restrict the number of visitors and the time allowed, AND provide clear instructions about what PPE is required to be used during the visit, about how to put on and remove PPE, and perform hand hygiene to ensure that visitors avoid exposure.

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- Wherever feasible, use telemedicine and telephone hotlines to initially evaluate suspected cases of COVID-195
-  Use physical barriers to reduce exposure to the COVID-19 virus, especially in areas of the health care setting where patients will first present.
- Postpone elective, non-urgent procedure, and hospitalizations, reduce frequency of visits for chronic patients, apply telemedicine and telephone solutions where possible 
- Cohort confirmed COVID-19 patients without coinfection with other transmissible microorganisms in the same room in order to streamline the workflow and facilitate extended use of PPE.
- Designate dedicated health care workers/teams only for COVID-19 patient care so that they can use PPE for longer periods of time , if necessary.
- Restrict the number of health care workers from entering the rooms of COVID-19 patients if they are not involved in providing direct care and streamline the workflow.To do so, consider bundling activities to minimize the number of times a room is
entered and plan which activities will be performed at the bedside.
- Consider using specific PPE only if in direct close contact with the patient or when touching the environment.
- Visitors should not be allowed to visit confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients


Minimize the need for PPE in health care settings

World Health Organization. 2020. Rational Use Of Personal Protective Equipment For Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) And Considerations During Severe Shortages.  https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/rational-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-for-coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-and-considerations-during-severe-shortages     Accessed 5 August 2020.

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