Research shows that when viruses are breathed out, particularly through coughing or sneezing, they can travel at least 2 metres/6 feet in the air.
The viruses can then:
Be breathed in whilst in the air.
Fall on to the surfaces around them, where they can be picked up by another person.
Viruses are also placed on surfaces when someone touches them with the virus on their hands.
What can I do to help?
Keep 6 feet/2 metres away from people outside of your household (e.g., when in the supermarket or on the school run). The more distance you can keep between you, the fewer viruses will be shared between you.
If you have visitors in your home, can you organise your room so that you have more space between seats?
Even small changes can make a big difference.
Coronavirus can stay in the air for up to 2 hours indoors after being breathed out. This means that the virus may stay in the air in your home even after a potentially infected person has left the room.
What can I do to help?
You may not be able to do all of these things, but trying at least one can lower the amount of virus shared in your home.
- Can you organise the shared areas of your home so that you have more space between seats?
- Is it possible for people who may be at higher risk of becoming ill to use shared areas of your home at different times, so that they are not coming into contact with anyone who may have been exposed to the virus?
- Try to encourage members of your household to keep 6 feet/2 metres from one another (or as far apart as possible). The more distance you can keep between you, the fewer viruses will be shared between you.