Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to keep yourself safe. Wash often with soap for 20 seconds. Then dry your hands completely. This kills the virus by bursting its protective bubble.
You should wash your hands if you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
It is important to wash your hands:
• after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• after visiting a public space or touching surfaces outside of your home
• after handling your face covering
• before and after eating or preparing food
• after using the toilet, changing babies’ nappies or helping children use the toilet
• after handling rubbish
• after touching animals and pets
• when your hands are visibly dirty or feel dirty.
Hand Sanitiser
Using hand sanitiser is effective at killing germs and viruses when done correctly. It destroys the protective bubble of the virus, but only if the sanitiser has at least 60% alcohol. Sanitiser is also effective in reducing the number and type of germs.
Hand sanitiser is often more convenient when you are outside of your home but can be expensive or difficult to find in an emergency. Make sure you use a sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol and rub it into your hands for at least 20 seconds.