The fact that you drive your own car does not make you immune against contacting Corona Virus. For instance, one of the inevitable tasks for all motorists is the need to fill their vehicles with fuel.
Along with this will come many opportunities to potentially come into contact with the COVID-19 virus.
As warned by the managing director of SA-based MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, while one should avoid hysteria or paranoia, motorists, like all humans, should also take precautions to look after themselves, which is why, when refueling in a period like this, certain vital precautions needs to be kept in heart, when refuelling to minimise your exposure.
- First, do not forget to put your mask on as soon as you arrive and before you speak to the petrol attendant
- Second, always keep sanitizer in your car. Do you know why? Although NCDC in Nigeria requires petrol stations to have hand washing facilities and sanitizer, in case you have to pay with credit or debit card, which requires entering your pin and the station does not have sanitizer, use yours before entering your pin and repeat it afterwards.
- There are numerous stories on social media saying that sanitizers can set your car alight. Specific conditions, however, are required for this to happen, spontaneous combustion is not possible. Gel or liquid hand sanitisers need an external ignition source to catch alight. The heat of a car alone is not enough to cause a fire. So, it is safe to keep a hand sanitiser in your vehicle.
- If you need a bathroom break, try avoid using the facilities at a petrol station. There are many surfaces that could still be holding the virus and you would be safer waiting until home or using a sanitizer if you need to wash your hands.
- When you sanitize your car, do not forget to clean the area around your petrol cap both inside and out so that you protect both yourself and the next petrol attendant.
- If a petrol attendant touches anything else, for example under the bonnet, be sure to wipe that down as well.
“Following these few simple techniques,” advised Herbert, “can help keep you safe. It also shows consideration to the petrol attendants who assist a large amount of people throughout the day.”
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