Right now, Covid-19 is an official pandemic according to the WHO. The government is encouraging people to practice shelter-in-place and social distancing. But, business keeps going, we have to keep earning a living, we have to keep going to work and many other public places.

That’s why we should know how to keep ourselves safe and healthy while going to public places in the pandemic.

I have here the important practices for health safety from top countries in Covid-19 control like Vietnam. When exposed to a crowd at work, supermarket or elsewhere, keep in mind the following notices to save yourselves and save other people around you.

*Disclaimer: We do not encourage people to go to public places for any reason at the moment. We are giving advice in case you are urgently required to go outside.

• Clean your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.

The scientific research shows that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can remain on the surface for hours. Keeping your hands clean is a simple measure that is very effective in preventing disease.

The thing is we must know how to wash our hands properly. Soap and hand sanitizer with more than 60% alcohol content are equally great. Those sanitizers with less than 60% of alcohol are not powerful enough to kill COVID-19 disease virus as recommended by the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control.

The necessary time to wash hands is after coughing, sneezing, after handling, grasping, contacting with dangerous items such as elevator buttons, door handles, grab handles, straps, …; after going to the toilet; after cleaning for children; before eating; before entering and after exiting the service area.

• Avoid touching your face, nose or mouth with your hands.

Our hands can contain thousands of bacteria and maybe the virus as well. Direct contact with the virus from the hands is the shortest way to get infected.

• Do not enter the public area if you have one of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortage of breath, fatigue or if you are in quarantine at home as required by the medical authorities.
• Always cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

A cloth or tissue is more preferable. But if it is not available, sneeze or cough on your elbow. Disposed of the used tissues in suitable places and wash your hands afterwards.

• Always use a face mask properly when going to public places.

Though the Western countries don’t urge their citizens to wear face masks in case of not showing signs of Covid-19, in Asian nations, this is a compulsory practice in public. And the Asian is handling the virus spread much better. So, it’s sensible to follow them. 

• Do not spit in public areas. Practice respiratory etiquette.
• Keep social distancing

The safe distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing is at least 1 metre (equal to 3 feet) distance.

• If you find yourself experiencing fever, cough, difficult breathing, or sore throat, immediately notify the person-in-charge for instructions and support.

Some more health safety practices for the office managers

• Disinfect surfaces with frequent contact such as the door handle, stair armrest, elevator push button at least twice a day.
• For floors, walls, furniture, room objects, sale booths, children’s playground, common toilets: disinfect at least once a day.

It is necessary for daily cleaning with proper detergents such as a multi-purpose cleaning liquid available or mixing an easy household cleaning fluid containing 0.05% active chlorine

• Arrange free dry hand sanitizer in the reception hall, entrance and waiting rooms.
• Arrange enough waste bins with lids, collect waste daily and send it to suitable places.
• Make sure there is enough clean water and soap (or hand wash solution), toilet paper at the toilet.
• Increase airflow in rooms, sales booths, play areas, etc. of service areas by opening doors and windows or other suitable means
• Restrict the use of air conditioners.