Traveler’s guide to avoiding infectious diseases
Coronavirus excuses no one. It has caught everyone off-guard, which makes staying at home the only way to avoid and contain the virus. It has taken its toll in our daily lives, from going to the mall, go to work, catching up with our friends, and also traveling.
But we can’t help but think, that when everything comes back to normal, how does it change the way we travel?
In this article, we’ll provide you helpful ways on how you can protect yourselves from getting COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Avoid Crowded Places
Once the enhanced community quarantine is lifted, everything will go back to normal but that doesn’t mean we are already safe. Apart from social distancing, it is best to avoid places that are too crowded since we really can’t tell whether the person in front of you is infected or not.
Wear Face Mask

Let’s imagine we have already developed a vaccine for the virus, we still think that wearing a mask will now be a norm wherever you go. Health experts say that cloth masks and surgical masks offer little protection which makes the N95, perfect protection for us, but take note not to hoard many masks in the future as it will take away important resources from health care professionals.
Wash Your Hands

Before and after boarding a public and private vehicle, dining, using the bathroom, make sure to wash your hands well to avoid getting infectious diseases. It will also be beneficial of you bring a hand sanitizer or a small bottle of alcohol in your bag especially if you touched unnecessary surfaces like a doorknob, a remote control, and even an elevator
Stay Active
If you’re planning for a week or month-long travel, remind yourself to take a brisk walk, a 30-minute exercise, or visit a nearby gym to sweat out and boost the immune system.
Bring Insect Repellent

To avoid getting insect bites outdoors especially in a tropical country, make sure you bring your trusted insect repellent with you. If you forgot to bring one, it’s suggested you wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts, or white shirts, particularly at dusk. Studies show that wearing light colors can prevent mosquito bites.
Buy Only Bottled Beverages and Be Careful From Food Contamination
The only way to prevent drinking contaminated water that can lead to infection is by buying only bottled beverages or only if it’s boiled water, such as tea and coffee. Also, refrain from asking ice in your drinks, but of course, you can ask the restaurant or bar if the ice is made from purified water. No one likes un-iced beer, right?

When it comes to a local delicacy, sure you can’t miss it right, cause that will be a buzzkill. Just to make sure you aren’t going to have an upset stomach afterward, search for a restaurant in a clean surroundings or those with good reviews. It’s better safe than sorry.
Traveling is one of the most liberating activities in the world, however, it may pose a great risk if we aren’t careful about what we eat and what we do. This might sound basic but washing our hands is a key component in infection control.
Now that a virus has taken its toll on the world, personal hygiene should be highly observed at all costs.
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Also read: DIY Face Masks: Make Your Own Facemask In A Few Easy Steps!