What to do if there is an epidemic or pandemic

Official updatesLU-Alert · RTL, 100.7 · 112

Do this now

Follow the health authorities on LU-Alert, the radio, infocrise and the national health portal, sante.public.lu. Do what they ask, even when the advice changes.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, for at least Status: Verified each time.
Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow. Put the tissue in the bin straight away, then wash your hands.
Air every room Status: Verified, for about Status: Verified each time.
Wear a face mask when the health authorities advise it.
Avoid hugs, kisses and handshakes if someone at home is ill, and clean the surfaces you share, such as door handles, taps and tables.
Contact your doctor early if you fall ill or belong to a risk group. Call Status: Verified in an emergency.

Your medicines for at least Status: Verified, and a first-aid kit with a fever reducer such as paracetamol, and cold and flu remedies.
Face masks, hand gel, soap, tissues, disinfectant and bin bags.
Food and water for at least Status: Verified, in case you need to stay at home: Status: Verified of water per person per day. See the emergency kit checklist.

Schools, childcare and workplaces may close. Agree now who looks after the children and whether you can work from home.
Agree with a neighbour or relative who shops for whom if one of you has to stay in.
Keep password-protected digital copies of your important documents, as well as paper ones. Note your doctor's phone number in your household plan.

Ask your doctor whether your vaccinations are up to date, and whether you should have the seasonal flu vaccine.
In a new pandemic, a vaccine can only be made once the virus is known, so there will be none at the start. Hygiene is your first protection.

Keep the hygiene habits for as long as the health authorities advise them.
Restock what you used: medicines, masks, hand gel, food.
Share only information from official sources, and check before you forward a message. False information explains how.
Stay in touch with friends and family while you are at home. If you are struggling, see Coping with a crisis.

Teach them to wash their hands properly and to cough into their elbow. Doing it together makes it a habit.
Keep in touch with the school or childcare about closures and home learning.

Some people are at higher risk from flu. Ask your doctor whether you belong to a risk group, and what to do if you fall ill.
Keep extra medicines at home, and arrange for someone to shop for you so you can stay in when the disease is spreading.

Agree who will feed and walk your pets if you are ill, and keep enough pet food in your stock.

Agree a daily call or message with someone, so a person notices quickly if you fall ill.