There are no vaccines available for the covid-19 outbreak which is why preventive measures are extremely important to reduce the risk of your infection as well as your family members and the society.

World Health Organization, WHO has asked everyone to maintain certain guidelines in order to prevent and control the infection.

Wash your hands frequently

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Practice respiratory hygiene

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider

Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading

• Follow the guidance outlined above.
• Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, until you recover.

Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.

• If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers.

Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

Guidelines from IEDCR, Bangladesh include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid large gatherings and maintain social distancing
• Avoid close contact (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
• Practice respiratory hygiene by coughing and sneezing into your sleeve and not your hands.
• Avoid contact with sick animals/birds.
• Cook fish and meat properly before eating them
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, stay home from work, school and public areas, unless you're going to get medical care.
• Use a mask if you are sick.
• Avoid travelling outside of Bangladesh and in different cities of Bangladesh unless there is an emergency.
• Avoid taking public transportation if you're sick.

In case of a COVID-19 suspected patient

• Ask the patient to remain isolated at home
• In case of emergency, take them to the nearest hospital providing COVID-19 services
• The patient must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth
• Record the patients name, age, complete address and mobile number then contact one of the corona control rooms or hotline numbers of IEDCR.
• Corona control room: 01700-705737
• Hotline numbers: 01937-110011, 01937-000011, 01927-711784, 01927-711785