Save yourself. Save each other.

Simple habits protect you, your family and your community. Learn the symptoms, how the virus spreads and how to stay safe.

How to stay safe Hotline 06 500 1199

Wash your hands often
Wear a mask in crowded places
Stay home if you feel unwell

Testing and vaccination centres: 42
Hotline calls answered this year: 18,400
Schools in our hygiene programme: 310
Volunteers trained: 1,250

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a coronavirus. Most people who catch it have mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment, but older people and those with underlying conditions are more likely to become seriously ill.

Check the symptoms

A nurse in blue scrubs wearing a surgical face mask in a clinic corridor

Know the signs

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Fever

A high temperature: you feel hot to touch on your chest or back.

Tiredness

Unusual fatigue that does not go away with rest.

Dry cough

A new, continuous cough that lasts more than an hour.

Shortness of breath

Difficulty breathing, even when resting.

Aches and pains

Muscle aches, headaches and general body pain.

Sore throat

A scratchy or painful throat, sometimes with a runny nose.

How it spreads

How does COVID-19 spread?

Washing hands at a sink next to a pet dog

Animal contact

The virus may pass between some animals and people.

More on animal contact — Animal contact

Colleagues in face masks greeting with an elbow bump

Close contact

Close contact with an infected person spreads it most easily.

Airborne spread

Droplets and aerosols linger in poorly ventilated rooms.

More on airborne spread — Airborne spread

Contaminated surfaces

Touching a contaminated surface and then your face.

More on surfaces — Contaminated surfaces

Prevention

Take steps to protect yourself

A few simple steps greatly reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus.

Stay at home

Stay home if you feel unwell and avoid crowded places.

When to stay home — Stay at home

Cover coughs and sneezes

Use a tissue or your elbow, then wash your hands.

Coughing safely — Cover coughs and sneezes

Wear a facemask

Wear a mask in crowded or indoor public spaces.

Choosing a mask — Wear a facemask

Clean and disinfect

Clean surfaces you touch often, every day.

What to clean — Clean and disinfect

Myths and facts

Myth: only older people get seriously ill.

Fact: anyone can become seriously ill, although the risk is higher for older people and those with chronic conditions.

Myth: antibiotics prevent and treat COVID-19.

Fact: antibiotics work against bacteria, not viruses. Follow your doctor's advice on treatment.

Myth: if you have no symptoms, you cannot spread the virus.

Fact: people without symptoms can still pass the virus on, so keep washing your hands and covering coughs.