How to Protect Yourself from Coronavirus at Airports

Airports are becoming scary destinations for travelers these days. With the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak, vacation time doesn’t sound that fun lately. Getting on a plane and visiting a country overseas is starting to feel like a burden and many are canceling their trips.

However, for countless reasons, we may need to visit an airport soon and we want to make sure that we are not going to fall sick due to the novel COVID-19 virus. With almost 100,000 confirmed cases to date, this is a serious threat.

While airports are doing their part in this worldwide health crisis (some say they aren’t doing enough, truth be told), we are also responsible for what could happen to ourselves. Travelers must be aware and behave when going through airports.

In the following lines, we will briefly discuss how you can protect yourself from Coronavirus at airports.

Be Aware of your Hands and Surroundings

First, stop touching everything around you. The virus could be present on surfaces in your surroundings and you want to avoid taking it on your hands and after that, into your body. Therefore, observe the many surfaces around you and pay extra attention to what you get in contact with.

Wash Hands Often

A very obvious piece of advice but surprisingly overlooked, even today. When you arrive at the airport, while you wait there, and before you leave: good opportunities to visit the bathroom and wash your hands energetically with soap and water for over 20 seconds. Make it a habit.

Cover Mouth and Nose when Coughing and Sneezing

The Coronavirus gets into our organism through respiratory ways. Therefore, we need to block them as often as possible. Coughing and sneezing are two great opportunities for the virus to come in, so cover your mouth and nose. Also important: do it with your arm and not with your hands.

Avoid Packed Crowds

Airports become crowded easily, so this recommendation may be hard to follow. However, do your best to avoid crowded packs of people. For example, while waiting in line, keep your distance from your fellow travelers.

Skip the Handshake

If you are the social type at airports, skip the handshake this time. These days aren’t safe times for normative social procedures as the handshake. Everyone is just as concerned as you are, so they will understand if you avoid the handshake (they will probably appreciate it too).

Go for Well-cooked Meat

This recommendation doesn’t only apply to airports but everywhere we may go these days. Health authorities have recommended us to only eat well-cooked meat as the virus could be present in raw meat. So, be careful of that quickly-cooked meal at the airport.

The Bottom Line

Coronavirus is a serious challenge for us as a society. International travel will continue for the moment as the World Health Organization and governments everywhere haven’t declared a full-fledged emergency.

In the meanwhile, if we cannot avoid traveling, behaving properly at airports is a good start to keeping us safe. Follow the recommendations above and be aware of the threat.