Tips on avoiding spread of Covid-19

Dr Oliver Morgan of the World Health Organisation (WHO) explains how the virus that causes the Covid-19 , spread from one person to another and how one can keep safe indoors and outdoors.

Dr Morgan: The Covid-19 spreads when respiratory aerosols or droplets that contain the virus are inhaled or get in contact with our nose, mouth or eyes.
This is why it’s important to avoid the three Cs: crowded places, close contact, and confined places which have poor air circulation.

What do we know about
transmission indoors and outdoors?
Dr Morgan: We recommend that when people meet, they try to do so outdoors wherever possible.
This is because we understand that the Covid-19 can be transmitted when people talk, laugh and even sing.
So, it is important that we maintain good air circulation or air flow, which includes meeting outdoors.
When we meet indoors, it can increase the risk of transmission if there is no good air circulation.
That is because we understand that the length of time that we are meeting inside can also be a risk of transmission. In particular, we’ve seen that people who are in the same household can transmit the virus because they are in close contact with each other for extended periods of time.

If people must meet indoors, how can we keep ourselves safe?
Dr Morgan: There are several things that we can do to keep ourselves safe when we meet indoors.
Open doors and windows if possible so that there is more air circulating in the room.
We can also wear masks as well. If possible, for us to maintain distance, one meter between each other.
We can also ensure that we wash our hands frequently in case we might pick up virus that’s on any surfaces.
Although not specific to meeting indoors, it is important that we get vaccinated when we do have that opportunity.

How do we keep ourselves safe outdoors?
Dr Morgan: In much of the same way that we take precautions inside, we can also take precautions outside.
These include many of the same precautions, for example, wearing masks, keeping distance between ourselves, at least one meter, and washing our hands frequently.