Advice for the public: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

This page includes advice from WHO on ways to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The downloadable infographics below provide guidance on general and specific topics related to the pandemic.

Stay aware of the latest COVID-19 information by regularly checking updates from WHO in addition to national and local public health authorities.

Find out more about getting vaccinated:

• Advice for the public: COVID-19 vaccines

Protect yourself and those around you:

• Get vaccinated as soon as it’s your turn and follow local guidance on vaccination.
• Keep physical distance of at least 1 metre from otherseven if they don’t appear to be sick. Avoid crowds and close contact.
• Wear a properly fitted mask when physical distancing is not possible and in poorly ventilated settings.
• Clean your hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of used tissues immediately and clean hands regularly. 
• If you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19self-isolate until you recover.

To properly wear your mask:

• Make sure your mask covers your nosemouth and chin.
• Clean your hands before you put your mask onbefore and after you take it offand after you touch it at any time.
• When you take off your maskstore it in a clean plastic bagand every day either wash it if it’s a fabric mask or dispose of it in a trash bin if it’s a medical mask.
• Don’t use masks with valves.

More about masks:

• When and how to wear masks
• Questions and answers about children and masks
• Guidance for decision makers and health workers

The risks of getting COVID-19 are higher in crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected people spend long periods of time together in close proximity.

Outbreaks have been reported in places where people have gatheroften in crowded indoor settings and where they talk loudlyshoutbreathe heavily or sing such as restaurantschoir practicesfitness classesnightclubsoffices and places of worship.

To make your environment as safe as possible:

• Avoid the 3Cs: spaces that are closedcrowded or involve close contact.
• Meet people outside. Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor onesparticularly if indoor spaces are small and without outdoor air coming in.
• If you can’t avoid crowded or indoor settingstake these precautions:
• Open a window to increase the amount of natural ventilation when indoors.
• Wear a mask (see above for more details).

More on:

• Small public gatherings
• Ventilation and air conditioning (for the general public)
• Ventilation and air conditioning (for people who manage public spaces and buildings) 

By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses that cause coldsflu and COVID-19. 

To ensure good hygiene you should:

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with either an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. This eliminates germs that may be on your handsincluding viruses.
• Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the used tissue immediately into a closed bin and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces frequentlyespecially those which are regularly touchedsuch as door handlesfaucets and phone screens.

If you feel unwellhere’s what to do. 

• If you have a fevercough and difficulty breathingseek medical attention immediately. Call by telephone first and follow the directions of your local health authority.
• Know the full range of symptoms of COVID-19. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are feverdry coughtiredness and loss of taste or smell. Less common symptoms include aches and painsheadachesore throatred or irritated eyesdiarrhoea a skin rash or discolouration of fingers or toes.
• Stay home and self-isolate for 10 days from symptom onsetplus three days after symptoms cease. Call your health care provider or hotline for advice. Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave your house or have someone near youwear a properly fitted mask to avoid infecting others.
• Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sourcessuch as WHO or your local and national health authorities. Local and national authorities and public health units are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

Updated 31 March 2020