Gorki District Centre for Hygiene and Epidemiology

Due to the worsening of the epidemic situation in the world, and in order to ensure sanitary and epidemiological well-being, the Gorki District Centre for Hygiene and Epidemiology gives its recommendations on Social Distance during the recording of COVID-19 infection cases (coronavirus infection).

Social distance is a set of non-medical sanitary and epidemiological measures (actions) aimed at stopping or slowing the spread of an infectious disease.

The aim of social distance is to reduce possible contacts between infected and uninfected people in order to minimize the level of transmission of an infection.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Do not leave the house if there is no special need for it (travel to work, purchase of food and medicines, obtaining medical and other vital services);
2. Do not leave the house to visit places that are not vital (libraries, museums, cinemas, theatres and other public places). Children can only go out with the family. Walk your pets alone.
3. Avoid attending courses or clubs, sporting events, gyms, even with a minimum number of participants. In case you continue your sports classes, make sure that the group size does not exceed 5 people and during the classes the distance of 1.5-2 m between people is observed.
4. Communicate with other people using electronic means of communications. You should not visit or invite your friends and family members who do not live with you.
5. The following measures can be taken to reduce the need of leaving home:

• work remotly, using telecommunications;
• every employer must ensure that the distance between employees' workplaces is 1-1.5 metres minimum, and the rules of personal and environmental hygiene are maintained;
• choose delivery services - only to the doorsteps of your house or office;
• it is recommended that your visits to a dental clinic be postponed, except in urgent cases.

6. If it is necessary for you to leave the house (see p.1), you should reduce contacts with other people and keep the 1,5-2-meter distance from each other.
7. Elderly people, persons with chronic diseases of any age (diseases of respiratory organs, bronchial asthma, diseases of a cardiovascular system, the immune system, oncological diseases) should try not to leave the house at all, as far as possible. Do not accept anyone at home except for the need to obtain vital services. Ask family and friends to help you with your household needs.
8. In case of need for medical assistance, it is desirable to use on-line medical services, without visiting the polyclinic.

When symptoms of respiratory disease appear (increase of body temperature, cough, shortness of breath, a cold, etc.), it is necessary to isolate yourself at home, avoiding contacts with family members, call for a doctor (and if you were abroad within 14 days before the symptoms - call an ambulance).

         ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Avoid physical contacts, including handshakes and hugs;
• Do not open doors with your palm;
• Try not to touch your face;
• Wash your hands as often as possible;
• Air rooms as often as possible;
• Disinfect surfaces, especially door handles;
• Try not to smoke cigarettes, including electronic cigarettes, or hookah;
• Don 't use common cutlery, don't eat from one plate or hand over food you've tried or bitten to others;
• When at home, stick to healthy eating and physical activity.

RULES OF BEHAVIOUR OUTSIDE YOUR HOME:

Cases when you can leave the house:

• In need of urgent medical care;
• In need of visiting a workplace;
• To purchase essential goods if they cannot be delivered by courier or relatives (friends);
• For a walk alone. Use the elevator alone.

How to behave after leaving the house:

• In a car there should be one person or family members living in the same house. The exception is when you accompany a person in an emergency situation (giving a lift to a medical institution);
• Avoid public transport.
• Being in public places keep the distance of 1-1.5 m from other people.
• Stick to the rules of hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

How to behave at work:

• Mind the distance of 1-1.5 m between employees' workplaces;
• Wash hands as often as possible, use alcohol-containing antiseptic (gel, napkins);
• Try not to touch your nose and mouth, wash your hands before and after such touches;
• Use disposable paper handkerchieves, towels, wipes, if necessary.