By Mary Hearty
In a bid to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends outdoor meetings over indoor meetings, particularly if indoor spaces are small and with poor air circulation.
According to Dr Oliver Morgan, Director of the Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment Department, WHO, people need to avoid confined places without free flow of air, crowded places and close contact with other people as this can increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
“Indoor meetings can increase the risk of transmission if there is poor air circulation. Also, the length of time that we are meeting inside can also be a risk of transmission. In particular, we’ve seen that people who are in the same household can transmit SARS-CoV-2 because they are in close contact with each other for extended periods of time,” Dr Morgan stated during WHO Science in 5 interview.
He mentioned that for people to keep themselves safe when meeting indoors doors and windows should be opened for proper air circulation.
Also, wearing masks and maintaining distance, at least one meter between each other if possible, as well as ensuring that we wash our hands frequently in case we might pick up a virus that’s on any surface.
The same precautions can also be applied outside, Dr. Morgan said while noting the importance of being vaccinated when the opportunity arises.
