Tips to Avoid Coronavirus Transmission

Korea remains at a crossroads when it comes to containing the coronavirus epidemic. That means people must go about their daily routines on the assumption that they may come into contact with potential carriers.

Personal hygiene is vital, but crowded places should also be avoided. Since the virus is transmitted even through tiny droplets, it is important to wash your hands frequently and wear face masks to lower the risk of infection.

Using alcohol-based hand sanitizers or handwipes is a good option, since it is not always possible to wash your hands with warm water and soap.

Some danger may come from surfaces carriers have touched such as straps on buses and subways, door latches of taxis, door knobs of buildings, elevator buttons and bathroom handles. Credit cards, car keys and pens pose similar risks.

You could also contract the virus by inadvertently touching your nose, mouth and eyes after coming into contact with infected surfaces, so avoid touching your face without washing your hands. Make sure to wash thoroughly under your nails.

You should wear face masks especially if you have a fever or cough, both to prevent inhaling droplets of spittle from carriers and avoid spreading the disease yourself. This means they should always be worn on public transportation.

Coronavirus is not currently thought to be airborne, so if you are standing 1-2 m from others you should be relatively safe unless they have a particularly moist way of enunciating. You also do not have to wear face masks in offices without potential carriers. But homes and offices should be frequently ventilated.

No face masks are needed when going for walks in parks or fairly empty streets.