the beach can wait and that heritage site will be there when this all blows over to visit and enjoy.

 

2. Avoid Close Contact With a Sick Person

 

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This is a good time to enforce a zone of personal space around yourself! Keep to 1 metre between yourself and a sick person at all times. Water droplets from coughs and sneezes can travel and if you are too close, you could be breathing in infection, including Covid-19 if the person has it.

 

3. Clean Your Hands Frequently

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Your hands are hotbeds of bacteria and germs, that’s a fact. Yes, those same hands that you’re using to scroll down this article! Always wash your hands with soap and water and to make sure you’ve gotten all your nooks and crannies. When in doubt, the rule of thumb is to scrub and rub to the tune of the ‘Alphabet’ song, which is meant to last for the recommended washing time of about 20 seconds. If you are in a situation where water and soap aren’t readily available to you, alcohol-based hand sanitizer will work in a pinch as it will kill off any trace of viruses on you. 

 

4. Stop Touching Your Eyes, Mouth, and Nose

 

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Seriously, stop doing it! You’re doing it right now, aren’t you? Unwashed or unclean hands carrying any contagion may transfer the virus to you through your eyes, mouth or nose. From there, you risk infection when the virus enters your body. 

 

5. Don’t Spit in Public

 

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Okay, if this needs to be even brought up, what are we coming to as a species? Saliva carries all traces of infectious diseases that aren’t just limited to the common cold. Think about it; if someone’s disgusting infected spitballs become stuck under your shoes, you’re effectively being a walking, talking disease carrier, taking the infection from one point to another. 

 

6. Cover Your Mouth When You Cough or Sneeze 

 

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If you are not doing this, start now. Cover your mouth with a flexed elbow or a tissue. Be sure to throw the used tissue into a closed rubbish bin or dispose of it in any other proper manner, and wash your hands after. Don’t leave your snot wad lying around. Honestly, it’s just common sense and hygiene 101.

 

7. Eat Only Properly Cooked Meals

 

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For a lot of people, travel, food and drink go together. But is that roadside stall next to the monsoon drain really serving food that runs the risk of traveller’s diarrhoea? Reduce your chances of falling sick and use your eyes and nose to make any eatery decisions.

 

8. Avoid Sick Animals

 

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Never try to pet or feed any animals that are unfamiliar to you as they may not be vaccinated. Any animal bites or scratches could cause an infection, and the last thing you need is to run the risk of things like rabies or tetanus. If you find yourself ill before or after an encounter with sick or stray animals, visit your healthcare provider immediately.

 

9. Wear Your Mask

  

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Wearing masks only works if you are using it in the correct manner. Persons suffering from colds, fever or coughs, or those with pre-existing health conditions should wear it always when out in a public area. Make sure that your mask always covers your nose and mouth. Once it is on, avoid touching it. Safely dispose of single-use masks and always wash your hands after.

 

10. Seek Medical Help Early

 

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This tip isn’t hygiene specific but more of another reminder that should you exhibit signs of illnesses, seek medical help early. Alert those around you and follow the directions of the healthcare services around you. The national and local services will have the most updated information, so stay informed and be alert. 

 

So there you have it! Travel during this difficult time may be a struggle, but as long as you take all the precautions and stick to the safety measures, seeing the world will be fine. Now, go forth, make like Dua Lipa and count your new rules! 

 

Keep these precautions in mind while travelling and you’ll be right as rain. Travelling soon? Check out what we have to offer on Mayflower Holidays!  Register as a Mayflower member for the best travel deals and steals. Book your flight, hotel and tour packages on Mayflower.com.my now. AND don’t forget to follow our Mayflower Facebook Page for more!   

 

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Charissa Ee 

Always the adventurer at heart, Charissa would rather be dancing on a rocky beach in Wales in the middle of winter or taking in the sunsets of a lost isle on the equator. When she's not out and about exploring what the world has to offer, she can be found binging the latest series on Netflix.