Cleaning tips to help keep COVID-19 out of your home

Health Desk- 09 Jan 2021: Mundane household tasks have turned into a source of uncertainty and anxiety as families grapple with getting the basics done all while keeping their loved ones safe and healthy. Widespread misinformation about the virus puts everyone at risk and adds to the stress of having to filter fact from fiction. 

While research into the COVID-19 virus is ongoing, we know the virus is spread mainly when respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing, sneezing, talking, singing) get into the mouth, nose or eyes of people who are nearby.

We also now know that people can be infected, and spread the virus to others, even without having any symptoms. People may also become infected by touching their mouth, nose or eyes after touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. The virus may survive on surfaces for a few hours up to several days.

Simple hygiene measures can help protect your family’s health and everyone else's. Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces in your home regularly is an important precaution to lower the risk of infection.

It is currently unclear how long the COVID-19 virus can survive on fabric, but many items of clothing have plastic and metal elements on which it might live for a few hours to several days.

If you need to use laundry facilities outside of your home, take sensible precautions. If you don’t have access to laundry facilities, hand wash your clothes at home with soap or detergent and the warmest appropriate water.