As the COVID-19 Corona Virus spreads to over 100 countries including the Maldives, the Chief Medical Officer at ADK Hospital, Dr. Abdulla Niyaf has advised to keep children indoors as a precautionary measure.

Dr. Niyaf made the remark on Twitter in response to a question raised about sending children to sports sessions, holiday camps and tuition classes while the country is on a Yellow Alert for the disease.

“I’d particularly push for this at Orange. But waiting until it is already Orange may be too late for those affected to qualify it as Orange. I think parents taking precautions in keeping kids at home to prevent exposure will be putting safety first.” Dr. Niyaf said in his reply.

Experts in the health sector say that the most important preventive measure to protect one’s self from COVID-19 is the frequent washing of hands. Sanitizers can also be used to clean the hands to get rid of any germs on the hands but experts advise soap as the preferred method.

They also advise against spitting in public places and staying indoors if there are coughs and sneezing and not to cough and sneeze on the palm of the hands and to use one’s elbows if a tissue is not available. The public is also advised against frequent touching of the eyes, nose and mouth.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) advises anyone suspected of symptoms of COVID-19 are to stay indoors and contact the designated emergency hotline, 1767 and share the information.