Have you been travelling amidst the pandemic?
The discussion over COVID-19, its symptoms and how it spreads, whether to travel or not has been never ending ever since the ongoing pandemic. One thing we all know is that travel is one of the primary reasons that may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19.
It is very likely for you to get infected with COVID-19 while travelling and experience no change or any symptom at all and still spread the virus. While travelling domestic or international the transportation you choose, the place you stay at and the increased chances of you coming into close contact with other people all in all makes for a higher chance for you to getting infected.
So, in any case that you’ve to travel it is of extreme importance to learn choosing travel activities that are at low risk in order to protect yourself and others.
Here’s what you need to consider if you are travelling domestic or international as per the Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC).
1. If you are returning from international or domestic travel in regions with high number of cases, cruise ship travels or mass gatherings (over 200 people) and those who have had close contact with a patient suspected or confirmed with COVID 19 must quarantine for 14 days following the last exposure while maintaining a minimum of 6ft distance as per CDC and 3 ft as per World Health Organization (WHO).
2. It is advised to take a test post 5 to 7 days in the quarantine period and whatever may be the results the quarantine period has to necessarily last for up to 14 days.
3. Avoiding Contact with people who are at high risk of illness unless they are members of similar household with same exposure.
4. Check your temperature twice daily to monitor fever or cough in case you’re experiencing any of it reach out to your medical advisor.
5. People with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection withing three months prior to the exposure are exempted from self-quarantine & testing recommendations.
Staying home is the best way to protect oneself and others from being infected with COVID 19 and avoiding travel as much as you can. If you can’t avoid travel in any circumstance do consider the following before you plan to travel:
1. Is COVID-19 highly spread in the destination or place you’re planning to travel?
Higher the number of cases, higher are your chances of getting infected.
2. Have you been living or staying in close proximity with someone at increased risk of severe illness?
Since the symptoms cannot always be seen, being an asymptomatic you may end up infecting a large number of people including your loved ones.
3. Are you at increased risk of severe illness from COVID 19?
People with underlying medical condition are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID 19.
It is not necessary that you get infected with COVID-19 while travelling, basic precautions that have been repeatedly told time and again are still the safest measures to keep you and others around you protected. Here’s what you need if you’ve been travelling:
1. Wear your mask and keep your nose and mouth covered when in public places like while using public transportation and transportation hubs such as airports & stations.
2. Maintain social distancing at all times. A minimum of 6ft apart from any person who does not belong to your household.
3. Keep washing or hands or sanitizing them frequently.
4. Avoid close contact with people who are sick or suffering any form of illness.
5. Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes time and again.
Travel has the tendency to elevate your chances of being infected with COVID 19 increasingly. STAY HOME, STAY SAFE!
Dr. Vishal Jadhav, Medical Director
Oshmedics Healthcare LLP (ISO 9001:2008)
+91-9820833149
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