While the majority of people have been advised to work from home with the latest government restrictions, for a lot of people remote working simply isn’t an option. Although your pre-lockdown lifestyle may have regularly used the tube, one third of Londoners currently feel uneasy using public transport and may still have to during these latest lockdown rules.
If you’re still feeling a bit nervous about getting public transport, here’s a few ideas to not only help keep you safe but also your fellow passengers.
Please note: these tips should be followed in conjunction with the current government guidelines at the time of reading. Always wear a mask while on public transport or station, keep your distance from other passengers, and regularly sanitise or wash your hands. If you feel unsafe or too crowded whilst on public transport, do not board. If you show any symptoms of coronavirus, including high temperature, loss of taste or smell, or new, persistent cough, do not leave your home, self isolate for 7 days, and order a home test on the NHS website. Also, download the NHS track and trace app on the Apple Store or Google Play so you may be easily and anonymously contacted if you have come into contact with someone with Coronavirus.
Easy Peasy, Sanitiser Squeezy!
As well as regularly washing your hands, it’s important to always carry hand sanitizer with you to help you stay protected when you’re traveling and touching high touch areas, such as railings on the tube or bus.
Although hand sanitizer is incredibly useful, sometimes the bottles they come in are big, bulky, and hard to get out of your bag when you’re in a rush. Yet, with products such as these Refillable Plastic Bottles, you can easily fill up your sanitiser, pop one in your pocket, and you’re good to go! Plus, with the carabiner’s attached on the top, you can easily look one on your keys or belt loop for easy access to some sanitiser to make sure you’re staying safe.
Look, Don’t Touch!
Even though our commute is high touch and we have some sanitiser, sometimes you might not feel comfortable grabbing a rail on the tube or opening a door in the office. To help you feel more comfortable living everyday life, why not use a touchless tool.
Touchless tools, such as the iSoul Contactless Tool can help you to open doors, carry shopping bags, and use touch screens without physically having to touch anything. Made from antimicrobial metals, these tools can help you to live your daily lives while still keeping your distance from it.
Spray the Germs Away!
Sometimes, even if you have touchless devices to help you on your travels, you have to tap your Oyster and put it back in your bag. Others, you might just want to make sure any surface you’re touching on your commute is as sanitary as can be. Don’t worry and wear gloves — bring some sanitising wipes instead!
Sanitising wipes, such as Clinell’s Surface Disinfectant Wipes, can easily be stored in your bag and used whenever you feel necessary. Looking for something more sustainable and less bulky? Swap wipes for My Maskie’s Nano Mist Sanitizing Device. With an easy-to-fill tank for any water-soluble antibacterial of your choosing, to spray down your phone, keys, or even surfaces to help prevent any nasty germs from ruining your day.
Whatever the Weather, Bring an Umbrella!
As Britons, we know better than anyone — the weather here is incredibly unpredictable. While it’s always handy to keep an umbrella to hand just in case, it’s even more important now, as wet masks ‘become less effective.’ In order to stay best protected, make sure your mask stays dry at all times and carry an umbrella with you just in case.
Making sure you’re carrying an umbrella, such as this Mini Umbrella that’s the same size of an iPhone, you can help keep your face mask dry to and from the office to keep everyone safe.
Extra, Extra — Breathe All About It!
Sometimes accidents happen. Sure, you can be incredibly careful, but occasionally you’ll get caught in a downpour or accidentally leave your mask in a restaurant after a nice lunch with friends. Don’t get caught-out and have to walk home — carry spares with you!
Making sure they stay safe and not in contact with any of your other items, why not place your spare mask in a pouch, such as this reusable and washable one. Making sure your mask isn’t contaminated before it touches your face, a pouch can help to keep you and your fellow passengers as safe as possible.
Written by Alison Irlam
Alison is a writer with a keen interest in mental health and wellbeing. Since finishing a postgraduate degree in Creative Writing and having her own experiences with mental health, she has dedicated her time to helping and empowering others to make positive changes in their own lives.
