Patient instructions General prevention measures

Patient instructions
General prevention measures
• Wash hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser and avoid touching the
eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people (i.e., maintain a distance of at least 1 metre [3 feet]), particularly
those who are sick.
• Stay at home if sick and isolate yourself from other people.
• Practice respiratory hygiene (i.e., cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, discard tissue
immediately in a closed bin, and wash hands).
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.[41] [42]
• [WHO: coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public]
Travel advice
• Consult local guidance for specific travel restriction recommendations in your country.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to advise against any travel or trade restrictions
to countries experiencing outbreaks (as of 27 February 2020). However, they do recommend that
international travellers who are sick should delay or avoid travel to affected areas, especially older
people or people with underlying health conditions or chronic diseases. Usual precautions (e.g.,
frequent hand hygiene, cough etiquette, keeping a distance of at least 1 metre [3 feet] from people
showing symptoms, food hygiene practices) are important for all travellers. [WHO: coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) travel advice]
• In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding all nonessential travel to China (this does not include Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan), South Korea, Italy,
and Iran as these areas have widespread sustained ongoing transmission. They also recommend
that older adults and those with chronic medical conditions should consider postponing nonessential travel to Japan. Entry of foreign nationals from China and Iran into the US has been
suspended. [CDC: coronavirus disease 2019 information for travel] The US Department of State
recommends avoiding all travel to China, and that people reconsider travel by cruise ship to, or
within, Asia.[91] [92]
• Some countries are temporarily restricting entry to foreign nationals who have been to affeted areas
in the preceding 14 days, or are enforcing 14-day quarantine periods where the person’s health
should be closely monitored (e.g., twice-daily temperature readings).