Reducing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections
There are steps everyone can take to help reduce the risk of catching or spreading respiratory infections, including coronavirus (COVID-19). Think about safer choices you can make to protect yourself and your household.
COVID-19 remains a risk
COVID-19 is still circulating within the community. It is still possible to catch and spread COVID-19, even if you are fully vaccinated.
Respiratory infections can spread easily between people.
It is important to be aware of symptoms so you can take action to reduce the risk of spreading your infection to other people.
The risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 or other respiratory infection is greatest when someone who is infected is physically close to, or sharing an enclosed and/ or poorly ventilated space with other people.
When someone with a respiratory infection breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes, they release tiny particles (droplets and aerosols) containing the virus.
The particles can come into contact with the eyes, nose or mouth or can be breathed in by another person.
The particles can also land on surfaces and be passed from person to person by touch.
The risk of catching or passing on respiratory infection is higher in crowded and enclosed spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious and limited fresh air.
There are simple things you can do to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections and protect those at highest risk.
This advice is even more important if you are at higher risk from COVID-19, or previously identified as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV)’.
Get vaccinated
Vaccines are the best defence against COVID-19 and other respiratory infections such as flu. They provide good protection against hospitalisation and death. They also reduce the risk of long-term symptoms.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
Meet outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces
Meeting outdoors vastly reduces the risk of airborne transmission, but this may not always be possible.
If you’re indoors, good ventilation is important.
Ventilation is letting fresh air into indoor spaces and removing stale air.
The more fresh air that moves through the room, the less likely a person is to inhale infectious particles.
You can let in fresh air by opening windows, doors and window vents.
Opening windows for just 10 minutes, or a small amount of time continuously where you can, makes a big difference. This is particularly important before, during and after meeting people you do not live with indoors.
Try not to meet people in rooms with no windows or windows that don’t open.
If you are going into a workplace, your employer should make sure it is safe for everyone to work in.
This may include control measures, such as avoiding certain activities or gatherings, restricting or reducing the duration of activities and allowing ventilation breaks during or between room usage.
If you’re travelling in a vehicle with people outside of your household, open the windows to let fresh air in.
Wear a face covering
Wearing a face covering or face mask can reduce the number of particles containing viruses that are released from the mouth and nose of someone (from coughs, sneezes and speaking) who is infected with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.
Although wearing a face covering is no longer a legal requirement, it is recommended that you wear a face covering:
- in indoor public places, including shops, hospitality venues and places of worship
- on school transport, public transport, coaches, taxis and tour buses
- when learning to or teaching someone to drive
- when taking or examining a driving test
Health and Social Care settings
It is strongly recommended that you wear a face covering when visiting any Health and Social Care setting and follow other guidance, such as social distancing and using hand-washing facilities, to keep patients, other service users and staff safe.
These settings include:
- hospitals
- GP surgeries
- dental practices
- pharmacies
- high street opticians
- care homes
If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, or have a positive COVID-19 test result and you need to leave your home, wearing a well-fitting face covering or a face mask can help reduce the spread to others.
Keep your distance
You should try and keep a safe distance between you and anyone outside of your household.
The closer you are to others, the higher the risk.
When out and about, you should stick to any measures that have been put in place to help manage queues and avoid congestion.
You can also lower the risks of transmission by reducing the number of people you come into close contact with. For example, avoid peak travel times on public transport, if possible.
Be considerate of those who wish to continue taking a more cautious approach to reduce close contact with others.
Limit close contact with other people
You may choose to limit the close contact you have with people you do not usually live with.
If you are planning an indoor gathering, you should keep rooms well-ventilated and maintain social distancing as much as possible.
Wash your hands regularly and cover coughs and sneezes
Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day.
Regular hand washing is an effective way to reduce your risk of catching illnesses, including COVID-19.
As the surfaces most likely to have the virus on them are those that are touched by lots of people, such as the trolley handle, the chip and pin machine, or the door handle, you should use hand sanitiser as you enter a building and after you have had contact with surfaces.
Where possible, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Staying safe at work
To reduce the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, employers and employees should consider the balance of office and flexible/ hybrid working arrangements that best meet both organisational and individual needs.
Working from home is a very effective way of reducing social contacts and breaking chains of transmission and employers may still wish to consider how remote or flexible working could be used effectively.
If you are going into a workplace, your employer should make sure it is safe for everyone to work in.
This may include introducing measures, such as:
- hygiene and sanitary measures
- avoiding certain activities or gatherings
- restricting or reducing the length of activities
- allowing ventilation breaks during or between room usage
Employers and employees should be aware of the key symptoms of respiratory infections including COVID-19.
Employees who have symptoms should follow the latest testing advice.
Shared spaces
Contact with shared surfaces that are touched often can increase the risk of infection.
Rooms used for activities and shared spaces, should be cleaned regularly, including door handles, tables, seats, handrails and toilets.
In indoor spaces, the amount of virus in the air can build up, increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. It is therefore important that shared spaces are well ventilated after people leave, by fully opening windows and doors to increase fresh air.
Care support
If you're receiving domiciliary care, or living in a nursing or residential care home, guidance for these settings is available from the Public Health Agency website:
Mental health support
If you are finding things difficult, there are a range of supports available which can help.
The Minding Your Head website has information to help you look after your own mental health and to support others.
Tailored information and self-help guides from local mental health and wellbeing charities are available at the COVID-19 Virtual Wellbeing Hub.
If you have concerns about your health or mental wellbeing, you should speak to your GP.
If you're in distress or despair, you can call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 where you can speak to a trained counsellor. This service is available 24/7 and is free from all NI landlines and mobiles.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has published a leaflet 'Take five steps to wellbeing’ which offers tips on supporting your mental and emotional wellbeing.