For travelling during coronavirus, it is crucial to adhere to the protocols of hygiene and social distancing. From wearing masks, using sanitizers frequently to refraining from touching surfaces and maintaining safe distances from others, we need to follow every precautionary measure to ensure a safe journey. Truth to be told, we as adults, tend to omit the necessary steps at times. No wonder, children can be more prone to making mistakes. If you’re taking your children along with you on a trip amid the pandemic, make sure to train them carefully to heighten their awareness of the virus, so that they can proactively safeguard themselves.
Here are a few tips that will help you travel safely with your kids during the COVID-19 situation:
1. Educate Them In Detail Before The Journey
Take out a couple of hours prior to your journey to sit with your kids and educate them on the necessity to take precautions against COVID-19. Make them aware of the detrimental effects of the virus. If needed, write down in points the safety measures they need to take during the journey and assist them in memorizing the points.
2. Avoid Buying Them Outside Food
While travelling, try to carry snacks and home-cooked food and try not to get carried away by your kids’ tantrums when they ask for outside food. Especially, keep them away from crowded shops. Also, ensure that you sanitize their hands before they eat. If you’re feeding them, don’t forget to apply sanitizer on your hands.
Also Read: 10 Precautions To Take While Planning A Road Trip Right Now
3. Carry A First-Aid Box
Include a lot of vitamins and other nutrients in our kids’ diet to improve their immune systems so that they do not catch infections easily. But for emergency purposes, you must carry a first-aid box having cold and flu combating medicines, anti-allergens, sprain-relief gels, band-aids, etc. Last but not the least, carry a thermometer as well to monitor your or your kid’s temperature if required.
4. Use Only Clean Washrooms
Ensure that you and your kids use washrooms that are extremely clean. Also, use a spray sanitizer to disinfect surfaces with which you or your child might come in contact. Clean your kids’ hands thoroughly after they come out of the washrooms. It’s best to avoid using public washrooms at the time of pandemic.
5. Keep Extra Masks And Gloves In Store
Keep some extra masks for you and your kids inside your bag before starting the journey. If you’re on a long trip, you might not get an opportunity to wash your masks. During those times, the extra masks will come to help. Also, do carry extra hand sanitizers. Try to opt for the ones that are alcohol-based, since they are stronger and kill more germs. Apart from that, carry disposable gloves, as it won’t be always practically possible to stop your kids from touching surfaces.
6. Use Your Own Toiletries
While travelling, carry your own soaps, shampoos, body scrubs, antiseptic solutions ( like Dettol ), etc. If you’re putting up at a hotel, try to use your own toiletries instead of theirs. You must also carry a separate towel for you and your kids.
Also Read: I Went On A Trip To A Secluded Campsite In Pushkar During The Pandemic
7. Wipe Surfaces Before Sitting
Before sitting on airport seats, inside planes, railway coaches, etc. don’t forget to wipe the surface with a tissue and sanitizer. Discard the tissue immediately after use and sanitize your hands for another time.
8. Keep Your Kids Away From Rides Like Swings, See-saws, etc.
Whenever children spot a swing, see-saw or rides alike on the way, they tend to run towards them. But remember, coronavirus can spread from surfaces. Thus, it’s best to keep them away from these rides now.
Also Read: I Took A Flight From Mumbai To Delhi During Pandemic And Here’s My Experience
While these are are few points to ease your worries and increase the safety standards of your trip, it’s best to stay at home until the virus is completely put at bay. Meanwhile, Curly Tales had interacted with some kids and here’s what they had to say about the lockdown: