The recent coronavirus outbreak has undoubtedly disrupted travel plans globally. Some travellers may have adjusted their travel plans due to travel restrictions, others due to personal choices. Regardless of where you are, here are a few proven tips to keep yourself safe.
1. Keep your hands clean 
Source: Nathan Dumlao
The first and simplest step towards tackling any virus outbreak is ensuring personal hygiene. One of the best things you can do to protect yourself and others around you is frequent hand washing (with soap and water).
Every surface you touch has been touched by many others, and you can never be too sure where their hands have been. Not only does hand washing lower your risk of getting infected by the coronavirus, you will also be less likely to contract a cold. It’s a win-win.
2. Cover your nose & mouth
Source: Zhipeng Ya
If you absolutely have to leave your house for any reason, pack some face masks that protect you against water droplets. While not the most comfortable option, wearing a mask helps to limit your contact with water droplets that may be carrying virus and bacteria. This is especially helpful in crowded areas such as the markets or in public transport.
Remember, the coloured side should always be on the outside. Once you’ve taken it off, you have to replace it. Learn the proper way of wearing masks here.
3. Stay home
Source: Samantha Gades
The most obvious thing you can do (albeit the hardest) is to stay home as much as possible, unless you are a frontline or an essential worker - in which case, thank you. While it’s understandable that you’d rather be travelling or be out and about, as best as possible, stay home to reduce the spread of the virus. One less person on the streets is one less person the virus may infect.
The virus has an incubation period of about 14 days. This means that someone who seems well at the time might be carrying the virus. Recent updates have also shown that people who might carry the virus can remain asymptomatic, but still spread it through droplets of water when they speak. It’s better to stay safe until things settle down.
The time for travel will come. In a global outbreak, everyone has a part to play in helping to stop the spread of the virus. Stay home, save lives, and we’ll all get through this together!
In the meantime, monitor the situation and find tips and resources on slowing the spread of coronavirus for yourself and the people you care about on the World Health Organization’s website.
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