Coronavirus pandemic - Is it safe to fly with curbs eased on airlines?

It has been more than 2 months since most countries banned airlines operations. World coming to a halt and people stay put wherever they were, it has been opposed to human nature to always be on a move.

 

Now as countries are slowly easing out the lockdowns and reviving the economies, airlines are coming back to work. The skies are again bustling in action that had been barren. We are ready to travel, to fly. But are we tension-free and stress-free regarding the idea of flying?

 

Why is there a fear of flying?

 

The primary reason, and logical to that, for fear of flying or travelling in a train or bus is the proximity to a fellow passenger, of less than six feet, which is advised by WHO against coronavirus spread.

 

The probability of a person being infected is directly proportional to the distance to infection source and duration of exposure. Unfortunately, both these factors are major risk while flying.

 

Furthermore, sharing of toilets, arm rest in a pressurized closed compartment in airplane poses as a major hazard of potential infection spread. People fearing air travel for this reason is reasonable.

 

Think before booking flight tickets

The way to control your exposure to the coronavirus is to work out the facts and details around trip – essentiality, flight duration, case load in the region, to name a few. This decision-making is your way to control your infection contracting risk and transmission probability in case you are an asymptomatic carrier.

 

Smart action would be to weigh in the consequences and need of travelling, and if not essential it would be better to eliminate the trip.

 

What to do if you decide on travelling?

 

If travelling, it would be wise to contact airlines to understand their protocols on seating and boarding. Many airlines are flying at low capacity while some are leaving the middle seat vacant.

 

Understanding federal and state guidelines is important to be ready for any changes. Also booking shorter flights would be a better idea rather than a direct flight. This will make the chances of using cramped airline lavatory.

 

Booking a window seat is an ideal scenario. Considering 6 feet radius, the wall being on one side, the probable exposure sources are minimum.

 

Furthermore, carrying sanitized wipes, hand sanitizers and masks goes without saying. Minimize touching public places as much as possible.

 

Travelling is something each of us is craving. But a smart decision of whether to travel and required precautions while flying can make it as low risk and stress-free as possible.

 

 

Source: 

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/is-it-safe-to-fly-yet/index.html