Prevent infection
It is important that you help prevent the spread of infection in society. That way we can protect ourselves and each other.
The Danish Health Authority recommends that you always follow our general recommendations for infection prevention and incorporate them into your everyday life.
Also remember to help children follow the recommendations.
The five recommendations
1. Stay home if you are ill
If you experience symptoms of covid-19 and feel ill, it is recommended that you stay home until you are well again.
The Danish Health Authority does not recommend that you get tested, unless there is a health professional reason to do so. We recommend that you get tested if you are ill with significant symptoms of covid-19, such as fever, persistent cough, breathing problems, etc., and you are at increased risk of a serious course of illness due to covid-19.
You may be at increased risk if you are 65 years of age or older or for other reasons are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill because of covid-19, including if you are pregnant.
Further information
2. Open windows and doors and ventilate your home regularly
Ventilation effectively prevents the spread of droplets indoors.
When someone e.g. coughs or sneezes most droplets fall to the ground within a few meters, but the most minute droplets - the so-called microdroplets - can remain suspended in the air for some time which is why the risk of infection is higher indoors and when many people are gathered in small spaces for longer periods of time.
Microdroplets accumulate in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation. Therefore, you can prevent the spread of infection and reduce the concentration of airborne microdroplets by ventilation and creating a cross draft by regularly letting fresh air in by opening windows and doors.
How to air out effectively
If you do not have a ventilation system in your home, you can increase ventilation by:
- Creating a draft by opening windows and doors.
- Opening windows and doors for 5 minutes at least 2 times a day.
- Let fresh air in more often if several people are gathered indoors, for example, before and after you have had guests in your home.
- Creating a draft every hour if you are many people together for an extended period of time.
3. Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer
Proper hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent spread from infected surfaces.
Washing your hands or using hand sanitizer is equally effective. However, hand sanitizers only work properly when your hands are dry and not visibly dirty. You should always wash your hands if they are visibly dirty or wet, after toilet visits or changing nappies, and before you handle food. Help children to maintain good hand hygiene.
Further information
4. Clean thoroughly and regularly, especially surfaces that are touched by many people
The risk of spread from infected surfaces increases dramatically when you touch contact points and surfaces that are touched by many people, for example door handles, hand rails, light switches, keyboards, computer mice, armrests, the edges of tables, toys, tools, utensils, taps, toilets, etc.
Clean contact points frequently and thoroughly using ordinary cleaning products and disinfectants.
5. Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
Coughing and sneezing into your sleeve, elbow or armpit prevent virus-particles from spreading in the air. It also prevents spread of virus from by your hands.
If you cough or sneeze into your hands it is recommended that you wash or use sanitizer on your hands afterwards.
Further information: