How to Safely Travel During an Outbreak
During viral outbreaks, we are reminded of how vulnerable we can be as a community on both a local and a global basis. Reactions to viruses have brought entire cities to a screeching halt, closed schools, shut down production lines and cleaned off store shelves. But not everyone has the ability to shelter in place until the threat passes. If you or someone you love is among those who must commute outside the home, no matter the risk, take steps to stay safe during your travels and to avoid bringing anything nasty home to those you love.
Avoid Outbreak Areas and Unnecessary Travel
Whenever an outbreak occurs, compare any travel plans against travel advisories and travel health notices provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has three levels of precautions: Watch Level 1 (use usual precautions), Alert Level 2 (practice enhanced precautions) and Warning Level 3 (avoid nonessential travel).
Under Level 3, we all should avoid affected areas unless it is absolutely necessary to travel into them. At Level 2, we should strive to avoid the areas hardest hit, especially with a chronic medical condition that increases vulnerability. In these cases, consider postponing the trip. At Level 1, we can travel but should take precautions. There is still a chance of exposure. Speak to a doctor for the latest information and for individualized advice.
Travel Safely and Be Prepared
Even those not traveling to a location with a lot of infections may still come into contact with an infected person or enter a space where an infected person was. It’s just the global nature of the world we live in. Protect yourself by doing the following:
- Sanitize all surfaces in the hotel room, cabin or cubicle. Consider packing bleach wipes in a plastic reclosable bag for this purpose.
- Cover all regularly touched items, such as a remote control, in a plastic baggie.
- Use a reusable water bottle and bring your own cutlery.
- Sanitize all trays, armrests, seats, seatbelts and counter surfaces before use in planes, trains, rental cars, offices or hotel rooms.
- Increase your personal space while flying by upgrading travel plans to Business Class or First Class.
- Wear a filtering face mask when in public. Be aware that face masks are much more effective when worn by those who are ill to filter coughs, sneezes, or droplets. However, wearing a mask while healthy to filter out potential droplets from others is more effective than having no protection.
- Avoid shaking hands when meeting new people. Go for an elbow bump instead. And carry hand sanitizer for the times you just can't avoid it.
Be prepared for anything to happen. Travelers are being detained and quarantined. Make sure you prepare for these possibilities during your travels by bringing extra supplies and/or medications.
Avoid Contamination
Avoid contamination at all costs. If people appear sick, do not sit next to them or interact with them. Do not touch your mouth, eyes and nose, even if they itch. Wash your hands frequently with soap in running water, making sure to wash them for at least 20 seconds after touching another person or any potentially contaminated surface. If you can’t access a sink, try to carry alcohol-based hand wipes or hand sanitizer for frequent use.
Boost the Immune System
It may also help to take steps to boost the immune system. Take over-the-counter vitamins that will boost immunity, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, zinc and vitamin E and try to eat a healthy, balanced diet while traveling—fill up on the salad bar to avoid the traveler's health crash that too often follows high-fat and heavy meals from eating out.
Upon Arrival Home
Wash and sanitize clothing upon arrival home to avoid exposing others to anything you may have picked up. Wash clothes in hot water or use a laundry sanitizer. Remember that germs can cling to clothing, come to rest on the skin, hair, and most especially, the hands. So clean hands before touching the doorknobs and consider showering immediately upon arrival home. See our story on how to protect your home for more ways to keep your home and those in it, as safe as possible from viruses, even during a pandemic.
Traveling during a global outbreak can put yourself and others at risk, but if it’s unavoidable, take steps to protect everyone. Halt all unnecessary travel, travel smartly, protect yourself from contamination and wash your hands often. If you believe you have come into contact with someone who is infected, contact a medical professional immediately and remember to take steps to prevent bringing it back into your home.
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