As we continue to strive to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a good portion of our population that still has to make the daily commute to and from home. Half of these people use public means of transport and the other half use their own private means. Regardless of the mode of transport you use, it is important that you protect yourself and the people around you. We have put together a few tips to help car owners, drivers and operators to protect themselves and others, thus helping flatten the COVID-19 infection curve.
1. Wash the steering wheel frequently with soap and water
When you are driving, your hands are constantly on the steering wheel. You may have come into contact with germs from a different surface and you end up transferring them onto the steering wheel. With those same dirty hands, you can touch your face and end up infecting yourself. To avoid this, take your time to clean the steering wheel with clean water and soap. Be careful not to get the water into parts of the car that can be damaged by water. Clean the steering wheel with an alcohol-based sterilising agent as an extra precaution.
2. Wash and sterilize your hands before and after you operate the car
It will beat logic to wash and sterilize the steering wheel when you haven’t washed and sanitize your hands. One of the best ways to protect yourself from contracting COVID-19 or to prevent it from spreading is to wash your hands with soap and water. The recommended amount of time to wash your hands is at least 20 seconds. Wash up to the elbows. Ensure that before and after you operate the car, you thoroughly wash the car.
3.Wipe the car handles before and after use
The doors handles are also among the most frequently touched parts of the car. Clean them frequently with soap and water to help lower the risk of infection. You can also use an alcohol-based sterilizing agent to wipe the handles before and after use.
4. Keep the windows rolled down to keep the car aerated
When you have passengers in the car, keep the car windows rolled down to have the car properly aerated. Keep the air conditioner off during this period.
5. Regularly have your car exterior cleaned
As this pandemic continues to unfold, you have to be very vigilant about constantly cleaning the exterior and underbelly of your car. As you commute every day, you have no idea how many people have touched your car while it is parked somewhere. To be safe, just have it cleaned frequently.
6. Regularly clean the interior of your car
If you carry passengers or even if you drive alone, it is advisable to pay close attention to cleaning the interior of your car. When you are a taxi driver, be extra careful considering the number of passengers from all walks of life that rotate within your car on a daily basis. Have your car’s interior washed often and thoroughly. In fact, if you have the time you can even clean the hidden corners and air vents with cotton buds as an extra precaution.
7. Fumigate your car
You can never be too sure when it comes to being cautious with your health and the health of the people around you. Once you have washed your car, fumigate it to kill disease-causing germs. In Kenya, Prestige Safe Limited offers fumigation services.
8. Have masks and gloves in the car
Wearing a mask and gloves may not feel comfortable especially in the heat. However, if you have a flu, cold, or you have passengers in your car constantly, it is advisable to have a mask and gloves on as extra precaution. This lowers your chances of contracting the virus. Do not reuse face masks and gloves and always dispose of them correctly as soon as you remove them. It beats logic to move the face mask to your chin or your forehead and then put it back on your nose again. You are simply transferring the germs to your nose and you risk contracting the virus.
Conclusion
The only way to help flatten the COVID-19 infection curve is to follow the precautionary measures that have been put in place by the World Health Organisation and the government. We hope that the tips we have shared will help you stay safe as we all strive to beat this pandemic.