Want to know how to stay safe from COVID-19? This animation explains how

Oct 14, 2020 | News | 0

A first in a series of animated videos that make it easy to understand and follow the health advice on how to stay safe from COVID-19 has been released on Facebook, just in time for Global Handwashing Day on Thursday.

The first short video, produced by CARE Vanuatu and the Ministry of Health with the support of the Australian Government, has been posted on CARE International in Vanuatu facebook pages and CARE’s YouTube channel – and it has already proved a hit, being watched and shared by social media users across Vanuatu and beyond. It will also be posted on the Health Promotions Vanuatu facebook page.

“While we have been successful in keeping COVID-19 out of Vanuatu so far, it is essential that we all know how to protect ourselves and our families from being infected by the virus,” says Director of Public Health, Len Tarivonda.

“To stay safe from COVID-19, there are simple things we can all do, like washing our hands with soap and water and covering up coughs and sneezes with our elbows or a tissue. Watch these videos and you’ll find out more about them!

“We’re really excited to launch these animations to make it easy for everyone to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” says CARE Vanuatu’s Country Director Megan Chisholm.

“We all have a part to play in keeping our family, friends and neighbours safe, and these fun videos show us exactly how to do it.”

“Australia is working with the Vanuatu Government and a range of partners including CARE to prepare and respond to COVID-19. Congratulations to CARE and the Ministry of Health for producing these animated videos to continue to share information on COVID-19,” said Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Her Excellency Sarah deZoeten.

The videos are an animated version of the COVID-19 prevention information presented in the COVID-19: How to Keep Your Family Safe booklets. These booklets, also produced by CARE Vanuatu and the Ministry of Health with the Australian Government’s support, are available in both English and Bislama at www.covid19.gov.vu, www.care.org.au/country/vanuatu, and have been distributed across many provinces by CARE and other Ministry of Health partners.

Posters about the five things to know and the five things to do to protect against COVID-19 have also been produced and distributed across Vanuatu to raise public awareness in support of the Vanuatu Government’s response to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to infect thousands of people worldwide, with over 35.6 million confirmed cases and one million deaths globally – while Vanuatu has remained COVID-19 free. Vanuatu’s State of Emergency for COVID-19, declared on 26 March 2020, has been extended until 31 December 2020 as work continues to prevent COVID-19 from entering Vanuatu.

Global Handwashing Day is a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.

Watch the COVID-19: How to Keep Your Family Safe animations – search CARE Vanuatu at youtube.com.

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