What should I do if I need to travel for work or in an emergency?
Anika H. Ahmed, MD
A major risk factor of cross infection is always there while travelling, especially in air travel when one is confined to a small space in an airplane. This risk factor is markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and poses a serious threat to the health of all travelers, especially the elderly and those with underlying chronic medical conditions. When travel is unavoidable for work or during an emergency, the following precautions must be exercised strictly in order to avoid catching the Coronavirus that can lead to COVID-19:
1) Practice the highest level of hygiene, especially of hands. Make a conscious effort of washing hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating or touching your face. Hand washing with soap and water frequently is ideal but may not be possible during long travel. Washing with water and soap can be replaced with wiping of hands with a rubbing alcohol swab or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Alcohol is able to kill most germs, including those of the Coronavirus whose spikes stick to most surfaces and hands. The outer layer of Coronavirus gets destroyed with alcohol and hence most disinfectants are effective in getting rid of the Coronavirus.
2) Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. This can be the key to remaining germ-free during travel. While travelling, wipe all surfaces close to your seat, especially the arms of your seat, food tray, touch screens and remotes, plastic covers of pillows, blankets, and complimentary travel kits, buttons for lights and calls, airways and vents.
3) Practice hygiene with food also. Try to only have sealed meals and make sure hands are either washed or wiped with disinfectants before each meal.
4) Avoid touching the face, especially nose and mouth and if possible, wear a mask. A mask will keep you protected from droplet infection of fellow passengers if it is used correctly. The most important factor along with the use of masks is proper hygiene of hands. Hands must be washed immediately after touching a mask. Every mask must be worn in a manner where there is no gap between the mask and the face. The nose and mouth must be completely covered with the mask and it is important to hold the mask from its ties while taking it off and avoid touching the part covering the face.
5) Travelers are discouraged from eating food from open markets, which could heighten the risk of transmitting Coronavirus from animals to humans.
6) Travelers coughing or sneezing must practice covering the cough and the sneeze with a tissue or their elbow. The tissue should be disposed of immediately.
All travelers should expect to receive a thermal scan upon arrival, to complete health related documents and travel documents pertaining to points of travel and duration of stay enabling the tracing of potential contacts and carriers, to quarantine for 14 days and to potentially test for COVID-19 if testing is available.