How should you maintain social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at home with possible infection?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 20, 2026
How should you maintain social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at home with possible infection?
Spend as little time as possible in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat. Observe strict social distancing.
What are some social distancing methods to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Methods include quarantines; travel restrictions; and the closing of schools, workplaces, stadiums, theatres, or shopping centres. Individuals may apply social distancing methods by staying at home, limiting travel, avoiding crowded areas, using no-contact greetings, and physically distancing themselves from others.
What is social distancing?
Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).
What are some of the ways I can I protect myself from getting infected with COVID-19?
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 who is infected with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Face coverings can also protect the person wearing the face covering from becoming infected by some viruses.
Can I have close contact with people if I'm wearing a mask during COVID-19?
While wearing a mask, you should still keep physical distance from others as much as possible. Wearing a mask does not mean you can have close contact with people.
33 related questions foundCan the coronavirus disease spread through the air in rooms?
In poorly ventilated rooms the amount of virus in the air can build up, increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19, especially if there are lots of infected people in the room. The virus can also remain in the air after an infected person has left.
Is it safe to live in the same house as someone with COVID-19?
People who live in the same household as someone with COVID-19 are at the highest risk of becoming infected because they are most likely to have prolonged close contact. People who stayed overnight in the household of someone with COVID-19 while they were infectious are also at high risk.
Do I have to sanitise food packaging?
Food packaging If you have been shopping, there should be no need to sanitise the outer packaging of food. This is because food businesses are required to have a system for managing food safety in place, which should include keeping packaging clean. You should still follow good hygiene practice by washing your hands after handling any outer packaging.
How can I protect myself and others when using disinfectants?
Disinfectant solutions should always be prepared in well-ventilated areas. Wash your hands after using any disinfectant, including surface wipes. Keep lids tightly closed when not in use. Spills and accidents are more likely to happen when containers are open. Do not allow children to use disinfectant wipes. Keep cleaning fluids and disinfectants out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away disposable items like gloves and masks if they are used during cleaning. Do not clean and re-use.
Do not use disinfectant wipes to clean hands or as baby wipes.
What are the long lasting fruits and vegetables I should buy for COVID-19 quarantine?
WHO recommends consuming a minimum of 400 g (i.e. 5 portions) of fruits and vegetables per day. Citrus fruits like oranges, clementines and grapefruit are good options, as well as bananas and apples, which can also be cut into smaller pieces and frozen for later consumption or to add to smoothies.
Root vegetables such as carrots, turnips and beets, as well as vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower are relatively nonperishable. Garlic, ginger and onions are also great options to keep at home, as they can be used to add flavour to a variety of meals.
What is the difference between 1m and 2m social distancing?
There is evidence that the risk of transmission increases by 2-10 times at 1m compared to 2m and the potential for higher occupancy at 1m distancing will also increase risk if there are no mitigations. However, mitigations may reduce the level of risk at 1m so that it is broadly equivalent to being 2m apart.
What is the purpose of social and physical distancing as defined by the World Health Organization?
Social and physical distancing measures aim to slow the spread of disease by stopping chains of transmission of COVID-19 and preventing new ones from appearing.
These measures secure physical distance between people (of at least one metre), and reduce contact with contaminated surfaces, while encouraging and sustaining virtual social connection within families and communities.
How large does a meeting or event need to be in order to be a “mass gathering” during the COVID-19 pandemic?
High profile international sporting events such as the Olympics or World Cups as well as international religious events such as the Hajj count as mass gatherings.
What are public health and social measures (PHSMs)?
Public health and social measures (PHSMs) are measures or actions by individuals, institutions, communities, local and national governments and international bodies to slow or stop the spread of an infectious disease, such as COVID-19.
Can I get COVID-19 while swimming?
The COVID-19 virus does not transmit through water while swimming. However, the virus spreads between people when someone has close contact with an infected person.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Avoid crowds and maintain at least a 1-metre distance from others, even when you are swimming or at swimming areas. Wear a mask when you’re not in the water and you can’t stay distant. Clean your hands frequently, cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or bent elbow, and stay home if you’re unwell.
Can you get a COVID-19 vaccine if you are pregnant?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation ( JCVI ) has now advised that pregnant women are more at risk of severe COVID-19 disease. They are reminding pregnant women to have their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. They should not delay vaccination until after they have given birth.
What protective measures should I take while using disinfectants?
• The disinfectant and its concentration should be carefully selected to avoid damaging surfaces
and to avoid or minimize toxic effects on household members (or users of public spaces).
• Avoid combining disinfectants, such as bleach and ammonia, since mixtures can cause
respiratory irritation and release potentially fatal gases.
• Keep children, pets and other people away during the application of the product until it is dry and
there is no odour.
• Open windows and use fans to ventilate. Step away from odours if they become too strong.
• Disinfectant solutions should always be prepared in well-ventilated areas.
• Wash your hands after using any disinfectant, including surface wipes.
• Keep lids tightly closed when not in use. Spills and accidents are more likely to happen when
containers are open.
• Do not allow children to use disinfectant wipes. Keep cleaning fluids and disinfectants out of the
reach of children and pets.
Should I wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when cleaning surfaces?
When cleaning surfaces, it is not necessary to wear personal protective equipment ( PPE ) or clothing over and above what would usually be used.
What is the best household disinfectant for surfaces during COVID-19?
Regular household cleaning and disinfection products will effectively eliminate the virus from household surfaces. For cleaning and disinfecting households with suspected or confirmed COVID19, surface virucidal disinfectants, such as 0.05% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and products based on ethanol (at least 70%), should be used.
Should food packaging be washed clean during the coronavirus pandemic?
If you have been shopping, there should be no need to sanitise the outer packaging of food. This is because food businesses are required to have a system for managing food safety in place, which should include keeping packaging clean.
Can you get the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from packaging?
The risk of imported food and packaging from affected countries being contaminated with coronavirus is very unlikely. This is because the law requires the exporter to follow the right controls during the packing and shipping process to ensure good hygiene is met.
Can the coronavirus disease spread through food?
It is very unlikely that COVID-19 is transmitted through food. However, as a matter of good hygiene practice, anyone handling food should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before doing so. Crockery and eating utensils should not be shared. Clean frequently touched surfaces regularly.
How long do I have to wait for my booster after having COVID-19?
If you have a COVID-19 positive result, when can you have a booster? You will still need the booster but you should wait at least 4 weeks from your COVID-19 infection.
Can the coronavirus survive on surfaces?
It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems likely to behave like other coronaviruses. A recent review of the survival of human coronaviruses on surfaces found large variability, ranging from 2 hours to 9 days (11).
The survival time depends on a number of factors, including the type of surface, temperature, relative humidity and specific strain of the virus.
How long can the virus that causes COVID-19 survive on surfaces after being expelled from the body?
After being expelled from the body, coronaviruses can survive on surfaces for hours to days. If a person touches the dirty surface, they may deposit the virus at the eyes, nose, or mouth where it can enter the body and cause infection.