How to travel safe this festive

Are you wondering if it would be safe to go on holiday this December, amid the Covid-19?

Gauteng general practitioner Dr Daniel Israel shared some insight on what you can do to stay safe while travelling.

Israel said there was an expected rise in Covid-19 cases in the country and gave travel tips.

For those who may have symptoms, Israel said it would be best to take serious precautions.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the safest way to live through this pandemic is to confine yourself to a room indefinitely,” he said.

“Don’t leave. Ensure you pass sterilised food only through a small crack in the door and you will not contract Covid-19.

“However, in reality, the challenge on mental and developmental health on a personal and family level as a direct result of Covid-19 isolation measures has never been greater.

“We need a holiday more than any other year. Holidays help recover relationships, shift perspectives and allow for rejuvenation,” he said.

Here’s how you can have a safe holiday:

– Ventilation at social interactions is vital. Unless you are exposing yourself to family you live with, all other social interactions should happen outdoors or at least in very well-ventilated spaces.

– Masks work. Pics with friends look great with masks too. Set the tone of: It’s cool for us to have fun and wear our masks too – just in case.

– Avoid large crowds. Full supermarkets with social distancing and sanitising are not “large crowds”. Packed night-clubs, clubhouses or concerts are.

– Hosting guests over for a meal must be done with thought. Ensure that there is at least a three meter distance between you, if you are eating, and do so for as short a time as possible. Serve the food while wearing masks. Let the host do the serving as much as possible.

– Alcohol magically washes masks away and closes distances. Take extra precautions if you drink.

– If you feel unwell, contact a doctor and get tested. Do not go to work or socialise. Identifying a positive case early prevents major outbreaks. The Rage “super-spreader” event started with a couple of cases at most.

The safest way to travel:

Car travel with adherence to festive season road safety is certainly the safest option. It also allows for possible return home should you become infected.

Tips for safe air travel:

– Wear a well fitted mask throughout the process. Door-to-door. A three-layer cloth mask (or a medical mask if they are available).

– Don’t touch your eyes or your face on the flight.

– Use your hand luggage as a barrier to ensure other passengers do not come too near to you during embarking and disembarking.

– Stay in your seat at the departure gate or on the plane until there is ample space for you to move.

– Keep the air vent above your seat blowing on you throughout the flight. (The air is HEPA filtered).

– Try not to eat or drink on the flight. You can manage a short flight without refreshments.

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