One way to slow the spread of viruses is social distancing. The Australian Government has fact sheets with more information on social distancing.
There are practical things you can do, to protect those more susceptible to the virus.
Households
- Practice good hand and cough/sneeze hygiene
- Avoid handshaking and other physical greetings
- Regularly clean shared high-touch surfaces, such as tables, kitchen benches and doorknobs
- Increase the amount of fresh air by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning
- Buy more goods and services online so you limit visits to the shop
- Consider what travel and outings are necessary, both individual and family, and go to open places such as parks
Social distancing in the workplace
To reduce the spread of germs in the workplace:
- Stay at home if you are sick
- Consider if large gatherings can be rescheduled, staggered or cancelled
- Stop handshaking and other physical greetings
- Hold meetings via video conferencing or phone call
- Reconsider non-essential business travel
- Defer large face-to-face meetings
- Hold essential meetings outside in the open air if possible
- Promote good hand and cough/sneeze hygiene and provide hand sanitisers for all staff and workers
- Take lunch outside rather than in the lunch room
- Clean and disinfect shared high-touch surfaces regularly
- Consider opening windows and adjusting air conditioning for more fresh air
- Limit food handling and shared food in the workplace
- Promote strictest hygiene among food preparation (canteen) staff and their close contacts
Social distancing in schools
To reduce the spread of germs or viruses in schools:
- If your child is sick, do not send them to school (or childcare)
- Clean hands when entering school and at regular intervals
- Defer activities that lead to mixing between classes and years
- Avoid queuing, hand holding and assemblies
- Promote a regular hand washing schedule
- Clean and disinfect shared high-touch surfaces regularly
- Conduct lessons outdoors where possible
- Consider opening windows and adjusting conditioning for more fresh air
- Promote strictest hygiene among food preparation (canteen) staff and their close contacts
