Social distancing practices include being in public spaces such as playgrounds, where close contacts are likely to occur
Around the world, governments are taking strict measures to slow the spread of COVID-19; one of which is controlling the people’s movement through social distancing.
Social distancing is a public health strategy that is designed to halt or limit the spread of a contagious disease. This is achieved by reducing contact between persons carrying an infection and those who are not in order to delay disease transmission and contain the size of an outbreak within an area.
Social distancing is recommended when an outbreak involves a disease that is transmitted via respiratory droplets, for instance from coughing and sneezing – such is the case for COVID-19.
This means that a healthy person can get infected if he or she breathes in the droplets due to close contact with an infected person.
Although it can impact a country’s economy, a business’s productivity and an individual’s wellbeing, social distancing has proven to be a highly effective measure to slow the spread of a disease during an outbreak.
Thus, social distancing practices require changes in behaviour among communities of all ages to minimise contact with others.
As seen with the current Movement Control Order, Malaysians are advised to stay home, maintain at least 1 metre distance from others when in public spaces, refrain from organising gatherings, and avoid physical contacts in social interactions.
