Photo Credit: Anna Shvets via www.pexels.com
The lockdown in the UK is finally starting to lift. But just because the restrictions are going to be a little laxer, doesn’t mean that we can throw caution to the wind. In fact, it’s probably even more important to be cautious – as you know that some of the people around you are going to think that it’s back to business as usual!
With that all in mind, let’s remind ourselves of some of the steps we might take to reduce the risk of contagion.
Avoid Public Transport
Getting into a cylinder with hundreds of other people may not seem a smart move. But there are ways to minimise the danger. Shift your work hours around to avoid rush hour, or start walking or cycling instead. If you can drive, then you might look at that as an alternative, too.
Having said that, there are precautions you can take when travelling by train. For example, you might take advantage of Key Smartcard from Thameslink Railway. If you’re travelling from London Bridge to Purley, you need only swipe the card at the start and end of the journey. No need to talk to anyone!
At the launch of the smartcard kiosks in March, Tom Moran, Managing Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, was keen to sing the praises of the new technology – “I am delighted that more of our customers will be able to enjoy the benefits of travelling smart. The Key Smartcard lasts longer than paper tickets, and if lost, can be easily cancelled and replaced with all tickets intact.”
Minimise Social Contact
It’s something that we’ve all had drilled into our heads over the past few months. Keep two metres away from people who aren’t in your household. Don’t shake hands, and definitely don’t hug. And this advice hasn’t become any less important, although recently the government has advised we can start to lessen the two metre gap we’ve been keeping.
Clean your hands
Washing your hands with soapy water will destroy the lipid envelope (basically a bubble of fat) which contains the virus. The virus will die pretty soon after. Thus, hand-washing is essential. If you can’t wash your hands, then use sanitiser whenever possible – especially if you’re touching surfaces. That means the buttons and supports on the bus or train, banisters on public escalators, and door handles.
Stay Outdoors
In June, we were finally allowed to meet in groups of up to six people provided that they were outdoors. There’s a reason why outdoors is safer than indoors – it gives all those airborne droplets coming from our mouths the chance to disperse safely.
Provided that we take all of these precautions, we should be able to limit the risk of spreading the virus and slowly all begin to return to a new normal.