Taking a taxi is safer than traveling by public transport but still, there are precautions to take
Let us be resoundingly clear, the most sensible advice that we can offer you is to stay at home as much as possible and only go out if it is absolutely necessary. In following safety guidelines, not only you ensure your safety but also the safety of your family, kids, parents, and friends that you see often. According to a census, one coronavirus patient who does not follow social distancing can infect up to 400 people. So, staying home means staying safe.
If it is absolutely necessary to travel or commute, then there are guidelines set up by health professionals and World Health Organization that should be followed strictly to ensure everyone’s safety.
Preferred Way of Traveling During Pandemic
the safest way to travel in those pandemic hit days is to travel by your personal transport such as your vehicle, motorbike or bicycle but if this is not an option and you have to take public transport then the safest way is to travel by a cab which is relatively safer than using the public transport.
While safer than other mediums of transport, we still have to practice and adhere to the safety precautions that can keep us and others safe. While cabs provide us a somewhat controlled environment and chance to keep distance while traveling. As recommended by a cab service in London, there are the following suggestions that can further ensure that we avoid contracting the virus.
Use a Covid-19 Safe Vehicle
As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Your safest bet is to choose a vehicle that is Covid safe. There are organizations like luxury chauffeured private hire that provide Covid safe vehicles as we leave no stone unturned to keep our vehicles as sanitized as possible. Instead of hailing the taxi from the roadside, make sure that you choose a well-reputed cab company that pays complete attention to preventative measures. Measures such as sanitizing the vehicle after each engagement, providing hand sanitizers in the vehicle, use of brand-new vehicles, providing masks inside the vehicle, sanitizing the passenger luggage, ensuring the driver’s health, etc. These measures may not give absolute guarantee to protect you but chances are dramatically reduced of getting transmitted.
Cover your Face
Covid-19 is a respiratory disease and is transmitted only through bodily fluids. Unless it contacts your mouth, nose, and eyes, it cannot be transmitted so the most important advice that we can provide is that you should cover your face all the time. There are many ways that you can cover your face safely such as wearing an N95 mask that is certain to keep the virus out by its cutting-edge technology or by wearing a surgical mask that is a viable protection against the virus. Make sure to use a new mask after each outing and dispose of the old one safely. Wearing a disposable cloth mask that can be worn multiple times is not recommended as it may contain the virus without your knowledge because of its continuous exposure. Keep extra masks in a sealable plastic bag so you can change the mask immediately if it gets dirty.
Avoid Anyone Without a Mask
Whether it’s just someone along the way or the driver of your vehicle, avoid them at all costs. A non-mask wearer holds an extremely high possibility to transmit the virus to the people near them. Do not sit in a cab that has a driver without a mask. When you do sit in a cab, follow the driver’s advice. He may ask you to sit in the back left-hand seat if traveling alone and face away from the other passenger where possible.
Keep Your Distance
Whether it’s when you are waiting for your ride or when you are in your ride, always keep your distance from the people outside of your household. Only come out of your residence when your ride is outside and keep your journey short and sweet. Inside the vehicle, try and keep your distance from the driver and another passenger as much as possible.
Strictly No Physical Contact/ Touching Surfaces
Physical contact with an infected person is almost a sure way to allow the virus to transmit and you should make sure that you should not make any physical contact when outside your residence. Limit touching surfaces that are frequently touched such as kiosks, digital interfaces, ticket machines, turnstiles, handrails, restroom surfaces, elevator buttons, and benches as the virus can stay alive on different surfaces for quite a long time.
Maintain Hygiene at All Times
Maintaining a strict regime of hygiene can significantly lessen the chances of being infected. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and always keep a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol handy in your pocket so you can sanitize your hand at any given moment. Change your mask and gloves at regular intervals preferably after every outing. Change your clothes as soon as it is possible. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
Increase Ventilation inside Vehicle
A closed vehicle means possibly the same infected air circulating and infecting the occupants. Ask you driver to improve the ventilation in the vehicle if possible. For example, lower the windows a little or setting the air ventilation on non-recirculation mode. Crack the window open and try and sit next to the fresh air to improve your chances of staying safe.
Keep Abreast with Latest Updates
Keep in close contact with your Health officials and World Health Organization updates for the latest information on Covid-19 and their prevention advice and follow them religiously as they ensure that you and your loved ones avoid an unnecessary infection and a possible life-threatening situation.
Why Public Transport is Too Risky
Public transport is a huge grey area as social distancing in those confined spaces is almost impossible and since everyone touches public transport everywhere, it’s a minefield of touchpoints that you must avoid while keeping social distancing. Moreover, the air that circulates within the public transport is almost certain to carry the virus if there is even one infected person traveling in the same cabin as you. While it is advised to sit or stand near the ventilated areas, it does not provide you safety when you are breathing in the infected air.
Due to the above-mentioned reasons, it is highly advised to avoid public transport as much as possible and if it is absolutely necessary, use every possible safety measure that can keep you safe such as wearing a mask and gloves and keeping the distance.
