Washing hands for 20 seconds in hot water is central to preventing and slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

It is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from the virus as well as illnesses such as food poisoning and flu.

When to wash your hands

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhoea
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

How to wash your hands

The NHS have put together a thorough step-by-step guide to washing your hands with soap and water. You should wash your hands for the amount of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice (around 20 seconds).

Video Guides

Watch these videos to find out the best way to wash your hands. There’s also one for young children to help get them involved in good hand washing.

How to wash your hand NHS Guide 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGJNspLRdrc

Child friendly guide on how to wash your hands NHS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9VjeIWLnEg

Hand-Sanitizers

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.

Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However,

• Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs
• Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy
• Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals

How to use hand sanitizer

• Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount)
• Rub your hands together
• Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds

For more information and to see the government response to coronavirus, visit GOV.UK