Well prepared: Fatin Nabiha tending to her daughters Nurfathia Insyirah, five, (far left) and Nur Faiha Irdina, five months while her husband Mohd Iskandar Othman, 34, feeds medicine to their son Muhammad Isma Fareeq, two, as they pack the necessities for travel. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
KEPALA BATAS: While expressing concerns over the rising Covid-19 cases, most parents would still proceed with their holiday plans by adopting the new norm.
Civil servant Fatin Nabiha Ab Malek, 30, said wherever they go these days, masking up and regular hand sanitisation are a must.
“It’s the new norm and I have instilled the habits among our family members by following the Covid-19 standard operating procedure during our travel.
“After the pandemic, I’ll always make sure we have enough face masks and hand sanitisers for my husband and three children during our vacation.
“There will also be medicines for babies in case they fall sick during the vacation.
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“We also avoid crowded places and try to maintain physical distancing as much as possible while in public,” she said when met at her house in Pinggiran Bertam Perdana here yesterday.
Human resource manager Azimah Abdul Aziz, 39, said she would bring her family to Turkiye during the next school holiday in February.
“Before the trip, I will ensure my family get jabs, especially Covid-19 and influenza.
“All my family members, except my seven-year-old daughter, are fully vaccinated with booster jabs.
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“Influenza jabs are important too, given the severe drawbacks that could arise from contracting the virus,” she said.
Malaysian Community Pharmacy Guild president Foon Hwei Foong said those who want to travel abroad for vacation should bring their kids to take influenza vaccinations.
She said common medicine such as antihistamine, paracetamol, cough mixture and lozenges for sore throat should be brought along too.
She said the most effective prevention of Covid-19 was wearing face masks and frequent sanitisation to avoid from being infected with the virus.
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She said parents could also provide their kids with supplements like vitamins and probiotics.
Malaysian Pharmaceutical Association council member Gina Koay said besides medication, parents should also equip themselves with Covid-19 test kits during their travel.
“There are many types of test kits now at pharmacies, such as those with saliva and nasal swab methods. There are also two-in-one test kits for both Covid-19 and influenza,” she said.
