COVID-19 safety: Tips for travel, restaurants, and the gym

The world that went into lockdown is slowly opening up. With increasing relaxations in restrictions, people are venturing out in numbers to catch up on lost time. What we should remember is that the carefree world that we lived in is history because the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is here to stay with us for a long time and we have to learn to live with it. So our every activity should revolve around keeping the virus that is still at large away from us.

Here are a few tips to help you get through the post-lockdown world safely..

Tips for travelling 

• Avoid travelling to COVID-19 hotspots
• Do not travel if you have been in contact with a COVID patient
• Limit travel if you are in high-risk group
• Wear a mask always
• Don’t touch eyes, nose and mouth
• Stay at least 6 feet from other people
• Cover your cough or sneeze with elbow or tissue paper
• Pack enough food to last your travel time
• Pick up food at take-aways
• Pack enough medicines to last the trip
• Limit touching frequently touched surfaces
• Use contactless payment options
• Wash your hands with soap and water often
• Carry a hand sanitiser with you and use it if soap and water are not available

Tips for eating out 

• Don’t eat out if you feel sick
• Carry a hand sanitiser with you always
• Wear a mask and remove it only when eating
• Choose a well-ventilated non-airconditioned restaurant
• Open air dining when available is best
• Check whether the table has been cleaned and sanitized before you take it
• Check if there is safe distance between diners in the restaurant
• Check whether the wait staff are wearing masks
• Sanitise or wash your hands after touching any surface including menus
• Choose well cooked hot food
• Limit your time at the restaurant to eating
• Avoid meeting and socialising at restaurants
• Opt for take aways if you are in the high-risk group

Tips for working out at the gym

• Don’t venture out if you feel sick
• Carry a sanitiser with you
• Choose an off-hour when it is less crowded
• Choose a well ventilated spacious gym
• Avoid fitness classes that have more people
• Check if instructors are wearing masks
• Wear a mask while working out
• Sanitise equipment surfaces you are likely to touch before and after use
• Choose outdoor exercising if you are in the high-risk group

Post lockdown is the time we have to be extra careful. The virus is still around and in a majority of the cases, it does not cause any symptom. An apparently healthy individual may be a carrier or a super spreader, but if we maintain social distancing, practice hand and respiratory hygiene, wear masks and avoid crowds, we can prevent infection.

After lockdown, take care to follow all the guidelines given by the government. Stay safe.