Summary of Influenza Protection Measures

Protection measure

Where applicable

Hand hygiene, cough etiquette, ventilation

Everyone, all the time

Health and safety policies

School, all the time

Social distancing

Everyone, whenever practical stay at least one metre away from other people.

Protective barriers

In situations where regular work practice requires unavoidable, relatively close contact with the public, for example, reception areas.

Disposable surgical mask

Sick people coughing and sneezing

Staff having close contact with suspected infected people, for example, in sick bay caring for the sick (this includes first aiders)

Also as a possible adjunct to protective barriers.

Disposable particulate respirator masks, eye protection, gloves, gowns, aprons

Health care workers participating directly in close contact patient care when there is a high risk of contact with respiratory secretions, particularly via aerosols (mostly inpatient settings). Unlikely to be necessary in schools.