How to coronavirus-proof your home by CNN Scottie Andrews

Life under coronavirus means staying at home as much as possible — but you’ll likely need to make a trip to the grocery store or pharmacy at some point. Download or print this tip sheet to make sure you don’t bring the virus back home with you.

Note: Recommendations for Covid-19 may change as officials learn more, so monitor your local health department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for updates.

 Make a game plan

  • Designate one person to be your errand-runner to limit your outside exposures
  • Set up a disinfecting station — an area outside your home or in a room with low foot traffic where you can disinfect packaged food

 When you’re out

  • Avoid coming within less than six feet of others
  • Wipe handles on carts or baskets while shopping
  • You don’t have to have gloves or a mask — just wash your hands frequently while you’re out and avoid touching your face

 When you get back

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds
  • Disinfect takeout boxes and packaged foods at your disinfecting station
  • Thoroughly wash produce before putting it in your kitchen

 Disinfect

  • Disinfect everything you touch — doorknobs, light switches, keys, phone, keyboards, remotes, etc.
  • Use EPA-approved disinfectants (these include Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and certain Lysol sprays) and leave surfaces wet for 3-5 minutes

 Delivery

  • Ask workers to drop deliveries off on your doorstep or an area of your complex
  • If they need you to come to the door, keep six feet of distance
  • Pay and tip online when possible
  • After you pick up mail from your mailbox, wash your hands

 Laundry

  • Wash clothes, towels and linens regularly on the warmest setting
  • Disinfect your laundry hamper, too, or place a removable liner inside it
  • Don’t shake dirty laundry to avoid dispersing the virus in the air

 Guests

  • You shouldn’t allow guests over right now
  • If you need to house a family member or friend, avoid shared living spaces as much as you can
  • If they need to enter shared living spaces, ask them to keep six feet of distance

 If someone in your home gets sick

  • First, consult your doctor
  • Isolate them in another room and ask them to use a separate restroom
  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces every day
  • Avoid sharing items with them
  • Wear gloves when washing their laundry
  • Continue to wash your hands frequently
  • Ask them to wear a face mask if they have one

 Supplies you’ll need

  • EPA-approved disinfectants
  • If you don’t have disinfectants, make a bleach solution:
    • Mix four teaspoons bleach per quart of water; or
    • Use a 70% alcohol solution
  • Laundry detergent
  • Trash bags
  • Prescription medicines (you can mail order these)
  • Canned foods — fruits, veggies, beans
  • Dry goods — breads, pastas, nut butters
  • Frozen foods — meats, veggies, fruits

 Pets

  • Supervise your pet in your backyard
  • It’s OK to play with them outside — just keep your distance from other humans
  • If you’re sick, ask someone you live with to take care of them while you recover
  • If you must care for them while you’re sick, wash your hands frequently

Covid 19 Quarantine Station in Atlanta Georgia

CDC Quarantine Stations are responding
to COVID-19

All COVID-19 related questions: 800-232-4636 or TTY 888-232-6348
All Media: (404) 639-3286

Jurisdiction

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operates a quarantine station in Atlanta. The station’s jurisdiction includes all ports in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Quarantine Station Activities

  • Respond to reports of illness or death on airplanes, cargo vessels, and other conveyances at international ports of entry within jurisdiction.
  • Review medical records of migrants who will reside permanently in the United States. Notify state and local health departments of any migrants with specific medical conditions.
  • Partner with other federal agencies and local and state health departments, private medical providers, and hospitals in preparedness activities related to quarantine and isolation at ports of entry.
  • Monitor importations that may have pathogens infectious to humans.
  • Partner with health departments regarding emergency response, migrant health, and other public health issues.

Annual Ports of Entry Statistics

Major Airport Arrivals
Number of international passengers
Major Seaport Arrivals

Contact Information

(404) 639-1220 24-hour access

On call: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Office Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET

CDC Atlanta Quarantine Station

P.O. Box 45256
Atlanta, GA 30320

Fax: (404) 209-3937

Information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)