COVID-19 SELF-QUARANTINE HOW TO PREVENT THE SPREAD

The following guidelines were compiled to ensure safer home care to reduce the potential spread of the virus to other occupants or carers. The information is aimed at the following people: 

• People who may have been exposed to a positive case when travelling; working or living with someone who has the virus. 
• People who have tested positive for COVID-19, but their condition does not require
  hospitalisation and they can recover at home. 
• Patients who were hospitalised for initial treatment, but can now return home.

RECOMMENDATIONS

	Remain at home while having symptoms Do not go to school or work, avoid public areas, public transport and social activities
	Use a separate bedroom if possible or try to sleep alone in a bed Keep rooms well-ventilated or the windows open Use a separate bathroom if possible
	Limit the use of shared spaces, e.g. kitchen, lounge and bathroom If sharing a space cannot be avoided, follow all recommendations
	Wear a mask if: In close proximity or in the same room as others It is necessary to leave the house, e.g. doctor’s visit Alternatively: Maintain social distancing recommendations Cover your cough and perform hand hygiene
	Limit contact with people No visitors (only those living in the house) Where possible keep a safe distance from the older adult population and those with chronic illness If visits are necessary, try and maintain a distance of two meters from others where possible
	Use soap and water to wash hands thoroughly: After coughing, sneezing or handling tissues Before touching surfaces in any shared areas Before and after touching others in a shared environment After touching any shared surfaces, e.g. counters, furniture, the remote control or any other item, and before touching your face Alcohol hand rub: Alcohol-based hand rub can be used before and after touching items Only use alcohol-based hand rub that contain at least 60% alcohol Do not use alcohol-based hand rub when your hands are visibly soiled with dirt or body fluids, e.g. mucous after sneezing or coughing Optimise sanitation: Dry hands with a disposable paper
	Clean all surfaces regularly – at least daily Clean immediately if there has been splatter from any respiratory secretions Use a household detergent and water on a cloth to clean, which can be followed by wiping a mild bleach solution
	When in your own room, use a tissue to cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing Blow your nose on tissues Throw away all used tissues in a packet that can be thrown away and wash your hands directly after
	Wash crockery and cutlery used by the sick person separately using hot soapy water and allow it to dry thoroughly
	Do not share linen or towels Items can be washed and dried as normal
	Try to not have very close contact with your pet Have someone else feed and play with your pets (because this is still a new virus and not everything is known about passing it on)
	If you are feeling worse – seek medical help Wear a mask when travelling Notify the doctor or facility that you will be seeking medical assistance or call before attending – the reason for this is to limit exposure of others to the virus so that the infection can be contained Obtain a mask for your doctor’s visit and confirm your reason for visit
	When you feel well and no longer have any flu symptoms, such as coughing, runny nose and sneezing, visit your doctor for his/her confirmation before you start socialising again

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the name of the virus which causes the associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

ER24 COVID-19 Hotline: 0860 24 00 24