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Daily Record
Daily Record
Health
Sophie Law

Coronavirus: The important reason why you should leave your shoes outside your house during lockdown

We already know that washing our hands for 20 seconds and covering our mouth when coughing stops the spread of coronavirus.

But did you now that leaving your shoes at the door could also prevent you from catching Covid-19?

Health experts have warned the virus can live on the soles of footwear for days and that it's more likely to be picked up in places where a lot of people have walked.

This includes public transport, shopping centres, offices and parks.

Dr Mary E. Schmidt told Huffington Post that coronavirus can linger on shoes for "five days or more".

So it's wise to leave them outside your door to prevent your home from becoming contaminated.

Public health specialist Carole Winner, who works in Kansas City, also recommends doing this.

She added: "The idea is to just not track them throughout the house."

We should be staying indoors during lockdown, but are allowed out once a day to walk or exercise and get essentials.

It's very likely that the virus could be picked up on a trip to the supermarket or pharmacy.

To clean your footwear, spray them with disinfectant or wash them with hot soapy water.

It's vital to wash your hands after being out of the house and you should try avoid touching your face, especially the mouth, nose and eyes.

And you should always clean your hands after using the toilet, preparing food or coming into contact with other people, especially if they are showing symptoms.

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