Staying Safe In The Sky

While many of us are staying put in Singapore for the time being, some of us need to fly overseas even as the COVID-19 crisis continues. If you’re planning any air travel this summer, here’s what you can do to make the trip safer.

- Amy Greenberg

Airplanes are notorious Petri dishes for all sorts of bacteria, with passengers confined in a limited space, explains DR MYTHILI PANDI, an Australian trained doctor at International Medical Clinic (IMC) Katong. “The air is pressurised and humidified to make it more comfortable for the passengers. This unfortunately provides the perfect medium for growth of viruses and bacteria as well.”

From seat belts, armrests and tray tables to touch screens, shared bathrooms and airport water fountains, there are plenty of germ-infested surfaces for travellers to come into contact with before and during a journey. In fact, a 2015 study found that seat-back trays are the filthiest part of the plane – even dirtier than the flush button in the bathroom (gross!), followed by the overhead air vent nozzles.