Are you wondering what the best safety precautions for the COVID-19 pandemic are? Click to learn how to stay safe during the pandemic.
As countries ease lockdown restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic, and some kind of normality begins to resume, we all must remember that the virus is still a potential risk.
Taking safety precautions is a necessity. This means socially-distancing and adhering to new guidelines about how to use public spaces such as shops, gyms, restaurants, and more.
Because it can take 14-days for symptoms of the virus to appear, it is possible to be carrying the virus without realizing it. For that reason, taking measures to keep other people safe is also very important.
Let’s explore how to stay safe from the coronavirus with these helpful virus tip ideas.
How Does COVID-19 Spread?
The virus spreads from person-to-person via respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets could end up in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. The virus can be easily passed without noticing.
It is essential to understand that the COVID-19 virus can be spread by people who are not yet showing any symptoms of the virus. This is because symptoms will not show for the first 14-days after you have caught COVID-19.
The Center for Disease Control reports that it is possible to catch the virus by touching a surface or an object that has the virus on it and then going on to touch their nose, mouth, eyes or face.
There is currently no vaccination for the COVID-19 virus. The best way to avoid contracting the virus is to minimize the contact that you get with other people.
What Safety Precautions Can You Take to Protect Yourself?
There are five key safety precautions that everyone should follow to avoid the spread of COVID-19. These are:
- Cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20-seconds
- Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces in your home and workplace
- Keep a distance of at least two meters (six feet) from other people
- Wear a face mask that covers both your mouth and nose when you’re around others
In addition to this, you should avoid contact with people who have the virus and those that have health problems which put them at greater risk if they were to catch it.
Avoiding Exposure to the Virus
One of the easiest ways to protect yourself from the virus is to avoid exposure. This means that you shouldn’t make unnecessary trips to places where there is likely to be a lot of people.
If you do need to go out, there are measures that you can take to protect yourself and others. These include wearing a face mask that covers both your mouth and your nose and keeping a two-meter distance from other people. If you need to get tested for the virus for any reason, you can avoid accidentally exposing others to the virus with Drip Hydration’s Covid-19 testing service at home. They come to your home to administer the test with results ready within 3 business days.
Protecting Yourself in Public Spaces
Many businesses and organizations will have their own policies in place on social distancing during the pandemic. When you enter a building, pay attention to the instructions that they provide. These are there for your safety and the safety of their employees.
The types of measures that you may find will include:
- Hand washing stations with sanitizer to encourage you to wash your hands before touching anything
- Restrictions on the number of people a building will allow inside to maintain safe social distancing
- A one-way system to aid social distancing
- Restrictions on items that you can touch or come into contact with
- Contactless card payments to avoid handling cash
- An expectation that all visitors wear face masks
If you need to travel, avoid using public transport as this will put you near other people. If you must use buses or trains, ensure you wear a face mask at all times and sit at least two meters away from other passengers.
Staying Safe While Eating Out
If you are eating out in a restaurant, check that the tables and chairs are at least two-meters apart and find out whether the restaurant either has disposable or digital menus.
Avoid using communal salad bars, buffets, and drinks dispensers as there is a greater chance of passing on the virus in these areas.
Using Salons During the Pandemic
If you’ve got an appointment at a hair, nail, or beauty salon, find out in advance what safety measures they have in place and what you’ll be expected to do to adhere to the rules.
Appointments at salons should be staggered to aid social distancing, and chairs should be sanitized between uses.
Using the Gym During COVID-19
Before using the gym, find out how many people are allowed in at any one time. The use of certain facilities will be restricted because they will be harder to sanitize after every use. Make sure that the facilities you require are available.
You should clean any gym equipment before and after using it. If possible, find out if there are any online classes that you can attend to help limit your visits.
Hygiene Tips to Stay Healthy During COVID-19
You should wash or sanitize your hands as often as possible. Ideally, you should do this before entering any premises and again once you leave.
Try to wash or sanitize your hands before you touch anything in a public space.
When washing your hands, use hot water and soap and thoroughly wash your hands for at least twenty seconds.
If you are using a hand sanitizer gel, look for one that is at least 60% alcohol as this will be strong enough to kill any germs.
When you are out in public, avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose, and eyes. This will help prevent picking up the virus.
If you cough or sneeze, always use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose. Try your best to do this as far away from other people as possible.
Staying Safe During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Following these safety precautions is essential for you and other people in the community. The restrictions surrounding COVID-19 will change as the risk increases or decreases. Pay attention to public service updates for any changes in restriction guidelines.
For more helpful health articles, please check out the rest of the site.
Well, I agree with you that employees who are going to report onsite must have themselves quarantined for fourteen days before going to the company. Thank you for sharing here as well that the virus could be obtained through dirty surfaces. Anyhow if this is the case, maybe it would be best to have the whole office disinfected too.