As the mobility of the nation continues to increase with more states opening back up for business, the issue of how to safely use public restrooms has been at the forefront of many health dialogues. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the risk of contracting the virus from fecal matter seems to be minimal, the experts said that some studies have demonstrated that COVID-19 may be excreted in feces. While it is best to avoid using public restrooms if possible, there will inevitably come a time when you need to use one. Taking the right precautions can help you to navigate this situation while protecting yourself as much as possible from COVID-19. Here are five ways that you can help to mitigate the risk of contracting coronavirus while visiting a public restroom.

Mask Up

The number one thing that anyone can do to protect themselves from exposure to the coronavirus in any situation is to wear a mask. When everyone wears a mask, the risk to all individuals drops significantly. If you are on the go with young children, make sure that you remind them to not touch their mask once it is securely in place. With so many possible germs lurking in restrooms, you do not want them touching commonly used surfaces and then fiddling with their mask.

Choose Your Restroom Wisely

When it comes to safety, not all restrooms are created equal. You can boost your chances of staying safe by choosing your restroom wisely. The best choices are restrooms that only have one stall. This will ensure that you are not standing in a crowded room with others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has repeatedly said that the most common way that the virus is transmitted is through person-to-person contact. By choosing restrooms that do not have many people milling about, you will automatically reduce your risk.

Do Not Congregate

If you are forced to have to use a restroom with more than one stall, you can choose to wait outside until there is an available stall. The last thing that you want to do is to be waiting around in a restroom for your turn with toilets flushing and sending flumes out into the air. Instead, you should wait outside and encourage others to do the same. If you need to go inside with others, be sure to adhere to social distancing recommendations of at least six feet between you and others not in your immediate household.

Practice Good Hygiene

Now more than ever, it is critical that you practice good hygiene. This has always been important when using a public restroom and it is even more vital during this time of a global pandemic. Even if you are wearing a mask and practicing proper social distancing, you need to wash your hands thoroughly after using a public restroom. Be sure to wash with warm water and soap and scrub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds for the best results. It is also a better idea to use paper towels rather than air dryers. These air dryers can spread harmful particles and droplets around the restroom. Paper towels have also been proven to be more effective at removing residual viruses from the hands than hot air.

Come Prepared

Every time that you head out of your house, you need to be prepared to keep yourself safe from the transmission of the virus. The best weapon to keep on you at all times is hand sanitizer. Do not leave it to chance that the restroom will be stocked with soap and running water. Antibacterial wipes are also useful if you need to open a door or touch another suspicious surface. If you are particularly worried, you can also travel with latex gloves to form another layer of protection.

What many people are forgetting as the reopening process surges on is that there is more prevalence of the virus now than there was when everything went into lockdown. One of the biggest risks that society faces is when people become complacent about the virus. Doing your part to protect yourself and others when using public restrooms can help to mitigate the spread of this deadly virus.