People working at voting booths during the council elections are urged to practice good hygiene habits

Voters, staff and volunteers urged to take basic hygiene measures at council election polling booths.

File photo. People at election polling booths urged to follow basic hygiene measures. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

VOLUNTEERS and staff at the upcoming council elections are being urged to help prevent the spread of coronavirus by following simple hygiene measures.

Early voting begins on Monday with the election on March 28.

Voters will inevitably come in contact with a barrage of candidate spruikers at polling booths across the state, with how-to-vote cards and voting slips being handed around from person to person.

An Electoral Commission of Queensland spokesman said they were monitoring advice from the Queensland Chief Health Officer about managing the spread of Novel Coronavirus, or COVID 19.

“The ECQ is providing advice to temporary election staff about measures recommended by Queensland Health, that members of the public should be taking normal precautions, such as good hand and respiratory hygiene,” the spokesman said.

“The ECQ will continue to monitor the situation closely, and take advice from the relevant authorities, including Queensland Health.”

The Courier Mail today reported that 92 Australians had contracted the virus, with three deaths reported.

Eighteen people in Queensland have been confirmed with COVID-19, including three people from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

Of these, eight patients have been clinically cleared by their treating team and discharged from hospital.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said people in coronavirus isolation should stay in their homes for 14 days, stating the government would produce a social media education campaign and carry out police compliance checks.

“If you are told to isolate, you must isolate. We are going to prepare some social media, targeted messages for people to understand what that isolation means,” she said.

“It means that for 14 days, you cannot leave your house or your apartment.

“It is very important that you don’t go to the shop and buy a bottle of milk and come home.

“This self isolation is very important.”

She said police would also carry out random compliance checks.

Basic hygiene tips:

● Clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs

● Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing

● Avoid contact with anyone who has symptoms such as fever, a cough, sore throat, fatigue, and shortness of breath

● Stay home if you are unwell.