3 Ways To Stay Safe On Your Commute During Covid-19
Convenient public transportation is probably one of the reasons you chose to live in a Garden Communities apartment rental. But Covid-19 certainly made this once easy commute a bit more difficult to navigate. On public transportation you’re not only surrounded by many people in a confined space, but the constant changing of passengers also increases the number of people you come in contact with, as well as surfaces that have been touched. It isn’t feasible that every seat and handle gets disinfected at every stop or after each individual passenger leaves. But don’t worry! By following these tips, you take the best steps to stay healthy each and every day on your commute.
1. Practice Social Distancing
This one might seem like a no brainer, but it can be harder than you think to social distance when so many people are in such a limited space. But it can be done!
- Try to ride during non-peak hours.
Make arrangements with your employers to allow you to come in on a schedule different from the normal 9 to 5. Instead, try 8 to 4 or 10 to 6. Shifting your schedule an hour one way or another can help you to avoid the large crowds that happen naturally during rush hour.
- Pay attention to social distancing signs.
Public transportation stations, stops, busses and trains are likely to have signs about where to stand while waiting and which seats are available. Doing what they say will certainly help you stay healthy.
- Sit a row or two behind other passengers.
Since public transportation has a limit on how many people can ride at a time, there will likely be available seating. Choosing your seat wisely can help you to avoid infection
- If possible, exit through the rear doors.
There will be less people trying to get off the bus or train this way, which means you can avoid the jams of getting off at your destination that brings you dangerously close to others.
2. Try To Avoid Touching Surfaces
It’s not going to be easy, but avoiding touching surfaces on public transportation is the best thing you can do. This isn’t limited to handrails, restroom surfaces, elevator buttons, etc…It’s also the kiosks, touch screens and scanners at stations. Purchasing your tickets using your mobile device will save you from coming into contact with these surfaces. When buying your morning coffee at Penn Station try to pay with a card as often as possible to avoid touching money.
3. Have Good Hand Hygiene
As we just mentioned, it’s important not to touch surfaces, but it might not always be possible. Carrying personal hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol in its formula is key. In fact, having refillable travel-sized bottles on a keychain will make the germ-killing solution easily accessible so you can consistently use it throughout your commute.
Remember though, germs are nasty because they evolve. It’s important to switch up your germ-elimination methods for maximum cleanliness. The easiest way to do this is to wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with antibacterial soap once you get to your destination, and continue to do so throughout the day.
NOTE: Stay Up To Date On Your Commute Schedule
As the state of Covid-19 changes, so will the updates of your local transit. Schedules will change, limiting the times and adding more stops or less. The amount of tickets available will change. How many passengers are allowed on a bus or train at any given time will change as well. All of this is important to know so that you can plan accordingly. If you wait for a bus that isn’t coming you certainly won’t make that meeting, and if you don’t purchase your ticket for the train home in time, you just might be having a very late dinner.
You might be social distancing in your apartment community and on public transportation, but we are here to support you! Whether you’re looking to move out of the city to NJ for the space or the price, our communities are located near public transportation. This means that even during Covid-19 you can get the most out of life.
Looking for an apartment rental near public transportation to the city? Check out all of our rentals that have public transportation easily accessible from your apartment.