How to Commute safely during the COVID-19

November 18, 2020
Posted by DANIEL KIM

Many countries worldwide from Australia, Asia to the Middle East, Europe to South and North America are under the dark clouds of the COVID-19. The Covid-19 pandemic has terrified people all around the world. The everyday social life is mostly restricted with the number of lockdowns or smart lockdowns. However, Governments/States has begun to lifting these restrictions for businesses, leading more people back to normal daily commute. So, how can we commute safely? Every form of travel, whether road or air, has its own set of risks associated. It is essential to be aware of the safety rules related to travel to stop the second wave of this pandemic. An excellent simple rule to follow is to travel via least crowded option available to you.

There are several suggestions from the scientific communities on how to safely return to work. Namely, washing hands, wearing a face mask, keeping a 6-feet social distance, avoiding face-to-face contact, and working from home. Despite the physical distancing, there are some daily use essentials to keep us safe from infections, including COVID-19. Naturally, the microorganisms are all over the place. Thus, they can come in contact with us from different surfaces. The coffee shops, fitness centers, shopping malls, public offices, or planes have many microbes. Discussed here are few tips that should be kept in mind to commute safely.

Antimicrobial backpacks

The main accessory for commuter’s daily life is the business backpack. When we visit places and set the backpacks aside in different places, the microbes can easily attach to the backpacks' surface. The backpack becomes the carrier and portal of entry for the microbes to our home, office, and car. However, antimicrobial backpacks can stop the spread of microbes from one place to another. The antimicrobials control the growth of the disease-causing bacteria and fungus.

Anti Bacterial + Anti Fungal = Antimicrobial

There is silver ion technology, which has been crafted in the backpacks to resist the microorganisms' growth. This technology works in the manufacturing of backpacks fabrics. The moisture and microbes activate the silver ions present on the business backpack's fabric. Therefore, the inside and outside embedded silver ions of backpack fabric release and destroy the microbes' structure by acting on their cell wall, stopping their metabolism and growth.

Use wheeled business backpacks

Using wheeled backpacks for work and office is an excellent option to commute more safely. Wheeled backpacks are available for all purposes and items, such as wheeled laptop bags, school bags, and office bags. They not only make your move an easy one as you do not have to carry the weight on your shoulder or arms but also are at a greater distance from your face, rolling on the floor behind you. In this way, you have lesser chances of picking any infection from them as they are always in a crowded environment, in direct exposure to people and surfaces.

Go Contactless for Fare Payments

Opt for a contactless payment method during your travel in buses or rails to avoid long lines. Many transportation companies launched smartphone apps where you can purchase the fare without contacting anyone.

Wear a mask

Do wear a face mask that adequately covers your face and nose while traveling in any public transport, especially when other social distancing measures are challenging to maintain. Even if you forget your facemask at home, they are available at most station booths.

Travel alone

The best option is to travel alone in your car or bike if possible rather than sharing a ride or using public transport. It is the safest way and associated with the least risk factors. You can share your ride with people of your household if they are healthy. Sometimes you do not have this option, and there is no choice other than sharing a ride. In that case, make sure you do it in a maximally safe way.

Share a ride safely

Try to avoid shared rides with people belonging to different households. If possible, sit at the back seat to maintain a maximum distance from other passengers and drivers. Avoid touching surfaces that are frequently in contact with other people, like handles and frames. Sanitize your hands as soon as possible, and do not touch your mouth, nose, and eyes. All the passengers and the driver must wear face masks. If possible, consider traveling at off-peak hours when there are minimum passengers on board. When having a seat, try to leave a few seats between yourself and others. If any public transport is not following the safety rules, bring it to the appropriate contact's attention.

Stay updated with routes

There may be changes in the timing of the routes you usually travel, so stay updated about it so to avoid any unnecessarily extended stay at public places like bus and train stations. Also, leave some additional time in your commute for any sudden or unexpected delays.

Disinfect Surfaces On Shared Bikes and Scooters

Sharing a ride on a scooter or a bike naturally maintains greater social distancing than buses or trains. Still, a mask is essential to wear, and it is vital to frequently clean highly touched surfaces like locks, gears, handlebars, etc. Leave a suitable distance between the vehicles while parking them. If you are using a rental scooter or bike, wipe all its surfaces with disinfection wipes. Keep such wipes all-time in your bag when you are outside.

Safety tips for walking

Prefer to select the track where you can maintain 6 feet distance from other pedestrians. Avoid high crowded and traffic areas. Remain conscious and mindful about the surfaces you touch, like use your elbow to touch crosswalk buttons instead of your hand.

Grocery and shopping

Wipe the grocery or shopping cart with a wipe before using. If you are buying one or two items you can carry in hand, it is better not to have the cart. Avoid touching things and items unnecessarily. Try to keep a maximum distance from other people at the place and the billing point.