'Safety first': Naomi Campbell dons hazmat suit to board flight due to coronavirus fears

As one of the world's most famous models, Naomi Campbell has taken plenty of fashion risks on the runways in years past, but she's certainly not taking any risks at 39,000 feet.

The British supermodel was pictured this week travelling across the US while wearing a full hazmat suit, goggles, plastic gloves and a face mask as Covid-19 continues to spread across the globe.

Campbell, 49, was flying from Los Angeles International Airport to New York City on Tuesday when she donned the protective gear in a bid to reduce her risk of contracting the coronavirus.

"Safety first," the model captioned a shot taken as she arrived at the airport in her protective overalls.

The World Health Organisation has, however, advised that people only need to wear a mask if they are taking care of a person with suspected coronavirus. The WHO has also voiced concern that masks, goggles and other protective equipment were running out due to “rising demand, hoarding and misuse”.

Campbell also posted a series of photographs to her Instagram account that showed her sporting the hazmat suit in the airport, along with trainers, gloves and her carry-on case.

"Safety first next level," she told her 8.5 million followers.

The model, who scored her first magazine cover back in 1986 and has since walked for the likes of Versace, Prada and Chanel, also promised a "full video coming on my YouTube soon".

Campbell, who launched an account on the video-sharing platform in 2018, has previously posted a guide to her in-flight hygiene routine.

The star was seen wiping down her seat and its surrounding areas with disinfectant wipes while wearing gloves. She also revealed she always wears a mask during flights as "no matter what plane you take, private or commercial, as the plane descends, people start coughing and sneezing".

"And the coughing and sneezing makes me … I just can’t. As much as I travel, I should get sick so much more with colds and stuff and I’m blessed that I don’t," she said in the video. "I really think that this helps me."

Campbell also brings her own seat cover that she drapes over her seat, and washes her hands after every flight.

"This is what I do on every plane that I get on," she said. "I do not care what people think of me it’s my health and it makes me feel better."

According to Dr Arun Arya, head of department and consultant in pulmonology at NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi, travellers should wear a mask on flights if they have long-term respiratory conditions or low immunity.

If you are healthy, wearing a mask is not necessary, but the best thing you can do to protect yourself from infection is washing your hands regularly.

Another way to reduce risk on a plane is to choose the safest seat. According to a study, the best option is a window seat.

Older and at-risk travellers should avoid travelling to any countries where coronavirus is a threat. Other travellers should avoid all but essential travel to countries where the virus is spreading rapidly.