The spread of respiratory infections is reaching its winter peak. As a result of this, the Federal Health Department's Risk Management Group (RMG) is raising the alert level for respiratory infections to code orange. This indicates a high circulation of pathogens and a heavy burden on the health care system resulting from the large number of patients with respiratory infections.
The advice is to stay at home if you are ill and also to wear a face mask in crowded places in the days following your recovery. This advice is applicable to anyone that has even mild symptoms and it should be followed for at least 5 days following their onset. It is particularly important to follow the recommendations if and when you come into contact with vulnerable people and in all contacts with healthcare staff.
Code Orange also means that adults are advised to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing on public transport, during international travel and at indoor events, everyone over the age of 18 is advised to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing during this phase. At hospitals, visitors and staff in contact with patients must also do the same.
For children under the age of 18, only the basic recommendations apply (washing hands with soap and water, coughing or sneezing into disposable tissues or your elbow, etc.). Face coverings are not recommended. The Risk Management Group stresses the importance of air quality, ventilation and air circulation in places where large numbers of people gather.