Prepare and Prevent  

How can I reduce my risk of infection from COVID-19?

Good  hand hygiene provides significant protection from viral respiratory illnesses,  such as COVID-19.

People are encouraged to  take common prevention measures, including regular handwashing with soap and  warm water for at least 15 seconds. Make sure to dry your hands thoroughly. You  can also use an alcohol-based hand cleanser if your hands are not visibly  dirty. It is especially important to clean your hands:

• after coughing or sneezing
• when caring for a sick person
• before, during and after you prepare food
• before eating 
• after toilet use
• when hands are visibly dirty

You should also cover  your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or you can cough  or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw used tissues in the garbage and immediately  wash your hands, or use an alcohol-based hand cleanser.

Avoid close contact  (within two metres or six feet) with anyone showing symptoms of a respiratory  illness, such as coughing or sneezing. Children and adolescents should avoid  sharing food or drinks (e.g., sippy cups and water bottles), musical  instruments or other things that have been in a person’s mouth or hands.

Social Distancing

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, all Manitobans have a role to  play in slowing its spread and minimizing its impact on the health-care system  and in communities.

What is social distancing?

Social distancing is deliberately  increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. It is used  to reduce the spread of communicable diseases like COVID-19. Health officials  in Manitoba already recommend some kinds of social distancing, such as  self-isolation (keeping away from others) for people who are showing symptoms  of respiratory illness. Other examples include school closures, changes at  workplaces and the cancellation of public gatherings. In addition, public health officials are recommending the cancellation of gatherings of more than 50 people, consistent with the announcement made by the federal government.

Travellers

Manitobans are strongly advised to cancel or postpone any non-essential international travel. Self-isolation is recommended for the following individuals or groups for a 14-day period after departing the area they were visiting, or since their last known contact or exposure to someone that has been diagnosed with COVID-19:            

• all international travelers returning to Canada (including USA)               
• contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19                 
•  laboratory workers exposed during work             

If symptoms develop during the 14-day self-isolation or self-monitoring period, contact Health Links - Info Santé to determine if testing for COVID-19 should be considered. In cases where testing is not recommended, stay home (self-isolate) until well.

This information comes from Manitoba Health and more detailed information can be found on their WEBSITE