Speaking in Parliament last Monday, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said that based on what is known so far, “the virus is carried within droplets emitted from an infected person over a short distance, such as when the person coughs or sneezes”.
He added: “If these droplets come into contact with the eyes, nose or mouth of an individual, directly or indirectly through hands that have come into contact with these droplets, the individual may become infected.”
It is not certain yet, but the current belief is that the virus could remain infective on surfaces for two to three days.
Mr Gan said: “As such, medical professionals both overseas and in Singapore have advised that the most effective way that we can protect ourselves is to practise good personal hygiene.”
Since the coronavirus is now known to be transmissible through faeces, it is even more important to have good hand hygiene.
The World Health Organisation and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention are also telling people not to use face masks if they are not sick.
Instead, they advise people to wash their hands thoroughly and regularly throughout the day and to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
