The coronavirus pandemic has thrown a wrench in the plans of the entire world. To counter the spread of the virus many countries have imposed quarantine and travel restrictions. The whole travel industry seems to have ground to a halt. While this may prove a difficult period for some industries to recover from, one thing is certain: after the dust settles, people will continue to travel. Perhaps, more so than before.

At Eddy Travels, we are already working on new health and safety features that would help travellers navigate this situation. In the meantime, here are the main things you should know about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself against it. If you are planning any trips for later in the year, explore our detailed guide on travelling safely in times of the coronavirus.

What is COVID-19 and how it spreads

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019, which had not been previously identified in humans.

COVID-19, like the flu, can be passed from one person to another. When a person with coronavirus coughs, sneezes or talks, they may spread droplets containing the virus and infect other people nearby. If you touch any virus-contaminated surfaces or objects and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes, you may also get infected with COVID-19. Thus, washing your hands thoroughly and frequently is crucial for containing the spread of coronavirus.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may also have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea. After being infected with the coronavirus, a person will usually develop the symptoms gradually in the next 2-14 days.

Most people will recover from COVID-19 without needing special treatment. However, if you have a prolonged high temperature, continuous cough or difficulty in breathing, seek immediate medical attention by calling the emergency services.

Travelling? Back home from abroad?

If you feel unwell within 14 days of returning home, stay at home to prevent the potential spreading of the virus. If you need medical assistance, call the clinic or hospital before going.

You must also isolate yourself for a duration of 14 days if you have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Stay at home and self-monitor yourself for fever by taking your temperature twice a day and being vigilant for flu-like symptoms.

How to protect yourself?

The main ways to stay protected:

Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after being in a public place, blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Use a hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol. Rub it all over the surfaces of your hands until they are dry.
Refrain from touching your nose, eyes, and mouth with unwashed hands.

How to protect others?

Stay home if you feel unwell unless you need emergency care.
Use your bent elbow or tissue to cover up your coughs and sneezes.
Wear a face mask if you are sick.

Disinfect frequently touched surfaces every day, e.g. tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

Useful links and resources

The situation is changing every day. Local and national authorities are implementing increasingly stricter measures to contain the spread of coronavirus. To get the most up-to-date information, be sure to follow your local news and learn more about the situation in your area.

To learn more about COVID-19 and what is happening around the globe, be sure to explore these resources:

Let’s all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19!

Eddy Travels is an AI travel assistant with the best travel deals just a message away. Over 4 million users worldwide chat with the AI assistant to get the cheapest and most convenient flight, hotel, and apartment offers in seconds. Cutting-edge technology for natural language understanding (NLU) and personalization is powering the Eddy Travels artificial intelligence chatbot.

Follow our journey:
- Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Twitter -