Well-ventilated spaces help reduce risk of COVID transmission: Govt advisory

New Delhi: Considering the ability of smaller aerosol particles to travel as far as ten metres prompting the rise of COVID cases, the Centre has released a set of new guidelines to prevent the virus spread.

In an advisory, Prof K. Vijay Raghavan, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Central government, stressed the importance of well-ventilated spaces in curbing the virus transmission risk.

A properly ventilated place would help the aerosol carrying the virus to dilute with other particles in the air thus reducing the infective ability of the virus. Besides, double masking and risk-avoiding distancing have been advised as strictly followed instructions.

The advisory on "Stop the Transmission, Crush the Pandemic - Masks, distance, sanitation and ventilation, to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus" says that ventilation is a community defence that protects all of us at home or at work.

The advisory suggests that just as smells can be diluted from the air through opening windows and doors and using exhaust systems, ventilating spaces with improved directional airflow decreases the accumulated viral land in the air, reducing the risk of transmission.

Hence, introducing outdoor air in offices, homes and larger public spaces is advised as a preventive measure against the virus.

Moreover, steps to improve ventilation in these spaces are to be given urgent priority in urban and rural areas alike, suggests the report.

Simple strategic placement of fans, open windows and doors, even slightly open windows can introduce outdoor air and improve the air quality inside.

The introduction of cross ventilation and exhaust fans will also be beneficial. In buildings with central air-management systems, improving central air filtration/increased filtration efficiency is especially helpful when enhanced outdoor air delivery options are limited.

In offices, auditoriums, shopping malls etc use of gable fan systems and roof ventilators are recommended. Frequent cleaning and replacement of filters are highly advised.

As saliva and nasal discharge in the form of droplets and aerosols, by an infected person, while exhaling, talking, speaking, singing, laughing, coughing or sneezing etc is the primary mode of virus transmissions, people should continue wearing a mask, wear double masks or N95 masks.

" Use of masks, ventilation, distancing, and sanitation, the battle against the virus can be won," it said.