A mother wearing gloves as a protective measure and holds her son's hand.

Gulf Today Report

The outbreak began in January and has spread around the globe with the World Health Organisation (WHO) announcing that Europe is now the centre of the outbreak.

So what can people do to keep safe? Are there practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of contracting the illness like wearing a face mask or latex gloves?

An NHS doctor went viral after sharing a video on TikTok saying that people could be doing more harm than good by wearing gloves.

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Dr Karan Raj said that wearing gloves could be contributing to further spread of the virus.

The NHS says that items like face masks and gloves play a “very important role” in a clinical setting but there is “little widespread evidence” that they are useful for members of the public.

Public Health England (PHE) and WHO has also not recommended people wear gloves or face masks to protect themselves.

A spokesperson for PHE said, “PHE is not recommending the use of gloves as a protective measure against COVID-19 for the general public.

“People concerned about the transmission of infectious diseases should prioritise good personal, respiratory and hand hygiene.”

A virologist at Imperial College London also said that they worry items like gloves give a “false sense of security” and washing hands is a far better precautionary measure.

What is the best way to prevent spread?

People wear protective masks as a precautionary measure.

PHE and WHO recommends, “The best way to protect yourself and others is:

Wash your hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel, regularly throughout the day.

Catch your cough or sneeze in a tissue, bin it, and wash your hands.

People should stay at home and practice social distancing

You also need to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands, as this is how the virus can enter your body.”