What can I do to protect myself and prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Protection measures for everyone.

Stay up to date with the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. (Ministry of Health of Ukraine) Cases of COVID-19 have been observed in many countries around the world, and outbreaks have occurred in several. Authorities in China and some other countries have managed to slow or stop their outbreaks. However, the situation is unpredictable, so check back regularly for the latest news.

You can reduce your risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:

• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based wipe.
• For what? Washing your hands with soap or using an alcohol-based hand rub will kill viruses that may be on your hands.
• Maintain at least 1m distance between you and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• For what? When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small droplets of fluid from their nose or mouth that may contain the virus. If you are too close, you may inhale droplets, including the COVID-19 virus, if the person coughing has a medical condition.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• For what? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once infected, your hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose, or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and make you sick.
• Make sure you and those around you practice good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then discard the used cloth immediately.
• For what? The droplets spread the virus. By practicing good respiratory hygiene, you protect those around you from viruses such as colds, flu and COVID-19.
• Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call ahead. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
• For what? National and local authorities have the latest information about the situation in your area. A preliminary call to the emergency dispatch center will help quickly direct you to the right medical facility. This will also protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.
• Stay informed about the latest COVID-19 hot spots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is widespread). If possible, avoid traveling to these areas, especially if you are elderly or have diabetes, heart or lung disease.
• For what? You are more likely to catch COVID-19 in one of these areas.
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Protective measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (in the last 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading

• Follow the directions above (Protective measures for everyone)
• Self-isolate by staying home if you start to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache, fever (37.3 C or higher) and a slight runny nose, until you get better. If you need to leave the house, for example to buy food, wear a mask so as not to infect other people.
• For what? Avoiding contact with others and going to health care facilities will allow those facilities to operate more efficiently and help protect you and others from possible exposure to COVID-19 and other viruses.
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, contact your doctor immediately as it may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious illness. Call ahead and tell your doctor about any recent travel or contact your fellow travelers.
• For what? A preliminary call to the doctor will allow him to quickly refer you to the right medical facility. This will also help prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

Official recommendations from WHO to protect and prevent the spread of COVID-19 (in English).