In this section:
What is physical distancing?
Current CDC guidelines state that you must:
- Stay at home unless you must leave for an essential activity (e.g. emergency care, purchase essential supplies and food) and do not use public transportation unless necessary.
- Stay at home as much as possible. Avoid any close contact with individuals outside of your home.
- Maintain a six-foot distance from others, particularly from anyone who is sneezing or coughing.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. - Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Do NOT use a face mask meant for a health care worker.
- Cover any coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Immediately wash your hands afterwards.
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
Activities you can still do while physical distancing
- Due to the high volume of visitors looking for relief in the various parks in the Bay Area, many locations have made the decision to close in order to help enforce physical distancing policies.
- If possible, take walks and enjoy nature in your immediate neighborhood.
- A regularly updated list of Bay Area park closures is available online.
- In light of cinemas across the country being shut down as part of coronavirus-mitigation measures, some major movie studios are moving the titles that were headed for first-run theatrical releases to streaming services earlier than planned.
- With many events and activities cancelled, the Child Mind Institute has shared different activities and opportunities for children to benefit from boredom.
- Additional activities you can do with your family indoors: A comprehensive database to connect you with mental health resources and organized COVID-19 response efforts. Take a look at the "Families With Children and Teens" section for activities for children at home, educational curriculum, and resources to talk to you kids about COVID-19.
