Flight Safety:

Travelling in a pandemic

While many of us are staying put in Singapore for the time being, some of us need to fly overseas even as the COVID-19 crisis continues. If you’re planning any air travel this summer, here’s what you can do to make the trip safer.

Airplanes are notorious petri dishes for all sorts of bacteria, with passengers confined in a limited space, explains DR MYTHILI PANDI, an Australian trained doctor at International Medical Clinic (IMC) Katong. “The air is pressurised and humidified to make it more comfortable for the passengers. This unfortunately provides the perfect medium for growth of viruses and bacteria as well.”

From seat belts, arm rests and tray tables to touch screens, shared bathrooms and airport water fountains, there are plenty of germ-infested surfaces for travellers to come into contact with before and during a journey. In fact, a 2015 study found that seat-back trays are the filthiest part of the plane – even dirtier than the flush button in the bathroom (gross!), followed by the overhead air vent nozzles.

Knowing this, you’ll probably want to take even stricter precautions to minimise the risks for you and your fellow passengers (even after the pandemic is over!). Here’s what Dr Pandi suggests:

Choose flights that are emptier, and those that allow you to select your seats. Window seats far away from the high traffic areas (toilets!) are best.

Pack personal protective equipment:

• Disposable surgical masks (more than one if your flight is more than five hours long).

• Antibacterial wipes.

• Gloves.

• Hand sanitiser with more than 70 percent ethyl ethanol (“the natural essential oil sanitisers just don’t do the trick!”).

• Plastic bag for your essentials (passport, phone and ear buds, for example).

As soon as you get to your allocated seat, wipe down the tray table, air vents, hand rests and seat buckles with an antibacterial wipe. If you have a touch screen in the seat in front of you, wipe that down too!

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Vaccination advice

Additionally, it’s recommended that you wear your face mask throughout the duration of your flight, even if it’s not airline policy to do so, says Dr Pandi. But, if you do have to remove your mask during the flight, there are some very important precautions you should take:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water (sing “Happy Birthday” twice) or use hand sanitiser before removing your mask. Do not touch the front of the mask; only touch the ear loops or bands. If you have a reusable mask, place it in a plastic bag – not in the seat pockets or on the tray table, as those can then be contaminated again.

Stay hydrated! According to Dr Pandi, being well hydrated helps keep the mucous membranes in our airways moist. This, in turn, helps us waft virus particles out of the airways to prevent infections. (“So, choose water instead of the alcoholic beverage!”)

IMC has four clinics across Singapore (IMC Camden, IMC Children’s, IMC Jelita and IMC Katong). To book an appointment, call 6733 4440 or visit imc-healthcare.com.