COVID-19: is handwashing still important when you're self-isolating?

Even before strict measures were announced in the UK to reduce the spread of coronavirus, the NHS's message about handwashing was clear. It stressed that regularly washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds was central to preventing COVID-19 transmission. The British public rushed to supermarkets and pharmacies to stock up on hand sanitiser and soap, quickly leading to a national shortage of both.

The NHS campaign focused on washing your hands more often, but especially when leaving the house or arriving home; after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; and before eating or handling food. But in mid-March, social distancing measures were announced, followed by a nationwide lockdown a week later instructing the public to stay at home.

As long as you're following the rules, you're likely barely leaving your house at all. And if you're self-isolating because you or a member of your household has symptoms, you must stay at home entirely for 14 days. So is handwashing still as important if you're no longer coming into contact with people outside the household? The answer is a resounding yes.

"Certainly!" says GP Dr Adwoa Danso. "You must continue to wash your hands regularly particularly after touching surfaces, such as doorknobs, drawer handles and phones. We know that germs can linger on these surfaces for long periods of time, so regular handwashing is still necessary."

Protect your family

The UK is currently on lockdown because many of us will have been exposed to COVID-19. Some of us will be infectious and could pass it on to others. If someone in your household has the virus, shared areas such as the bathroom and kitchen could become breeding grounds for illness. It's important to clean and wipe down these shared areas as much as possible, but handwashing is still a crucial defence

"We're all trying our best to clean but it's an impossible task when there are so many people who are unwell. It's just as important to carry on washing your hands in isolation," says GP Dr Gero Baiarda from GPDQ.

If someone in the house is infectious, the virus could spread by somebody else touching the same surface. Regular handwashing reduces the risk of contracting the illness when you touch your nose, eyes or mouth. Though you should also try to avoid touching your face as much as possible.

And if you're using towels to dry your hands after you've washed them, dedicate one to each person in the house, keep them separate, and wash them daily, Baiarda suggests.

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Wash after delivery

If you're self-isolating, you're likely reliant on food deliveries - whether that's from a supermarket or a friendly neighbour. Although delivery drivers will try to minimise contact and usually leave the food parcel on your doorstep, there's still a risk of infection. If there are any external items (such as shopping, deliveries and post) entering your home, handwashing remains important.

"Even if someone's wearing gloves, they may not be changed between deliveries," says Baiarda. "So you could have the best lockdown and best isolation possible, and there's still an entry point for the virus to the house."

According to a recent study, the virus can live up to 24 hours on cardboard, as well as three days on hard surfaces such as metal or hard plastic. So you should handle the boxes appropriately, removing the outer packaging that may have come into contact with another person. If the package includes metal tins, you should wipe them down with detergent (washing up liquid in water works well). Then wash your hands as soon as you've put away the food brought to you from outside.

Be similarly vigilant after receiving post through the letterbox, says Baiarda. Wash your hands after handling the mail.

"It's a very small chance but that's a fairly innocent way that somebody might not even consider picking up the virus and passing it to themselves."

Keep going

Proper handwashing is still vital in the fight against coronavirus. And it has likely become a habit by now anyway. So don't give up the good work. Keep rinsing regularly. And make sure you take special care to give your hands a clean before you're going to cook or eat, after you use the bathroom and if you touch anything that's been delivered or posted through your door.

"Every time you wash your hands you will break the chain of infection. If in doubt, give them a wash! Do this for at least 20 seconds with warm, soapy water," says Baiarda