Basic Hygiene Guidelines during Self-Isolation

The outdoors aren’t such a safe place anymore and its proving difficult for a lot of people to cope. Some are not taking the gravity of the matter at hand seriously and are still moving around unnecessarily and unprotected. To stand a chance at defeating the coronavirus, we have to be united. We have to obey the rules and recommended hygiene practices. It’s all about teamwork. If you can’t observe these guidelines for you, at least do it for the people around you that you care about.

Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:

  • Wash your hands

Clean your hands regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. 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. When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the 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.

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 the 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.

  • Stay informed and follow the advice given by your healthcare provider

Follow the advice given by your healthcare provider, your international, national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. International 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.

The coronavirus is not a death sentence. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Do not take any risks. Your health is in your hands.