Basic personal hygiene during COVID-19

The recommendations for basic personal hygiene apply to anyone regardless of occupation and apply to personal as well as professional aspects of daily life.

Assuring a high level of basic personal hygiene is the most effective way to minimize the risk of getting infected with COVID-19.

• Always recognize and follow all applicable general health and safety procedures, at work and during leisure time.

• Regularly and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water (minimum for 20 seconds) or clean hands with an alcohol-based (at least 60% alcohol or virucide) hand rub.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid handshaking.

• Follow good respiratory hygiene: covering mouth and nose with bent elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing.

• Avoid passing on or touching items or objects.

• After touching items or objects clean hands following hygiene standards and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Always maintain at least 1.5-metres distance between persons (except for persons belonging to the same household).