Wash your hands and maintain physical distancing

Protect yourself and others from COVID-19

You can do things to help avoid getting sick with COVID-19, like: 

• staying a safe distance from people 
• washing or sanitising your hands often 
• being up to date with vaccinations for your age and health status
• wearing a face mask if you can 
• staying at home if you are sick with symptoms like
  • fever 
  • cough 
  • sore throat 
  • runny nose 
  • finding it hard to breathe 
  • finding it hard to smell and taste things. 

If you have any of these, you should call your GP (doctor) or the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. 

The more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread.

Personal hygiene

• Avoid close contact with people who have cold or flu-like symptoms.
• Stay at home if you are unwell. Get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, or use your elbow, not your hands.

Wash your hands

• Wash your hands often. Use soap and water and wash for 20 seconds.
• When you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

Physical distancing

• Reduce close physical contact with people you don’t live with. Keep a distance of 1.5m between yourself and other people, where possible.
• Carry a clean face mask with you and wear it if you are unable to maintain 1.5m of physical distance from others.
• Avoid public places if they look overcrowded.

It's also important to take these steps when visiting people at higher risk of severe illness, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, pregnant women, or people with compromised immune systems.