Combating coronavirus: How to keep family safe while travelling together in car

As families welcomed the UAE's recent relaxation in the three-passenger limit per vehicle, doctors in the country offered advice on how to keep safe while undertaking such car trips.
The primary recommendation remains to avoid stepping out of the house as much as possible, except in unavoidable circumstances. But if a family must travel, there are several precautions they can take.
Dr Gelan Sadek, Specialist Family Medicine, Medcare Medical Centre, Mirdif Uptown, said families should ensure that all members are wearing the mandatory masks and gloves for protection when stepping out.
"If one needs to stop over at a petrol station, take preventive measures such as using credit or debit cards to make payments, as these are mostly contactless transactions. Avoid paying by cash to minimise contact," she said.
Dr Pradeep Kumar, GP - Emergency Medicine at Aster Hospital, Qusais, said sanitising your car well before taking the family in it is paramount - especially for those who use the same car to travel to work or other places.
"When you travel to various places, you may come into contact with contaminated surfaces, which you then bring back inside your car," he explained.
Disinfecting high-touch areas in your car, such as door handles, steering wheel, seatbelts, knobs and levers, and the gearbox would, therefore, help limit the spread of any infection.
Plan your trip in such a way that you avoid layovers or stops at all costs, he added.
"Ensure there is enough fuel for your journey so that you don't need to stop at petrol stations along the way. Likewise, parents should ensure they have enough water or eatables on hand for children, so they won't need to stop for purchases."
Dr Pradeep also recommended that kids stay in the car at all times. "When the car stops at signals or in traffic, ensure windows remain closed so there is no risk of contamination by anyone sneezing or coughing in nearby vehicles.
"It is good practice to sanitise any item that comes into or leaves the vehicle, such as credit or debit cards, purchases etc," he added.
Family members who are exhibiting symptoms of cough or fever must avoid travelling altogether for the safety and wellness of the public.
karen@khaleejtimes.com