Wash your hands and do it often.

That’s the message Toronto's public health agency is sending to curb the spread and reduce your chances of contracting novel coronavirus.

“Hands carry and spread germs, so keeping your hands clean through good hygiene practice is one of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading germs,” Toronto Public Health (TPH) spokesperson Dr. Vinita Dubey, Toronto’s Associate Medical Officer of Health, told toronto.com in an email.

“While things have changed — including where COVID-19 virus may be circulating globally — general infection, prevention and control messages are still very important to follow. As well, since there is no vaccine and anti-viral medications that has been proven to be effective as of today, the best intervention is prevention, including observing proper hygiene practices.”

Dubey offered the following tips:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.

• Stay at home when you are ill.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands.

• If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

When clean running water is available, wash your hands with plain soap and water and dry them thoroughly.

For perfectly clean hands, follow these six easy steps:

1. Wet hands.

2. Apply soap.

3. Lather for 15 seconds. Rub between fingers, back of hands, fingertips and under nails.

4. Rinse well under running water.

5. Dry hands well with paper towel or a hot air blower.

6. Turn off taps with paper towel, if available.

Toronto Public Health is urging people to wash their hands especially after sneezing, coughing, blowing your nose, using a washroom, handling garbage, changing diapers, handling raw foods and being outdoors. They also want people to wash their hands before and after preparing and eating food, and after touching a cut or open sore and their eyes, nose or mouth.

When clean water is not readily available, TPH is advising people to use hand sanitizer that is at least 70 per cent alcohol-based.

The most effective way to use hand sanitizer is to ensure it is rubbed between your fingers, the back of your hands, your fingertips and under your nails.

Anyone preparing food shouldn’t use hand sanitizer to clear their hands, but instead should wash them with soap and water.