Basic Protective Measures against the New Coronavirus

Basic Protective Measures against the New Coronavirus

1. Wash your hands frequently
Wash your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Why? Washing your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water kills the virus if it is on your hands.

2. Practice respiratory hygiene
When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue — discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
Why? Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing prevents the spread of germs and viruses. If you sneeze or cough into your hands, you may contaminate objects or people that you touch.

3. Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre distance between yourself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing and have a fever.
Why? When someone who is infected with a respiratory disease, like 2019-nCoV, coughs or sneezes they project small droplets containing the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the virus.

4. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Why? Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself.

5. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Tell your health care provider if you have traveled in an area where 2019-nCoV has been reported.
Why? Whenever you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing it's important to seek medical attention promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition.
Respiratory symptoms with fever can have a range of causes, and depending on your personal travel history and circumstances, 2019-nCoV could be one of them.

6. As a general precaution, practice general hygiene measures when visiting live animal markets, wet markets or animal product markets Ensure regular hand washing with soap and water after touching animals and animal products; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands; and avoid contact with sick animals or spoiled animal products.
Strictly avoid any contact with other animals in the market (e.g., rodents, birds, bats). Avoid contact with potentially contaminated animal waste or fluids on the soil or structures of shops and market facilities.