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With the sudden outbreak of the Coronavirus, which has vastly spread across the world, many of us are left worrying and wondering what precautions we can take. With any virus or health-related outbreak, it’s normal to be concerned, more so for those that are planning too, or are scheduled to travel to different parts of the world. While there have been multiple reports of confirmed cases both far and near from home, now is the time to take extra steps and do your part to stay healthy, alert, and educated on the current situation.

If you have a halal holiday scheduled, or are travelling on business, it’s understandable that you’ll want to take a few extra special precautions to ensure your own safety and well-being. Travelling internationally means mingling with people from all different countries, backgrounds, and travel history, leaving you wide open and exposed to not just the everyday germs, but potentially the virus itself. In order to protect yourself, we highly recommend following the following guidelines and must-dos to prevent you from catching any unwanted illness.

Wash your hands

It may sound like an obvious one, but it’s one that’s often forgotten. As often as you can, refrain from touching your face, such as your eyes, nose, or mouth, when you’ve been in contact with an open space. One should also wash their hands with soap and alcohol as often as you can to kill germs. Now is the time to become overly obsessed with hand washing, especially as your hands could potentially be the reason why you pick up germs.

Wear A Mask

If you’re travelling to a halal destination that is known to have confirmed cases of the Coronavirus, one of the best ways to protect yourself is to wear a mask. Ideally, whether your destination is on the list of confirmed countries or not, it’s best to wear a mask during your travels, especially in the airport and on your flight, to be on the safe side. Germs, in general, are everywhere; on airplanes, airports, taxies and public transportation.

Avoid Unnecessary Contact

It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially with multiple reports of confirmed cases being announced every day. As much as possible, distance yourself from those that are visibly ‘sick’ or have a cough. If you are the one that has been unwell, it’s also best to avoid close contact with others too. Not only may they be worried about the germs you are carrying, but a weakened immune system due to a previous illness such as a cold or fever leaves you vulnerable to picking up more germs.

Stay Healthy

Boost your immune system and stock up on Vitamin C. Eating and drinking healthy is a must, and taking extra vitamins, especially vitamin c, has been highly recommended since the outbreak begun. Avoid uncooked or under-cooked meats and seafood, especially if they are from infected areas. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated has also been highly recommended, due to the fact that the virus can only latch on to a dry throat and should almost always be completely absorbed if the throat is kept nicely moist.

Educate Yourself

“Probably one of the most important and effective ways to keep yourself healthy is to EDUCATE YOURSELF. “

There are plenty of articles, blogs, tips and to-dos regarding the Coronavirus, many of which have come from highly recommended hospitals, organizations, and doctors. If you are travelling, or whether you’re in an area that has a confirmed case, read and gain knowledge on the virus, what best practices to take, and what other ways there are to protect yourself and your loved ones.

At the end of the day, there is only so much we can do to keep ourselves healthy and protected from the Coronavirus. However, the simple steps one can take can play a big part in ensuring a happy and healthy trip no matter where in the world you go. Stay alert, observe proper hygiene, and don’t be ashamed to go the extra mile to ensure your safety when travelling.

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