Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer or wash them with soap and water for 20-30 seconds after using the toilet, before and after eating or handling food, and before and after any prolonged contact with other individuals. Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizer kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing
Social distancing helps separate you from people who are ill and reduces the spread of illness
Maintain at least 1-2 metres distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Other important social distancing measures you can take:
- Do not share water bottles, food, towels, utensils, etc.
- Do not shake hands.
- Throw away used tissues and disposable items
- Frequently clean touched surfaces with household disinfectant and leave slightly wet. Allow to air dry for best disinfection.
- Respectfully, stay away from sick people.
- Avoid going to large public venues such as theatres or sporting events.
More information on recommended social distancing measures can be found on the Ministry of Health and Wellness Facebook page; Covid-19_Mohw
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.