Most countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and many are experiencing ‎outbreaks. Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing their ‎outbreaks. However, the situation is unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news.‎

You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some ‎simple precautions:‎

• 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 at least 1 metre distance between yourself and others. Why? When someone ‎coughs, sneezes, or speaks 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 has the disease.‎
• Avoid going to crowded places. Why? Where people come together in crowds, you are ‎more likely to come into close contact with someone that has COVID-19 and it is more ‎difficult to maintain physical distance of 1 metre.‎
• 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 infect you.‎
• 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 and wash your hands. Why? Droplets spread ‎virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from ‎viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.‎
• Stay home and self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever, ‎until you recover. Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave your house, wear ‎a mask to avoid infecting others. Why? Avoiding contact with others will protect them from ‎possible COVID-19 and other viruses.‎
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention, but call by ‎telephone in advance if possible and 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.‎
• Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or your local ‎and national health authorities. Why? Local and national authorities are best placed to advise ‎on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.‎