In the midst of the current Corona
condition, some people who will go out of town or abroad are strictly
prohibited. Moreover, at this time the Corona virus has not completely
disappeared from countries around the world. There are still several new cases
that are homework for the government. Due to unfavorable conditions, some
people must be willing to coexist with the Corona virus. However, airlines
still operate domestically. Unlike the time when the corona virus had not yet
become a pandemic, flights during a pandemic have a number of special
procedures that must be followed by passengers and airline cabin crew.
Reporting from the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) or an agent from the United States Department of Homeland
Security, the local government issued a policy that must be adhered to for
anyone who wants to travel by airplane. The following are tips for safe flying
during the corona virus pandemic:
1. Airline research
After holding the flying conditions such as
the results of the rapid test or PCR test, research the airlines and see how
they protect passengers and cabin crew. Many airlines have embedded information
related to Covid-19 on their official pages. Here you will see the strategies implemented
to reduce the spread of the virus during flight. David Freedman, emeritus
professor of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama, Birmingham,
recommends choosing flights that have strict built-in restrictions to avoid
crowds on board.
2. Reduce interactions at the airport
According to Freedman, talking about
contact and transmission of the virus, airports are more at risk than planes.
From check-in to boarding, interactions with other people are inevitable.
However, there are some tips for reducing interaction. The International Air
Transport Association (IATA) encourages passengers to print boarding passes at
home or simply show the boarding pass via cellphone. Also try to choose
self-service at the airport.
3. Keep your distance from other people
It's quite difficult, but as much as
possible you really keep physical distance from other people. But for economy
class flights this seems difficult. The reason is that the passengers are
placed close together like without a partition. Freedman suggests buying flight
tickets outside of peak flights or peak hours. Pay attention to airlines that
offer flights with passenger restrictions and the distance between passengers.
4. Use a face shield
One thing that you absolutely shouldn't
forget is a mask. However, as an additional layer, IATA recommends wearing a
face shield for passengers and cabin crew. On a plane, your greatest risk is
catching the virus from the people sitting next to you. The face shield will be
more protective when worn together with the mouth and nose mask.
5. Hand sanitizer and wet wipes are
available
The corona virus can stay on the surface
for a long time. It is important to clean the seating area with wet wipes or a
spray disinfectant. In addition, keep your hands clean by using a hand
sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60 percent. The use of hand
sanitizers also minimizes your visits to the toilet, considering that toilets
can carry a greater risk of transmission.
6. Use the toilet less
Once on an airplane, make fewer trips to
the toilet or not to the toilet as much as possible. Freedman considered,
toilets are a problem. Why? Just imagine how many people were going in and out
of the toilet and there were many surfaces that were touched such as door
handles, taps and toilet flush knobs.
Those are some explanations regarding safe
tips for traveling using an airplane that you can do when deciding to use an
airplane.
