COVID-19 ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS

SHOULD YOU TRAVEL DURING THE CORONA VIRUS OUTBREAK?

Listen, as a responsible traveller, I gotta say that the shortest and simplest answer to this, is..

No.

No. You should not travel.

Cheap flights? Stay home. Discount on hotels? Better to rest at home. Special anniversary trip? Unless you're rushing for 'Til Jannah/Death Do Us Apart', celebrate at home (k this last one was a tad bit dramatic, but you get my drift).

The best thing to do right now is to stay home, be mindful of your physical contact, stay clean and sanitized, hydrate, desist from participating in mass gatherings, and get plentiful of rest and calm. In light of this global outbreak, the most considerate thing to do for yourself and for society is to stay informed and stay safe. Malaysia is proving itself incredibly capable in this pandemic (kudos to the health officers who are doing an amazing job!!) but, other countries aren't as stringent, and you never know who you might come in contact with on your trips.

So for everyone reading this, I urge you, please, to avoid traveling during this period.

Now that that's being said, I need to address the other side of reality. Because I'm part of a community that has to travel and keep in contact with people for a living (shout out to tourism, aviation, hospitality, photography, media), it's critical that I address this issue. For a lot of us in the mentioned industries, there isn't an option. Traveling is a necessary part of the our livelihoods. So for those who are moving about right now, please take some necessary precautions:

1.  Get a flu shot

2. Sanitize, wear gloves and face masks where possible. Bring hand sanitizers, bacterial wipes, and a fresh set of clothes to change into after your job

3. Avoid physical contact with anyone. Avoid holding anyone else's equipment or phones.

4. Avoid crowded areas

5. Avoid eating local street food (cook if you must, bring lots of pre packed meals)

6. Research your destination thoroughly - what are the outbreak numbers? where are the nearest health centers? Is there an embassy in the city you'll be in that you can contact for emergencies?

7. Research on your itinerary thoroughly - where are the places you're planning to go? are they still open? Is it absolutely necessary for you to be out of your hotel? What are the fastest and safest routes?

8. Avoid transits where possible, get direct flights. Choose a window seat for minimum contact with people who are going up and down isle.

9. Always shower as soon as you get home after the job/meeting is done!

10. Stay hydrated, stay calm, stay informed.

And most importantly.. if you feel unwell (even without the COVID-19 symptoms), please do not travel. Do not compromise your immune system against this viral disease, and do not compromise other people's health due to your illnesses.

Let's get through this very frustrating times with positivity and calmness.