With public concern mounting about the spread of coronavirus, health officials say hand washing is still one of the best ways to keep viruses at bay.

Some of the same common steps taken to guard against routine influenza should be practised to prevent the spread of coronavirus, said Toronto’s chief public health officer Dr. Eileen de Villa. These include covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and staying home when you’re sick. However, washing your hands is still the leading weapon to kill the spread of viruses.

But are you doing it right? Follow the methods in our interactive, step-by-step hand washing guide to ensure you’re using proper technique.