Basic hygiene measures are crucial way to stop the spread of infections, including the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Fundamental hygiene measures include:
hand hygiene – that is, washing hands repeatedly with soap and water, or cleansing with hand sanitiser
staying at home in case you are sick
coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and then performing hand hygiene
cleaning surfaces regularly.
Using personal protective equipment (PPE), corresponding to face masks can reduce the spread of infection when used accurately and within the appropriate context. This may be really useful in workplaces the place people are more likely to are available in contact with the disease.
Use of face masks
For most people locally, PPE corresponding to face masks should not recommended. Nevertheless, for folks with symptoms of an acute respiratory an infection, the WHO recommends that there may be benefit in wearing a face masks to reduce the spread of an infection to other people.
Methods to appropriately wear and remove a face mask
In case you are unwell or have a job which requires you to be in close contact with individuals who could have coronavirus, it is suggested you utilize a face mask. It will be significant that face masks are worn and removed correctly. Masks should fit snugly and totally cover your nose and mouth.
How you can wear a masks:
wash fingers with soap and water or use hand sanitiser
place over nose, mouth and chin
fit flexible nose piece over nose bridge
secure on head with ties or elastic
adjust to fit – secure in your head, fitting snugly round your face with no gaps
avoid touching or adjusting your masks throughout use.
How you can remove a masks:
wash fingers with cleaning soap and water or use hand sanitiser
keep away from touching the entrance of the mask
if the masks has ties, untie the bottom, then high tie
remove from face
discard, don’t use once more
wash arms with cleaning soap and water or use hand sanitiser immediately.
Use of PPE within the workplace
Workplaces where people can maintain more than 2 metres contact distance from folks with potential COVID19 signs – Facemasks and gloves will not be recommended.
Examples of those workplaces embody – training services, pharmacies, retail outlets
People who, because of the nature of their job, could also be unable to maintain more than 2 metres contact distance from folks with potential COVID19 symptoms – facemasks and gloves are advisable when this contact is likely to occur.
Examples of these workplaces embrace – Police, jail employees, customs employees
These recommendations are a guide only and workplace settings not listed in the table should consider their ability to maintain the 2 metres rule and use the table to inform their use of PPE. Usually, surgical/medical masks stop the dispersal of droplets by an infected patient and the inhalation of droplets if within 2 metres of a coughing individual.
Hand hygiene and cough / sneeze etiquette (preserve distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues and wash arms) may have a bigger impact.