As the situation evolves rapidly and new information becomes available, the best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, and how it spreads.
To reduce the risks of transmission, the following precautions need to be taken:
Maintaining good hygiene is important and it is important to clean your hands frequently with soap and water or with personal sanitizers
Wear a surgical mask when leaving the home. The mask should be changed every 8 hours (Once the mask is donned, it should not be touched with an unwashed hand)
Keep a safe distance (approximately 2 meters) from others and avoid gatherings and crowds such as places of worship, concert halls, public transportation and markets
Avoid touching your face. Your eyes, nose and mouth are key gateways for bacteria and viruses to enter your bodies. If you find that you have a habit of touching your face, wear a face mask which will make it harder to touch the nose and mouth.
Recognise the symptoms and if you have fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, call the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) 24-hour hotline immediately
If you have travelled internationally in the past 14 days, self isolate and quarantine yourself. If you are not placed in a quarantine centre, the next best option is stay home and monitor your health, tracking your temperature twice daily.
Although there is no evidence to suggest that any animals, including pets, livestock, or wildlife, might be a source of COVID-19 infection at this time, it is advisable to practise good hygiene and clean up after touching animals. As a general rule, the consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided