Coronavirus hand sanitiser advice – the 9 steps to make sure gels will protect against the virus
WITH health officials urging the public to wash their hands to stop coronavirus, people have rushed out to buy hand sanitiser.
Experts say that soap and water is effective enough to kill the virus but many have been looking for on-the-go alternatives.
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If you need to use an alcohol-based hand gel, you need to ensure you use it for 20 to 30 seconds, according to the World Health Organisation.
The agency has issued a nine-step guidance on how to rub your hands to make sure you are cleaning them properly...
1a. Apply a palmful of the product in a cupped hand
1b. Cover all surfaces of your hand
2. Rub hands palm to palm
3. Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa
4. Palm to palm with fingers interlaced
5. Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked
6. Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa
7. Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa
8. Once dry, your hands are safe
9. The whole thing should take 20 to 30 seconds
It comes amid a worldwide shortage of hand sanitisers and with prices of some bottles surging to up to £40 - many are turning to making their own homemade solutions.
One such recipe that's been circulating online involves using vodka and aloe.
However, experts have warned against making your own DIY hand sanitisers.
That's because the actual percentage of alcohol might not be enough to kill off viruses, including Covid-19.
Source: NHS
"Washing hands regularly is the single most important thing that an individual can do.
"Public safety remains our top priority. The government and the NHS are working 24/7 to fight this virus.
"It’s imperative that everyone follows clinical advice by contacting NHS 111, and not going to A&E if you develop symptoms."
In February alone, it's estimated that hand sanitiser sales were up 255 per cent, according to research company Kantar.
Other kinds of liquid soaps saw sales increase by seven per cent, and ten per cent more was spent on household cleaners.
In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Hancock was questioned about low supplies of products such as hand sanitiser and whether the UK will have enough of medicines such as paracetamol.
"Our no-deal planning and our no-deal stockpiles are playing an important part in making sure we are fully prepared and ready," he said.