.cls-1{fill:#0093d5;}World Health Organization Home/ Diseases/ Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)/ Advice for the public Advice for the public: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Section navigation This content is last updated on 1 October 2021. All COVID-19 Q&As Mythbusters Small public gatherings and COVID-19 Masks Transmission Advocacy Getting vaccinated How to report misinformation Vaccines explained series This page includes advice from WHO on ways to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The downloadable infographics below provide guidance on general and specific topics related to the pandemic. Stay aware of the latest COVID-19 information by regularly checking updates from WHO in addition to national and local public health authorities. Find out more about getting vaccinated: Advice for the public: COVID-19 vaccines Keep yourself and others safe: Do it all! Protect yourself and those around you: Get vaccinated as soon as it’s your turn and follow local guidance on vaccination. Keep physical distance of at least 1 metre from others, even if they don’t appear to be sick. Avoid crowds and close contact. Wear a properly fitted mask when physical distancing is not possible and in poorly ventilated settings. Clean your hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of used tissues immediately and clean hands regularly. If you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, self-isolate until you recover. Wear a mask properly To properly wear your mask: Make sure your mask covers your nose, mouth and chin. Clean your hands before you put your mask on, before and after you take it off, and after you touch it at any time. When you take off your mask, store it in a clean plastic bag, and every day either wash it if it’s a fabric mask or dispose of it in a trash bin if it’s a medical mask. Don’t use masks with valves. More about masks: When and how to wear masks Questions and answers about children and masks Guidance for decision makers and health workers Make your environment safer The risks of getting COVID-19 are higher in crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected people spend long periods of time together in close proximity. Outbreaks have been reported in places where people have gather, often in crowded indoor settings and where they talk loudly, shout, breathe heavily or sing such as restaurants, choir practices, fitness classes, nightclubs, offices and places of worship. To make your environment as safe as possible: Avoid the 3Cs: spaces that are closed, crowded or involve close contact. Meet people outside. Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor ones, particularly if indoor spaces are small and without outdoor air coming in. If you can’t avoid crowded or indoor settings, take these precautions: Open a window to increase the amount of natural ventilation when indoors. Wear a mask (see above for more details). More on: Small public gatherings Ventilation and air conditioning (for the general public) Ventilation and air conditioning (for people who manage public spaces and buildings) Keep good hygiene By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses that cause colds, flu and COVID-19. To ensure good hygiene you should: Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with either an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. This eliminates germs that may be on your hands, including viruses. Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the used tissue immediately into a closed bin and wash your hands. Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently, especially those which are regularly touched, such as door handles, faucets and phone screens. What to do if you feel unwell If you feel unwell, here’s what to do. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately. Call by telephone first and follow the directions of your local health authority. Know the full range of symptoms of COVID-19. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, tiredness and loss of taste or smell. Less common symptoms include aches and pains, headache, sore throat, red or irritated eyes, diarrhoea, a skin rash or discolouration of fingers or toes. Stay home and self-isolate for 10 days from symptom onset, plus three days after symptoms cease. Call your health care provider or hotline for advice. Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave your house or have someone near you, wear a properly fitted mask to avoid infecting others. Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or your local and national health authorities. Local and national authorities and public health units are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves. How COVID-19 infects people and how our bodies react. Infographic Be a champion in the fight against COVID-19 Infographic We're all on the same team in bringing an end to the spread of COVID-19 Infographic Cheering for your favorite athletes, players and teams? keep your mask on! Infographic 3 Factors to help you make safer choices Infographic If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 Infographic Shopping for groceries: COVID-19 Infographic What to do if someone is sick in you household Infographic Visiting family in a long-term care facility Infographic Don't put off necessary medical appointments Infographic How to prepare in case someone gets sick in your household Infographic I just found out I have COVID-19 Q&A Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Home care for health workers and administrators How to visit healthcare facilities safely Infographic COVID-19: When going to any health care facility COVID-19 symptoms and flu Infographic COVID-19: Coronavirus Symptoms Infographic COVID-19 & Flu: Are you caring for children under the age of 5? Infographic COVID-19 & Flu: Are you a health worker? Infographic COVID-19 & Flu: Do you live in an area with other infectious diseases? Infographic COVID-19 & Flu: Are you pregnant? Infographic COVID-19 & Flu: Are you 60 or older? Infographic COVID-19 & Flu: Do you have chronic health conditions? Protect yourself and others from getting sick Infographic Wash your hands Infographic Protect yourself and others - wash your hands Infographic Protect others from getting sick Infographic How to protect yourself from COVID-19 Infographic Alcohol-based handrub: WHO essential medicine Infographic The amount of alcohol-based sanitizer you use matters Infographic It is safer to frequently clean your hands and not wear gloves Infographic The amount of alcohol-based sanitizer you use matters Infographic Alcohol-based sanitizers can be used in religions where alcohol is prohibited Infographic It is safer to frequently clean your hands and not wear gloves Infographic Alcohol-based sanitizers are safe for everyone to use Ask WHO Infographic COVID-19: Should I avoid handshaking? Infographic COVID-19: Wearing rubber gloves? Infographic How can I grocery shop safely in the time of COVID-19? Infographic How should I wash fruit and vegetable in the tie of COVID-19? Infographic Can COVID-19 be spread through coins and backnotes? Infographic COVID-19: How should I do laundry? Infographic COVID-19: How should I do laundry for someone with COVID-19? Be ready Infographic COVID-19: Be smart - 1 Infographic COVID-19: Be smart - 2 Infographic COVID-19: Be smart - 3 Infographic COVID-19: Be smart - 4 Infographic COVID-19: Be smart - 5 Infographic COVID-19: Be smart - 6 Infographic COVID-19: Be smart - 7 Infographic COVID-19: Be smart - 8 Infographic COVID-19: Be smart - 9 Home care Infographic Homecare for people with COVID-19: ill people Infographic Homecare for people with COVID-19: Members of the household Infographic Homecare for people with COVID-19: Caregivers Infographic Homecare for people with COVID-19: ill people - square Infographic Home care for COVID-19: Guide for family and caregivers Infographic Homecare for people with COVID-19: Members of the household - square Infographic Homecare for people with COVID-19: Caregivers - square Pregnancy & breastfeeding Updated 31 March 2020 Infographic I'm pregnant. How can I protect myself from COVID-19? Infographic Before, during and after childbirth, all women have the right to high quality hair Infographic A safe and positive childbirth, whether or not they have COVID-19 Infographic A woman with COVID-19 shoud be supported to breastfeed safely Infographic Women with COVID-19 can breastfeed safely Infographic If a women is too sick with COVID-19 to breastfeed How to cope with stress Infographic Coping with stress during COVID-19 outbreak Infographic Helping children cope with stress during COVID-19 outbreak #HealthyAtHome Staying physically active Healthy diet Healthy parenting Quitting tobacco Mental health Regions Africa Americas Eastern Mediterranean Europe South-East Asia Western Pacific Policies Cyber security Ethics Permissions and licensing Terms of use About us Careers Library Procurement Publications Frequently asked questions Contact us Subscribe to our newsletters Privacy Legal Notice © 2021 WHO