Travel: Precautions to take in case of virus infection

Despite some side effects that some people have experienced, getting vaccinated remains one of the most effective preventive methods. That’s what put an end to our pandemic. It is therefore advisable to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Going into isolation is voluntary for everyone, but remains mandatory for all healthcare workers according to a well-defined protocol, which was relaxed in 2023.

For anyone returning to isolation, we recommend avoiding :

• use public transport
• going out in public
• welcome visitors to your home

If you can’t follow these measures, consider wearing a mask, distancing yourself physically, reinforcing hand hygiene rules and avoiding shaking hands with others.

People most at risk of complications from highly contagious viruses are..:

• immunocompromised people
• people with chronic diseases
• the elderly

• Wash your hands for 20 seconds, ideally with soap or a hydro-alcoholic solution, and as frequently as possible to kill any virus that may be present.
• Avoid putting your hands on your face (eyes, nose, mouth).
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than into the air, or into your hands, or into a tissue that will be thrown immediately into a trash can.
• Wear a mask only if you are ill and do not exacerbate the current shortage of personal protective equipment needed by health care professionals.
• Wash doorknobs, kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops, remote controls, keyboards, telephones and other appliances, and any other areas that may have been touched more frequently at home. Remember to clean the handles and steering wheel of your car.
• Taking a hot bath is a common misconception that won’t protect you from the virus!

• If you experience symptoms such as a cough or fever, call 1-877-644-4545 and the hospital will be notified. Hydrate regularly, gargle and clean your nose to clear your airways if necessary, and ask your pharmacist for advice on which behind-the-counter treatment would be right for you.
• Renew your prescriptions by phone as much as possible. Your pharmacist can offer you a delivery service so you don’t have to go anywhere, the delivery people have clear procedures to follow. Storing more could lead to a risk of stock-outs that could be dangerous for some patients!
• If your prescriptions have expired, call your pharmacist first to see if an extension might be allowed in your case rather than going to your doctor.
• Do not use antibiotics (which have no effect on viruses) or self-medicated anti-inflammatory drugs if you suspect a COVID-19 infection or other respiratory virosis, as this could lead to serious complications, unless recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.
• The Collège des médecins and the Ordre des pharmaciens have relaxed certain rules since March 16:
  • Pharmacists in Quebec can extend prescriptions for periods beyond those stipulated by law.
  • They can also prescribe drugs for minor conditions, provided there is a four-year interval between the doctor’s initial diagnosis and the pharmacist’s prescription.
  • Finally, the pharmacist is no longer obliged to communicate to a physician information concerning the extension, adjustment or substitution of a drug, unless a physician so requests.

• Pay with a credit card, contactless, as much as possible in order to limit the exchange of money from hand to hand.
• Shop online for groceries so you can have what you need at home. No reason to overstock.
• Make sure the elders you know have everything they need at home and call them regularly to check in on them, being more isolated.
• Limit family and business travel and gatherings as much as possible. Birthdays and other holidays will have to wait.
• Use disinfectant wipes to disinfect any potentially contaminated objects, surfaces or areas.
• Give preference to remote work
• Use telephone or video conferencing rather than outside appointments.
• Avoid handshakes or hugs and wave or nod.
• Avoid close contact with people other than your family, or keep at least 1 metre away from a person if they show flu-like symptoms (cough, fever or sneezing).
• In pharmacies, clinics and other practices, avoid touching magazines if they are present.

• If you become ill while traveling, consult a doctor according to your symptoms, and indicate which trips you have taken.
• In hotels, wash your hands after using an elevator, touching a handle, a counter or buffet cutlery.
• Try to put your hands on surfaces as little as possible and clean them beforehand with suitable antiseptic wipes if necessary.
• Avoid air-conditioned areas to avoid getting sick.
• Avoid crowds and crowded tourist areas.

Viruses can also be transmitted in hot, humid climates. Travelling south won’t protect you from contamination. If there are fewer apparent cases in countries around the Equator, it’s probably because there is less detection.

Young children can be made aware of health measures, and it’s best to start early to establish good habits. Children LOVE to put their hands everywhere, roll around on the floor, put everything in their mouths, pick up found objects, but when the games are over, it’s time to clean up or take a bath.

As parents, it’s your duty to explain to them why hygiene is important, especially as it’s often necessary to repeat it several times a day. And we’re their role models: show them the right habits to adopt.

Some ideas and recommendations :

• When you wash your hands, remember to ask them to come with you to wash theirs. If you have a baby or young child, clean their face regularly.
• Try to wash their hands before/after meals, outings and games in their room.
• Try to wash the most frequently used games regularly, as well as gloves and mittens.
• Make them aware of bacteria and viruses, with books to read on the subject, arts and crafts and colouring activities. There are lots of ideas on educatout.com.
• Why not print a child-friendly reminder to clean their hands to hang in the bathroom?
• Involve them in cleaning tasks in an appropriate manner. What kid has never wanted to hold a broom or a vacuum cleaner?
• Clean fruits and vegetables together and explain why.
• Make a game of it by asking them to walk around with their hands folded behind their backs.
• When traveling, we sometimes find certain surfaces so dirty that they horrify us, but our children don’t: if you’re outside, keep them busy with a banana to hold or a game to prevent them from touching these surfaces directly.

The COVID-19 virus has put some people’s minds at rest. Evil for good? This led us to rethink both our travel plans and how we booked trips.

In the future, many travellers will consider choosing a credit card with excellent insurance and will book directly on the airline’s website. How many travellers have been caught up in the back-and-forth between different intermediaries (online travel agencies/airlines), after shopping for their plane tickets on a discount flight site? Or others will now prefer to go through a travel agent to benefit from the coverage offered in Quebec.

In any case, prevention tastes much better. Take care of yourself and we wish you healthy travels!

We’re checking in on you in the Facebook group.

Let us reflect on this crisis and fight together so that we can get back to our pre-crisis routines quickly.