With the fast spread of COVID-19 and the increasing number of active infections worldwide, health experts have advised people to practice social distancing to curtail the spread of the virus. This, amongst other safety measures like frequent washing of hands, can help protect you from COVID-19.
If you have coronavirus symptoms, ensure you self-isolate and contact your local authorities for further care.
Local and national restrictions
To avoid the spread of COVID-19, the government has put in place several restrictions on different activities within the country. The government advises people across England to stay at home as much as they can, except for essential purposes.
From the first week of December, the restrictions in certain areas will depend on the level of risk in the area, so ensure you check for your local restrictions on the official government website.
How to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Everyone needs to play apart to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and this will help limit your chances of getting yourself and others around you infected.
You may have the coronavirus without its symptoms, and in this situation, you can still spread the virus.
Here are things you should do to ensure your safety and that of others around you.
- Always have at least 2 metres distance between yourself and anyone you do not stay with.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser if you can’t get water to wash your hands.
- Always wash your hands as soon as you return home
- Always wash your hands using soap and clean water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
- Dispose of any used tissue properly and wash your hands immediately
- Always cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with your sleeve or a tissue
Try not to touch your face (mouth and nose) whenever your hands are dirty.
Covering your face
Always opt for a face covering whenever it is difficult to keep a reasonable distance from other people. When you are at the following places, ensure you wear a face mask.
- Shops
- Public transport
- Hospital for your appointment or to visit someone
However, people with breathing difficulties and children below three years should not wear face masks.
Your support bubble
People are allowed to have a group of persons who they can meet without worrying about social distancing. This group is your support bubble. For example, you can have specific persons or household to meet and interact without keeping the required social distance.
Taking care of your wellbeing and health
To ensure you remain healthy, try out the following.
- Consider taking about 10mg of vitamin D daily if you are always indoors. This should help you have healthy bones and muscles
- Eat healthy and balanced diets
- Exercise often
- If you smoke, consider quitting because smoking predisposes you to infections like COVID-19 and increases your chances of becoming very sick
Advice to get medical help
Whenever you need medical help, do not hesitate to seek for it, especially if you do not feel well or have a feeling that something is wrong.
Here are ways to seek medical help.
- If you need medical advice or experience symptoms of the coronavirus, you could contact your medical expert or the NHS online coronavirus service
- If you have a life-threatening emergency, contact 999 to get an ambulance
- If you need urgent medical help, you could contact your private GP, or call the NHS, or use their online service
If your medical expert advises you to seek care at a hospital, ensure you do so. Also, ensure you attend your regular appointments except your doctor tells you otherwise.
Get support and help
If you have a high risk of becoming severely ill from the coronavirus, you could seek help from any organisation’s volunteers to get essential things like medicines and food.
To know whether or not you have been infected with the coronavirus, ensure you book a private PCR test in London.
