POSING a risk to health, particularly to the elderly or those with an underlying health condition, is the current outbreak of Covid-19 and here’s some handy tips to help keep you, your family and staff safe.

The most important tips are to wash your hands frequently and properly, and enforce the physical distance between yourself and another person – keep a distance of two metres – when outside your home at all times.

Families should:

  • Limit themselves to the family home and avoid meeting friends or other family members who live elsewhere.
  • Be very strict on the above rule if you live with elderly people or anyone with an underlying health condition.
  • Stay away from sick family or friends – do not go to a doctor surgery if sick yourself. Phone the surgery for advice.
  • You can drop off food and medicines to family and neighbours, etc, but do not go in – maintain a two-metre distance.
  • Wash hands frequently and properly – in hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser frequently.
  • If you cough, use a tissue or your sleeve to prevent droplet spread.
  • After being outside at the shops, petrol stations etc, wash hands and your face when you get home.
  • Don’t share towels – everyone should have their own.
  • Clean all door handles and taps every day with a sanitiser.

    • Staff should:

  • Maintain good hygiene practice, wash hands frequently in hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Hand sanitisers should be full and available at all times on the yard and in toilets.
  • Paper towels should be used – no towels should be shared.
  • Minimise contact between staff and maintain a physical distance of two metres.
  • Don’t share cups or water bottles etc – only use your own.
  • If coughing, use a tissue or your sleeve to prevent droplet spread.
  • If there is a large staff number on site, split up into separate teams.
  • If staff can work remotely, facilitate this. Eliminate all face-to-face meetings.
  • Ensure sanitation wipes and sanitising products are on site and available.
  • Change your clothes after coming home from the yard.

    • Yards and stud farms:

  • Enforce a no entry policy to all non-essential visitors.
  • Use feed and hay delivery services if available.
  • Consider putting up a sign restricting entry or advising people of the rules on your premises.
  • Stay in touch with your livery yard by phone, text or email.
  • Leave the number and name of your vet with the livery yard or grass livery provider.
  • Try to avoid any risk of unnecessary accidents – pay attention to what you are doing at all times.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser - keep one in your car or truck.
  • Change your clothes after arriving home from being out.

    • To stay up to date with the latest Government advice, visit www.hse.ie