Tips on Business Travel by Air during Coronavirus

With the spread of coronavirus throughout the world, you must take all kinds of precautions when traveling. Although most companies have started working online, some jobs still require travel by plane. We are still in a critical period for controlling the spread of the virus, so travelers, please keep these travel tips in mind. Protect yourself and stay safe!

When you check in, you should pay attention to:

1. Choose a window seat

Studies have shown that people in aisle seats on planes leave their seats far more often than those in window seats, and therefore are at higher risk of being exposed to disease.

When flying, try to get a window seat and refrain from walking around the cabin as much as possible.

2. Social distance (in flight)

If you can't get a seat by the window, try to sit as far apart as possible from other passengers to avoid inhaling the droplets coughed up by one another.

3. Evaluate your condition

The World Health Organization recommends checking your health before you fly. If you have fever, cough, or other symptoms, please do not travel, so as to not infect others. While protecting yourself, please consider the safety and health of others as well.

When going through security, you should:

4. Cooperate with inspection

Cooperate with civil aviation, passenger transport, and other transportation departments' health inspection requirements. Airport guidelines have been updated to reduce the interaction between travelers and with everyone’s health in mind. If you have symptoms such as fever and cough during the flight, please report your symptoms to the appropriate staff.

5. Reasonably carry disinfection and protective equipment

Because of the strict rules on what passengers can carry on planes, many sterilization supplies cannot travel on-person.

Due to security requirements, carrying small alcohol-based hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes with you is recommended to clean hands and possible contact areas, while adhering to airplane carry-on limitations.

Take note of the hand sanitizer you attempt to bring while traveling. Disinfectants made with particular kinds of alcohol will not be allowed on-board. Different kinds of thermometers may not be allowed on-board either. Please check civil aviation standards for details.

When you enter the airport, you should:

6. Wear a mask

The overall airport environment is relatively spacious, but medical hygiene masks help to provide basic protection.

Under the circumstance that the condition permits, long-distance travelers should bring additional medical hygiene masks, in order to replace masks that may become contaminated throughout the journey. You should wear masks throughout the flight and sanitize your hands before touching the masks at all. Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands throughout the flight as well.

7. Avoid lingering

When you enter the airport, streamline your path from check-in, to security, then to the boarding gate. The less time spent walking around will reduce your potential exposure to the virus.

8. Avoid using public goods

Hydrate well before the flight and pack whatever snacks you may want during flight. Wipe down any drinks and the packaging of any snacks you purchase inside the airport. Be cautious when using airport restrooms as well.

When you are on a plane you should:

9. Disinfect

Wipe the tray table, windows, armrests, and everything else in your seating area.

10. Wash your hands often

Hands come into contact with many things as you travel through the airport and airplane. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (or use hand sanitizer often).

Proper hand washing steps:

Wet hands with clean running water;

Use hand soap and lather evenly to the palms, back of the hands, between the fingers, and under the nails;

Rub your hands for at least 20 seconds;

Rinse with clean running water.

11. Cut back on consumption

During the flight, try to avoid walking and taking off your mask to eat, as well as reduce the frequency of water you drink. If you must eat, wash your hands first and try not to touch the food with them.

After you get off the plane, you should:

12. Obey the quarantine rule

Upon arrival at your destination, cooperate with the health quarantine and personal protection according to the prevention and control measures of the local government.

After arriving at the destination, you should be under self-medical observation for 14 days, minimize close contact with others, and measure your temperature once in the morning and once in the evening. If symptoms such as a fever or cough arise, you should immediately wear a surgical mask and self-monitor. You should take the initiative to inform your doctor of where you have recently visited and your current symptoms.

Wash your hands frequently, each time with the aforementioned technique. If clean running water is unavailable, use hand sanitizer before eating, after using the toilet, and before touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

When sneezing or coughing, being sure to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve.

If symptoms such as a fever or cough worsen, seek immediate medical attention. If your symptoms are severe enough and you cannot move, call 9-1-1 for help. Instruct others around you to wear their own mask, and to maintain a distance of more than one meter.

Finally, as the outbreak of the novel coronavirus continues to expand, avoid all non-essential travel and make sure that these flights are canceled in advance. For international travel plans, check the entry and exit policies of the destination country. To cooperate with airport staff in temperature measurement; passengers are advised not to travel if their body temperature exceed 37.3 degrees Celsius or if they have symptoms such as a cough.