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PREVENTIVE MEASURES

1. How can I avoid getting infected?

  • avoid contact with sick people, in particular those with a cough; 
  • avoid visiting markets and places where live or dead animals are handled; 
  • follow general rules governing hand hygiene and food hygiene; 
  • wash your hands with soap and water OR use an alcohol-based disinfectant solution before eating, after using the toilet and after any contact with animals; 
  • avoid contact with animals, their excretions or droppings. 
Wherever you travel, apply general rules governing hand and food hygiene. 

2. What should I do if I have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19?

Notify public health authorities in your area who will provide guidance on further steps to take. If you develop any symptoms, it is important that you call your healthcare provider for advice, mentioning that you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19.
More information is available in the guidance:


3. What are the rules for disinfection/hand washing?

Hand washing and disinfection is the key to preventing infection. You should wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, you can also use alcohol-based hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol. The virus enters your body via your eyes, nose and mouth, so avoid touching them with unwashed hands.

4. Are face masks effective in protecting against COVID-19?

Face masks help prevent further spread of infection from those who are sick to others around them. However, face masks do not seem to be as effective in protecting those who are not infected.

5. Is there a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2? How long will it take to develop a vaccine?

There are currently no vaccines against coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. This is why it is very important to prevent infection or contain further spread of an infection.
The development of vaccines takes time. Several pharmaceutical companies are working on vaccine candidates. It will, however, take months before any vaccine can be widely used as it needs to undergo extensive testing to determine its safety and efficacy.  

6. Am I protected against COVID-19 if I had the influenza vaccine this year?

Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 are two very different viruses and the seasonal influenza vaccine would not protect against disease caused by SARS-CoV-2  
However, as the European influenza season is still underway, the influenza vaccine is the best available protection against seasonal influenza and it is not too late to get vaccinated.

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