CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)
ADVICE FOR THE PUBLIC
Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus
Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:
Wash
your hands frequently
Regularly
and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them
with
soap and water.
Why?
Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills
viruses
that
may be on your hands.
Maintain
social distancing
Maintain
at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing
or sneezing.
Why?
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.
Avoid
touching eyes, nose and mouth
Why?
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.
Why?
Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the
people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
If
you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay
home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing,
seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local
health authority.
Why?
National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the
situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider
to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you
and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
Stay
informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider
Stay
informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your
healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your
employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Why?
National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on
whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on
what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.
