Social Distancing & Hygiene

Everyone can slow the spread of COVID-19 by washing their hands frequently, covering their coughs, putting tissues straight into a bin, avoiding touching their eyes, nose and mouth, cleaning regularly used objects and surfaces and ventilating their home or workspace.

Everyone must practise good hygiene to protect against infection and prevent the virus spreading.

When you practise good hygiene you:

• cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
• put used tissues straight into the bin
• wash your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
• use alcohol-based hand sanitisers
• avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces such as benchtops, desks and doorknobs
• clean and disinfect frequently used objects such as mobile phones, keys, wallets and work passes
• increase the amount of fresh air available by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

 Effective hand hygiene is vital

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, it is important to remember that effective hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against viruses and can help prevent the spread of illness.

Lead by example and encourage your children to:

• Wash their hands regularly with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitiser if soap is not available
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of their elbow
• Dispose of tissues in the bin immediately
• If they’re unwell, stay at home and avoid contact with others such as touching, kissing or hugging.

Check out the 20 second routine video for effective handwashing.

Social Distancing

One way to slow the spread of viruses, such as coronavirus, is social distancing (also called physical distancing).

The more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread.

Social distancing in public means people:

• stay at home and only go out if it is absolutely essential
• keep 1.5 metres away from others
• avoid physical greetings such as handshaking, hugs and kisses
• use tap and go instead of cash
• travel at quiet times and avoid crowds
• avoid public gatherings and at risk groups like older people
• practise good hygiene

All Australians are required to stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to go outside.

Australians are permitted to leave home for the essentials, such as:

• shopping for food
• exercising — in a public space such as a park, limited to no more than 2 people
• going out for medical appointments or to the pharmacy
• providing care or support to another person in a place other than your home
• going to work if you cannot work from home.

Steps for social distancing in all homes include:

• keeping visitors to a minimum
• regularly disinfecting surfaces that are touched a lot, such as tables, kitchen benches, hand rails and doorknobs
• increasing ventilation in the home by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning

If someone in your household is sick, you should:

• care for the sick person in a single room, if possible
• keep the number of carers to a minimum
• keep the door to the sick person’s room closed. If possible, keep a window open
• wear a surgical mask when you are in the same room as the sick person. The sick person should also wear a mask when other people are in the same room
• protect at-risk family members by keeping them away from the sick person. At-risk people include those aged over 65 years or people with a chronic illness. If possible, find them somewhere else to live while the family member is sick

For the latest updates on COVID-19 please check the Australian Government Department of Health website.