COVID-19 is a new virus that mainly spreads through person-to-person contact. By practicing social distancing, you can reduce the spread of this coronavirus to protect yourself and those around you. 

Social distancing means keeping space between yourself and other people outside your home. To practice social distancing, you should stay at least 6 feet away from other people, not gather in groups, stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings. 

In addition to the other steps everyone should be taking to prevent COVID-19, such as handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, keeping space between you and others is one of the best tools we have to avoid being exposed to the virus and slowing its spread in your community and across the state. 

As COVID-19 continues to spread, it is important to follow stay at home orders and limit close contact with those who do not live in your household. Since people can spread the virus even when they are not symptoms, it is important to stay away from others when possible. Social distancing is also very important to protect people who are at higher risk of getting very sick, such as the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. 

Remember to follow the social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders that are in place for your area. If you do need to go out for essential items like food or medicine, you should remember to stay at least 6 feet away from others and cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask. These every day precautions ensure that you, your families and those in your community are protected against COVID-19.