Wear gloves when needed

Where gloves when needed

There may be some situations where you could wear gloves to protect yourself and others.1,2 In order to make data available for Canadians, people living in the United States, and the rest of the world, we included information from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Wearing gloves does not substitute hand washing recommendations (i.e. washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol). 

If available, gloves can be worn while caring for someone with COVID-19 and when you need to be within 2 metres of them. In addition, gloves can be worn when touching the environment or soiled items of someone with COVID-19.

Avoid touching your face with gloved hands. Ensure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after removing gloves. Disposable gloves should not be re-used.

Read more here:

  1. Public Health Agency of Canada. How to care for someone with COVID-19 at home. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/how-care-someone-covid-19-home.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

In general, gloves are not necessary for most situations (e.g. running errands). It is important to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

You may wear gloves when:

  • Cleaning/disinfecting your home when someone who is sick has been in your home over the past day
  • When caring for someone who is ill

Wash your hands after removing gloves.

There may be additional guidelines for wearing gloves in healthcare and work settings.

Read more here: 

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wearing Gloves. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/gloves.html
World Health Organization (WHO)

Wearing gloves in the community is not recommended.

Read more here:

  1. World Health Organization. Q&A: Considerations for the cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19 in non-health care settings.https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-considerations-for-the-cleaning-and-disinfection-of-environmental-surfaces-in-the-context-of-covid-19-in-non-health-care-settings

References

  1. Public Health Agency of Canada. How to care for someone with COVID-19 at home. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/how-care-someone-covid-19-home.html 
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wearing Gloves. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/gloves.html

Disclaimer: The information regarding COVID-19 is changing constantly as more data become available. The information provided in this website is not meant to replace diabetes healthcare team or public health agencies recommendations, and is intended for information purposes only. Please check with your healthcare providers for any deviations from your care plans.


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