Good hygiene and hand washing

Good hygiene and washing your hands properly and often will help to stop the spread of coronavirus. Follow this advice as strictly as possible and encourage others to do this too.

Do

Wash your hands properly and often.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze.

Put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Don’t

Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Do not share objects that touch your mouth – for example, bottles, cups.

When you should wash your hands

You should wash your hands:

• after coughing or sneezing
• before and after eating
• before and after preparing food
• if you were in contact with someone who has a fever or respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing)
• before and after being on public transport, if you must use it
• before and after being in a crowd (especially an indoor crowd)
• when you arrive and leave buildings including your home or anyone else’s home
• if you have handled animals or animal waste
• before having a cigarette or vaping
• even if your hands are not visibly dirty
• after toilet use

Keep your hands in good condition. Moisturise them often. Any basic product that is not perfumed or coloured is OK.

Read advice on how to wash your hands properly.