During the outbreak of COVID-19, staying away from crowds is advisable. However, life doesn’t stop because there’s a new virus out there wreaking havoc. We still have to go to work and other places like the supermarket even if we’d rather stay at home.

So, what can you do to stay healthy and safe if you have to venture out into crowded spaces? We have a few tips.

First, a reminder: if you are over the age of 65, have a chronic illness or a respiratory disease, you really must try to avoid public spaces as much as possible. If you are feeling unwell, it’s best to stay home for the safety of others.

Now here are some ways to protect yourself in public during this COVID-19 outbreak.

Keep your distance

Viruses like COVID-19 hop from person to person through close contact. Avoid handshakes, hugging and kissing friends or relatives and don’t get close to the person in front of you in the supermarket line. If you must be out and about, do your best to stay at least three feet away from the people around you. Keeping this distance will help to reduce the risk that droplets released from a cough or sneeze will land on you.

Hands Down

When you try to avoid touching your face, you’ll realise how often you do it without thinking. On average, we touch our faces 20 to 30 times an hour. However, getting into a habit of not touching your face, mouth, eyes or nose is important to prevent the spread of disease. Viruses can potentially survive on hard surfaces such as door handles and elevator buttons for hours. You don’t want to touch these surfaces and then touch your vulnerable face.

Limit touching

As much as possible, try to avoid touching high contact surfaces in public spaces such as door handles, handrails, and supermarket trolley handles. You can use a tissue, paper towel, or even your sleeve to hold onto trolley handles and touch other surfaces when necessary. Use a tissue or paper towel to hold on to poles and handles on buses.

Keep sanitiser handy

It’s hard to practice social distancing when you’re on a crowded bus. Sit next to an empty seat if you’re able. You can use a tissue to hold onto poles or handles during your journey to minimise your contact with surfaces that harbour germs. Keep your hands away from your face and use hand sanitiser during your commute.

If you can’t find hand sanitiser in stores, you can whip some up yourself using rubbing alcohol and aloe vera gel. A simple recipe from The Nebraska Medical Center, home to a world-class biocontainment unit, calls for 2/3 rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup aloe gel. Combine the aloe gel and rubbing alcohol in a bowl and whisk to combine.

Be considerate

Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, ensuring that you completely cover your mouth and nose.

Maintaining good personal hygiene is the first line of defence against any virus. Wash your hands thoroughly when you get home from a public space and wipe down your devices with a sanitising agent.

We hope you stay happy and healthy.

If you’re trying to stay home as much as possible, this article on food and grocery delivery services will come in handy.

Sources: CNN, CDC, The Guardian, Telegraph, Harvard Health