The government-funded campaign will include public health
advice on how people can protect themselves from infection.
Similar to the ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ campaign used for
flu and norovirus, it will promote important hygiene
practices, such as regularly washing hands and always
sneezing into a tissue, to stem the spread of viruses.
HM Government and NHS-branded information will appear in
radio and print media, as well as social media.
The campaign will advise the public to:
- always carry tissues and use them to catch coughs and
sneezes, and bin the tissue
- wash hands with soap and water, or use sanitiser gel, to
kill germs
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
Our highly trained and experienced clinicians are working
round the clock to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the
UK. The government has detailed plans for how to deal with
an outbreak like this. We can all play our part.
Basic hygiene such as washing our hands regularly and using
tissues when we cough and sneeze can play an important role
in minimising the spread of viruses like this. Today we
have launched a UK-wide public information campaign to help
the public protect themselves and each other.
Our world-class NHS is well prepared and we are doing
everything we can to protect the public.
Coronavirus public
information poster
People who have travelled back from the Hubei province in
China within the last 14 days are being asked to:
- stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you
would with the flu
- call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the
city
- if you are in Northern Ireland, call 0300 200 7885
Anyone who has travelled from anywhere else in China (not
including Macao or Hong Kong) to the UK in the last 14 days
and develops symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath
should immediately self-isolate, even if symptoms are minor,
and call NHS 111, or 0300 200 7885 if you are in Northern
Ireland.
The UK is extremely well prepared for any potential outbreak
of an infectious disease – we are one of the first countries
in the world to have developed a test for the new virus.
On Friday 31 January 2020, 2 patients in England, who are
members of the same family, tested positive for coronavirus.
They are receiving specialist NHS care and we are using tried
and tested infection control procedures to prevent further
spread of the virus.
The government is already working rapidly to identify any
contacts the patients had to prevent further spread, and are
in close contact with the World Health Organization and the
international community as the outbreak in China develops to
ensure the UK is ready for all eventualities.
Coronavirus presents with flu-like symptoms including a
fever, a cough or difficulty breathing. The current evidence
is that most cases appear to be mild. For further information
on coronavirus, visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
