‘Practice physical distancing’ or ‘quarantine yourself’.
These are pieces of advice that you probably hadn’t heard until recently. But now health officials are advising us to adhere to either, or both, to stop the spread of COVID-19. So what exactly are they, which should you be doing and how can you make sure you are doing them properly?
COVID-19 is continuing to spread and currently, there is no vaccine, or any treatment available. It is a virus that spreads mainly from person-to-person; when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the respiratory droplets produced either carry the virus directly to others who are nearby, or onto surfaces which other people will then touch with their hands, and the virus will enter the new host via their mouth or nose. Therefore, distancing yourself from others is the only way to slow the spread of the virus.
Simply put, this means avoiding people. We need to avoid crowds, not touch one another and if instructed, stay at home. Living like this may seem daunting at first, but it is extremely important. We need to think about the bigger picture. If done on a large scale, it is the most effective way to break the chain of transmission from person to person. A person with COVID-19 can spread the virus for at least five days before they start to show symptoms. By practicing physical distancing, you limit the number of people that an infected person comes into contact with and potentially passes the virus to.
So, what exactly are the differences between physical distancing and self-quarantine?
Physical distancingis something we have all been advised to do to slow the spread of the virus and means avoiding leaving your home unless absolutely necessary. If you have to go out, as per the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention guidelines, maintain a distance of at least 1.5 meters between yourself and others.
Self-quarantine means staying at home at all times, and not having contact with anyone. You will be told to self-quarantine if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been around someone who has the virus or who is showing symptoms.
| Physical distancing | Self-quarantine | |
|---|---|---|
| Who does it apply to? | Everyone, whether you have been exposed to the virus or not. | People who have been exposed to the virus, who think they may have been exposed, are showing symptoms, or who have tested positive for COVID-19. |
| How long for? | At the moment we are advised to practise physical distancing indefinitely | If you are in self-quarantine for any of the reasons listed above, you should do so for 14 days minimum. |
| Who can I interact with? | Those you live with only. | No direct contact with anyone. If you share a house with others, try and stay in your room. |
| How can I socialize? | Cancel any unnecessary engagements. Swap meetups for online communications or pick up the phone. | Don’t leave the house or have any face-to-face interactions. Arrange video calls to maintain social contact as much as you can. |
| Should I go to work? | If possible, you should always try and work from home. This isn’t always possible, but if you have to go to work, talk to your employer about ways to stay safe. | All work must be done from home. |
| Can I exercise? | Yes, go for a walk or a run. Exercise and fresh air are vital to keeping fit and healthy, but always maintain a distance from others. | Try and keep active at home by downloading fitness apps or streaming classes. |
| Can I go shopping? | Whenever possible, try and order groceries online. If you do have to go to the shops for essentials, try and go during quieter times and always maintain a distance from others. | No, have all your food and essentials delivered by drivers, friends or family, but don’t have any direct contact with them. |