Wash your hands. Wash hands often and for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water. When washing your hands, lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails. If you do not have a watch to time 20 seconds, sing “Happy Birthday” twice. If you do not have access to soap and water, use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with hands that have not been washed properly.

Refrain from being in crowded areas and around people who are sick. Coronavirus is thought to spread person-to-person, so it is best to avoid crowded areas and close contact with people who are coughing or sneezing.

Practice good hygiene. If you have to cough or sneeze, either cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Encourage others to do the same. Be sure to dispose of tissues properly and immediately and wash your hands promptly with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer and rub until dry.

Be proactive about protecting yourself from germs. Just like with the cold or flu, take extra measures to protect yourself from other’s germs. Do so by avoiding contact such as shaking hands by waving or bowing instead. Also, regularly clean and disinfect surfaces such as door knobs, tables, phones, light switches and more on a daily basis.

Avoid non-essential travel. Do not travel unless necessary and educate yourself about travel restrictions that have been put into place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)or the World Health Organization (WHO).