As the world tries to adapt to new ways of living due to the coronavirus pandemic, more ways to prevent people from contracting the virus keep emerging.
Britons were recently given official guidance on how to stay safe and avoid catching the coronavirus when they are out in public.
From wearing face masks on public transport and in some shops where social distancing is not possible continuing to wash your hands frequently, the guidelines are in place to prevent more infections.
The guidelines followed in Briton also recommend that people wash their clothes regularly and keep their home well ventilated.
Here are some of the updated guidelines:
The amount of time you spend next to a person counts
In the guideline the health chiefs say the risk of infection ‘increases the closer you are to another person’.
And they warn that the amount of time you spend in close contact with someone is another crucial risk factor.
For example, the government advice says: ‘You are very unlikely to be infected if you walk past another person in the street.’
Public Health England (PHE) recommends that people try to keep at least two metres away from others as a precaution.
The guidance reads: ‘The key thing is to not be too close to people for more than a short amount of time, as much as you can.’
Work from home if you can
The advice reads: ‘Your employer should support you to find reasonable adjustments to work from home. However, not all jobs can be done from home.’
And it says that people can travel to work, if their workplace is open and it is simply not possible to do their job from home.
Avoid being face-to.face with people outside your household
The guidance says people are more at risk of catching the virus if they are within two metres of someone and have face-to-face contact with them.
This is because respiratory droplets carrying the virus can be released by an infected patient whenever they talk or cough, scientists say.
Instead of talking face-to-face with others, the advice says you should stand side-to-side – such as when you walk with someone.
Avoid crowds
You can lower the risks of catching or spreading the virus by reducing the number of people you come into close contact with, the guidance says.
This is possible by avoiding rush-hour on public transport, such as before 9am in the morning and at around 5pm each evening.
Officials also say businesses should take reasonable steps to avoid staff gathering in crowds at work.
Firms can do this, the advice says, by allowing the use of ‘more entrances and exits and staggering entry and exit where possible’.
Walk or cycle where possible
For Britons who have to travel, they are recommended to walk or cycle – as opposed to relying on public transport.
The advice reads: ‘If you have to use public transport, you should try and avoid peak times.
Wash clothes frequently
The guidance also suggests that people wash their clothes frequently.
Studies have shown the virus can survive on fabrics for several days – but often dies after a few hours.
It means people can pick up the killer virus from their clothes and infect themselves, if they touch their face.
Keep your home and office well ventilated
Buildings should be well ventilated to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus, the advice also says.
It reads: ‘Evidence suggests the virus is less likely to be passed on in well-ventilated buildings and outdoors.
‘In good weather, try to leave windows and doors open in places where people from different households come into contact – or move activity outdoors if you can.
‘Use external extractor fans to keep spaces well ventilated and make sure ventilation systems are set to maximise the fresh air flow rate.’
The advice also states that heating and cooling systems can be used at their normal temperature settings.
Always wear face coverings in an enclosed space
The new guidance says that the advice is most relevant for ‘short periods indoors in crowded areas, for example on public transport or in some shops’.
It adds: ‘The evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are infected but have not developed symptoms.
‘If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you and your household should isolate at home: wearing a face covering does not change this.
‘A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used as part of personal protective equipment by healthcare and other workers.’
Officials said supplies of masks ‘should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace’, such as NHS workers.
Face coverings should also not be used by children under the age of two, according to the guidance.
It adds: ‘It is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off.
‘You can make face coverings at home; the key thing is it should cover your mouth and nose.’