COVID-19 or coronavirus as its being widely called, is a highly contagious virus that’s been spreading rapidly in China and Asia Pacific countries. Although its mortality rate is very low, it’s still better to avoid getting sick in the first place. Here are 5 precautions you can try to avoid getting sick on your trip.
5. Travelling isn’t as bad as people lead you to believe.
People are told not to travel at all for fear of contracting the virus. But the truth is, you can travel without inhibitions, provided you take the necessary health precautions. Research shows that the geographical spread of nCoV has so far been restricted to countries with colder climates. Places with temperatures of 26 degrees and above are deemed safe. Some locations that have higher temperatures are Goa, Nagpur, Agra, Surat, Mysore, etc.
4. Stay aware of how COVID-19 spreads
COVID-19 spreads when droplets from an infected person’s mouth or nose enter the eyes, nose or mouth of a healthy one. So if you see someone visibly coughing, sneezing or is sick you can
-keep your distance. 2 to 0.5m should suffice.
– offer them a mask.
3. Stay away from crowds
Crowds are the perfect breeding ground for viruses and bacteria in general. Avoid crowds on your journey as much as possible. Especially in bazaars and transports.
Remember, people who are infected by coronavirus may not show symptoms for up to 2 weeks. So you never know who might be sick.
2. Avoid touching things that may be touched by an infected person
Coronavirus can survive outside the body for 48 hours. So a droplet can fall on doorknobs, pens, screens, lift buttons, cups, etc and survive for days. Just waiting to be carried by an unsuspecting person. Always wear gloves to be extra safe. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating. If there’s none available then use a hand sanitizer.
1. Seek medical help immediately if you feel you’re sick
Many people feel that waiting it out at home when they notice symptoms should be alright. It’s not! Always seek medical attention no matter how mild the symptoms. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Also, be sure to wear a mask yourself so you can’t spread the disease any further.
India and coronavirus: Is it safe?
Despite its massive population, India has remained relatively unaffected by COVID-19. As of now, 1,632 samples from suspected patients have been tested from across the country of which three samples have tested positive; all from the state of Kerala. Most states in India are relatively low risk for any further coronavirus cases, including Goa, Maharashtra, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana.
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