Thursday 02nd July 2020
Phase 3: Guidance for People with CF
Advice to remain cocooned
On the 29th of June Ireland entered the third phase of lifting the public health restrictions that were put in place to protect us all from COVID-19. People with pre-existing chronic conditions (including CF) and older people, have been found to be more susceptible to COVID-19 infection and are most likely to experience severe consequences from infection so it is still recommended that you remain cocooned for your safety.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has published specific guidance to those who are recommended to cocoon in Phase 3. We will summarise some of this guidance below, including ways to minimise risk if you are engaging in any of the activities that have reopened in society. Cocooning is advised for your personal protection and you will make your own judgement about the extent to which cocooning guidance applies to you.
Your risk of getting the disease is reduced when COVID-19 is not circulating in the community.
You can keep yourself informed of the level of COVID-19 in your local area from the data on the government’s COVID dashboard. This information may help you to assess your risk in certain situations.
As society opens up, you need to be aware that certain activities carry more risk of exposure e.g. attending events, crowded areas, activities where physical distancing cannot be maintained. It is important to note, that the measures outlined below are to minimise risk of COVID-19 infection but as with any social interaction, risk cannot be completely eliminated and you will have to decide what is right for you and your health.
In general, if you choose to go outside you should:
- Strictly adhere to 2 metres physical distancing measures
- Avoid close face-to-face contact
- Avoid touching people or surfaces
- Wash your hands on returning home
If you choose to go for a drive, you should adhere to the following measures:
- Make the journey alone, with someone who is cocooning with you or at least someone who is in your core group of family or friends. However, if you do need to share a car journey with someone from outside your core circle e.g. getting a taxi, apply strict hand hygiene, the use of face coverings for both passenger and driver and keep as much distance as is practical
- Strictly adhere to the 2 metres physical distancing measures when out
- Wash your hands on returning home
Visiting others and receiving visitors
You can have visitors to your home, ideally from the same core group of family or friends who are aware of your circumstances and willing to adhere to protective measures while you cocoon.
Visitors must not visit you if they are unwell.
When in your home, visitors should keep at least 2 metres away from you, wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds on arrival to your house and should wear face coverings.
If you choose to visit other people’s homes, tell them in advance that you are coming, make sure that no one in the household is unwell with COVID-19, ideally wear a face covering, strictly adhere to the 2 metres physical distancing measures and wash your hands on returning home.
Businesses are now opening up to customers and many of these shops have dedicated hours for those who are cocooning. If you choose to visit retail units, it is best to adhere to the following measures:
- Attend shops that provide dedicated hours for those who are cocooning which will enable you to do your shopping in a safer way
- Ideally wear a face covering
- Strictly adhere to the 2 metres physical distancing measures when out
- Wash your hands on returning home
Other activities such as religious services, attending libraries and museums are also becoming available and you may wish to attend. However, it is important that you take the necessary precautions regarding physical distancing, hand washing and face covering to reduce your risk of infection.
For services such as attending restaurants, it is important that you risk assess the situation before partaking in the activity. The following considerations will help you to minimise your risk:
- If you wish, you can indicate that you are cocooning to the service provider
- Make sure you attend venues that are large enough to accommodate 2 metres physical distancing between tables and that are adhering to the measures required for safe re-opening of food businesses which include strict hygiene measures and safe entry and exit from the venue
- Keep attendance time as short as possible
- Wear a face covering when moving around the restaurant
- Wash your hands on returning home
Hair salons / Barbers etc
For services where adherence to physical distancing is not always practical for certain activities e.g. hair salons, it is important that you risk assess the situation before partaking in the activity. The following will help to minimise your risk:
- If you wish, you can indicate that you are cocooning to the service provider
- Make sure you limit the number of visits to essential only
- Keep appointments as short as possible
- Ask for a time when the business may have fewer customers e.g. at the start or end of the day
- Use a business that adheres to the strictest hygiene precautions and understands your needs
- Wear a face covering
- Wash your hands on returning home
Travel around Ireland has opened up and you may wish to move around the country. The risk of travel is dependent on the activities you partake in. To minimise risk:
- Follow the general measures described re hand hygiene, physical distancing, face coverings
- Choose accommodation where you are not sharing facilities with those who are not cocooning with you
- Choose accommodation that adheres to strict measures for the safe opening of the accommodation sector
Regarding social gatherings, it is important to note that the more people in a venue the greater the risk. However, as society re-opens, there may be certain events that are important for you to attend e.g. funerals, weddings and family events. As the risk increases the larger the event, you will have to assess if attending is the right option for you and your health. The following considerations will help to minimise the risk should you choose to attend:
- As with any gatherings of people, it is important that you maintain strict physical distancing, strictly adhere to 2 metres physical distancing measures,
- Choose events that are mostly your close family or friend circle who understand your need to adhere to certain protective measures
- Wear a face covering
- Avoid close face-to-face contact
- Avoid touching people
- Limit the time at the event to the smallest amount possible
- Outdoor events are preferable
- Wash your hands regularly during the event and on returning home
Those who are working remotely should continue to do so and only return to the workplace if appropriate safety measures are in place.
It is really important that you continue to attend essential medical services and receive medical care at home (if you normally have care at home) to ensure your overall health and wellbeing is maintained.
Further detailed advice on cocooning, including information for those living with you who are not also cocooning can be found from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre here.
