Travelling on a Plane

After the historic drop in air travel this past spring, Americans are starting to fly again. Some are excited about it while many are still apprehensive about travelling by plane. Kyle Potter, editor of the Thrifty Traveler, says he’s not eager to get back on a plane anytime soon. Since every airline carries out precautions differently, “you just don’t know what you are going to find,” Potter says.

Travellers need to do their homework ahead of time, checking to see what rules airlines have in place for blocking middle seats and mask enforcement. “We want to make sure people understand that the risk [of catching coronavirus while travelling] will never be zero,” says Syra Madad, “But there are ways that you can help reduce or mitigate some of that risk by layering on different types of basic approaches.” Here are some ways that can help you stay healthy while travelling on a plane:

  1. Wear the required PPE. Wear masks not only on the plane but also in the airport and lobby areas as well. Travellers can also wear additional protection, such as facemasks, as well for extra protection.
  2. Maintain good hand hygiene. Washing your hands, for at least 20 seconds, is one of the best ways to protect yourself from spreading diseases. If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  3. Wipe down communal surfaces. Many viruses and bacteria survive on objects, so it is important to thoroughly wipe down surfaces while travelling. Bring disinfectant wipes on board with you so that you can clean and disinfect objects that you will be touching with your hands.
  4. Choose a window seat. Research suggests that sitting next to a window can help you avoid catching an illness in flight, as aisle seats have more access to more people.

Because of high-efficiency particulate air filters on aircraft, there is little risk of contracting an illness on the actual flight. Health experts say that the riskiest parts of travelling are actually before and after a flight due to crowding in the airport. Do your best to maintain distance and sanitize yourself and your surroundings.

Source Author: Natalie B. Compton

(https://saulsinternational.com)

Source:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/flights-covid-plane-healthy/

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