Does Trying On Clothes While Shopping Transmit the Virus? Egypt’s Ministry of Health Responds
By Nour El-Miligi
Since shopping malls are now open after lifting the curfew, people have been wondering whether or not it’s safe to try out clothes in fitting rooms whilst shopping, especially that many others may have tried on the same piece of clothing.
Minister Dr. Ihab Attia has finally clarified the issue through a statement to the Ministry of Health, saying that trying out clothes by itself does not transmit the coronavirus. Yet he emphasized the importance of sanitizing hands constantly since the virus can only be transmitted through touching surfaces, and we need to be careful not to get clothes in close contact with the nose and mouth.
Moreover, the Ministry of Health and Population tackled the other controversial issue of whether a virus can be transmitted through footwear, clarifying that the probability of this happening is very weak. Yet, as an extra precaution, it was advised to leave one’s shoes at the entrance of the house especially for families who have kids who play on the floor frequently, as gems and bacteria can stick to the bottom of the shoes.
