Turn on the news at the moment nowadays and you’ll hear about Coronavirus. With a rapid spread from a handful of cases in central China a few weeks ago to a global outbreak today, there’s plenty of media coverage and a fair amount of worry worldwide.

It’s natural to be nervous about a health scare like this. If you’re planning a trip to Malaysia then you want to know you can still get on that plane without too much risk to your health. 

So we’ve put together a Coronavirus travel guide with some simple steps you can take to help yourself stay healthy,

But first, What is Coronavirus ?

Coronavirus was first discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province. “Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats, and bats,” according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

The World Health Organization announced on Feb. 12 the official name for the specific strain of coronavirus is Covid-19.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

It’s worth a mention that thus far, older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease are more at risk of developing a severe illness linked to Coronavirus than the general population

The symptoms of coronavirus are a lot like the flu. You’ll get a fever, cough and maybe some gastrointestinal distress. Complications of the virus could include pneumonia or kidney-related complications.

Coronavirus Travel Tips !

• Wash your hands frequently

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub eliminates the virus if it is on your hands. 

• Practice respiratory hygiene

When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Why? Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing prevent the spread of germs and viruses. If you sneeze or cough into your hands, you may contaminate objects or people that you touch.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces that can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself. 

• Stay healthy, travel safely to Malaysia

Coronavirus is worrying, of course, but hopefully, these tips will help you plan for a safe and healthy holiday. Keep yourself updated with the latest health advice from your government and the World Health Organization and take precautions where necessary. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!

• When Traveling on a Plane always drink a lot of water

– especially on longer flights. In-flight air has low humidity, and it dries out the mucous membranes in the nose, making them less protective against infections

Is Malaysia Safe to Travel?

Don’t worry! According to Tourism Malaysia, the country is prepared to handle the virus outbreak. It highlights that Malaysia is ranked third in Asia for the Most Prepared Country for a pandemic, after Thailand and South Korea in the Global Health Security Index 2019

There you go, your full guide and travel tips on Coronavirus. If you’d like to get the best experience out of your buck during your time here in Malaysia, we have many more personalised experiences for you to enjoy!