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Coronavirus Travel Tips for Digital Nomads, Local Hosts and Lifestyle Community

Coronavirus has spread around the globe, making it an issue for digital nomads, hosts and the global digital community. Here’s Coronavirus Travel Tips to stay safe while you’re traveling, hosting guests or engaging with community members.

NomadX Guests, Hosts & Lifestyle Community,

I’m Dave Williams, CEO and Co-Founder of NomadX. As Digital Nomads ourselves, we are all on a journey of self discovery and exploration — seeking to live life to the fullest. At this moment, we’d like for us all to slow down to read this important message to best understand the risk and preventative measures needed to minimize the impact of the coronavirus to you and our global community. So, please take the time to read this message in its entirety.

The following message is in response to the ongoing spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) throughout many countries throughout the world. In this post, I’d like to offer suggestions on how to be safe while traveling, hosting Guests and participating in our many community events.

As an organization, we value health, wellness and safety, so I’d like to take this opportunity to provide you with some valuable information to ensure we all remain happy and healthy along our travels. As remote workers, we see this as a good opportunity to slow down your travels, work from home and practice preventative hygienics.

The World Health Organization just declared coronavirus a global health pandemic. And, with that, there are a lot of fears surrounding the virus and its effects on health, business and society. That’s especially true when it comes to travel. Many governments are recommending people limit unnecessary travel at this time in an attempt to avoid coming into contact with coronavirus.

But, that can be tricky when you’re a Digital Nomad, and your life is travel. Here are coronavirus travel tips to keep in mind when you’re on the road:

Limit Hand-to-Hand Contact

Coronavirus is spread through respiratory droplets from infected people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Those droplets are mostly spread through the air by coughing or sneezing (and can then be breathed in), but you can also become infected through close contact, like touching or shaking hands, or by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes prior to hand washing. Instead of giving hand shakes or high fives, opt for a fist or elbow bump.

Try to Avoid Touching Commonly-used Surfaces

Bathroom door handles, elevator door buttons, and arm rests all qualify. Coronavirus can live on surfaces for several days and, if an infected person uses a surface before you and you put your unwashed hands in your mouth, nose, or eyes, you could also become infected.

If you can, use your forearm or hip instead, or place a paper towel between you and the surface when you use it. Afterward, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Use Disinfectant Wipes

It can be hard to find these on shelves but many stores and airports still offer them. Make good use of them to clean seats, armrests, and grocery carts when you can find them.

Steer Clear of People who Appear to be Ill

Coronavirus germs can spread as far as 1.83 meters or six feet away from an infected person. So, if someone around you seems to be ill (namely, they’re coughing and sneezing), do your best to keep your distance.

Consider Traveling with Disposable Gloves

There is no official government recommendation for this, but some health experts suggest using disposable latex or nitrile gloves when you need to touch common surfaces, like gas pumps or door knobs, among others.

Consider Wearing a Face Mask During Travel

The World Health Organization and other major health organizations say that, if you’re healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you’re taking care of a person who has coronavirus or a suspected case. However, you may want to wear one while traveling as an extra precaution.

Keep in mind that masks are only considered effective when they’re used in combination with frequent hand washing. And, if you wear a mask, make sure it’s an N95 mask against viruses. It’s still recommended that you avoid touching the mask while you wear it. To remove the mask, remove it from behind (don’t touch the front of it), throw it away immediately, and clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

If You’re a NomadX Host, Keep your Home as Clean as possible

Again, coronavirus can live on surfaces for several days, so you’ll want to do your best to disinfect commonly used surfaces like door knobs, toilets, and kitchen counters with household disinfectant spray. Given that you can unintentionally carry the germs that cause coronavirus with you, wash your hands with soap and water when you come home. It’s also perfectly OK to ask your Guests to wash their hands well as soon as they come into your home.

Place a hand sanitizer bottle at the entrance of your home and another one inside your pocket or purse. Also, place your N95 mask inside a ziploc bag and keep it in your bag as well.

If you have been to an affected area, been around people known to have the virus, feel sick or have an underlying health condition like diabetes or asthma, some health organizations are recommending you do your best to steer clear of engaging with community members.

The same is true if you’re in an area where an outbreak is occuring. Don’t shake hands or high-five people, steer clear of others who appear to be ill, and do your best to avoid touching commonly-used surfaces. You’ll also want to wash your hands often when you’re out and to do your best to avoid touching your face. Then, when you get home, wash your hands again and use your hand sanitizer.

Public health experts repeatedly stress that proper hand hygiene is key. So, do your best to wash your hands well and often — and stay safe out there.

At NomadX, your health and wellness is paramount. Please consider the information presented above as important to your wellbeing and to those within our communities.

Below is further information about the outbreak, the latest updates on preventive measures taken by the Portuguese government, some frequently asked questions we’ve received from our community members and a recipe on how to make your own hand sanitizer.

We’ll keep you up-to-date on what’s happening, through regular communication, and we encourage all our Digital Nomad friends & family to be cautious out there, but also be sure to maintain your unwavering spirit for self-discovery and exploration.

If you have any questions or concerns about your NomadX service at this time, we encourage you to reach out to Wandy Luz, Housing Operational Leader ([email protected]).

We are very concerned about this health scare and want to focus on the safety of our Guests, Hosts and Lifestyle Community members as our #1 priority.

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About the Coronavirus Outbreak

News and information about the coronavirus outbreak continues to evolve and change every day, however NomadX is doing everything in its power to provide Guests, Hosts and the Lifestyle Community with as much information as possible to ensure everyone stays safe and comfortable in all of the markets we operate in. We are actively monitoring this situation to keep you up-to-date.

Latest information about measures taken by Portuguese government

Cancel everything and stay home

Measures announced by the government in the early hours of Friday 13th include the hiring of new doctors and nurses, but without concerted efforts by the public to reduce their exposure to the virus, the recruitment drive will be meaningless.

As to the measures brought in to face up to this crisis, they fall into a number of brackets, principally ‘Labour and the Economy’, ‘Education and Public Services’ and ‘Health’.

Labour and the Economy

• All workers, whether self-employed or contracted, will be allowed time off to care for children under the age of 12. During the weeks that schools are closed, parents unable to go to work will be paid 66% of their normal base salaries/ earnings, 33% to be covered by employers and 33% to be paid by Social Security.
• Exceptional financial support will also be made available for the self-employed to the tune of ⅓ of their average earnings. The requirement to pay monthly ‘contributions’ has been deferred.
• A fund to support professional training — covering 50% of the wages of each worker up to the limit of the minimum national wage — is being created.
• 200 million euros in credit is being set up to support businesses, while micro-businesses in the tourist sector will be able to fall back on a 60 million credit line if they need to.
• In all, Ana Mendes Godinho, cited 2.3 billion euros will be set aside to support national businesses.

Addressing journalists in the early hours of the morning, economy minister Pedro Siza Vieira stressed the importance at this time of Portuguese people buying Portuguese produce, to help the national economy.

Education and Public Services

While older pupils have been given the message that these next two weeks ‘are not to be treated as holidays’, schools will be handing out work that can be done at home/ on children’s computers.

• Remote working will also be used more and more with regard to public services.
• Limits are to be set on the number of people being allowed into a State-run office at one time (to allow for safe distance between people) and expiry periods on documents during the State of Alert will also be ‘accepted’ without the imposition of fines.

Health

• Limits on staff overtime have been suspended
• Contracts for health professionals have been ‘simplified’
• The age-limit for doctors is to be suspended as retired professionals are re-hired.

NomadX is asking all Guests, Hosts and Lifestyle Community members to review their local authorities’ travel guidance and health advisories. We strongly urge the NomadX community to take necessary precautions to protect oneself when traveling, hosting and staying at any of the listings on our platform.

Frequently Asked Questions:

A NomadX Guest is coming from an impacted area to stay at my listing. What should I do?

If you’re concerned about hosting a Guest who’s arriving from an impacted area, it’s a good idea to message your Guest as early as possible to determine whether or not it is safe for them to travel. We encourage you to consider their safety and to be sensitive with your approach and ensure you don’t upset or discourage them from travel. Rather, be mindful to approach them from a place of safety and to inquire if they are feeling any symptoms (see list of symptoms).

Is NomadX collecting fees on canceled reservations?

No. When reservations are canceled, Guests and Hosts will follow the refund policy expressed within their mutual agreement as this will vary from host to host.

Will NomadX block a Host’s calendar if they choose to cancel a reservation from a Guest coming from an impacted area?

No. You can book new reservations during the dates of the previous booking, even if you’re the one who canceled the booking, as usual.

How can I help prevent the spread of viruses, like Coronavirus?

At NomadX, we encourage you to understand the appropriate cleaning methods used to protect you and those around you from coronavirus. Please read the ‘Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus’ provided by the World Health Organization. Regular handwashing and maintaining clean surfaces is a must (e.g. door knobs, light switches, etc.).

Pharmacies don’t have hand sanitizers available in-store, how can I make my own hand sanitizer?

To make a liter of hydroalcoholic gel, you need:

• 833 ml of alcohol (96% ethanol or 99.8% Isopropanol)
• 41.7 ml hydrogen peroxide (3% hydrogen peroxide)
• 14.5ml glycerin (glycerol 98%)
• Distilled water or boiled water to supplement

Once the mixture is ready, you must distribute it in several containers immediately and wait 72 hours before using it (this is the time for the potential bacteria present in the alcohol or the bottles to disappear)

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Read also: 7 Tips to Stay Healthy and Strengthen Your Immune System

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ABOUT NOMADX

NOMADX is a real estate technology platform developed to meet the needs of the rapidly growing global community of location-independent remote workers, or “Digital Nomads”.

As Digital Nomads ourselves, we know what the market is looking for: trusted, affordable accommodations in highly-attractive locations worldwide at 45% less than AirBNB. We also offer educational masterclasses to help master the lifestyle as well as community events to help foster new friendships.

Please join our community of Digital Nomads and remote workers from around the world:

Instagram: nomadx.experience

Facebook: NOMADX

Facebook Group: Support Community for Remote Workers

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