UN inspires safe hands challenge amid virus outbreak

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - The UN on Thursday encouraged people across the world in a safe hand challenge against the new coronavirus on the upcoming World Water Day.

In order to raise awareness about hand hygiene to contain the spread of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases, the UN Water said "All hands on World Water Day."

"Take the #SafeHands Challenge by sharing your hand-washing video on social media channels. Please don't forget to turn off the tap," it said in the statement.

Celebrated annually on March 22, World Water Day 2020, is about water and climate change – and how the two are inextricably linked.

This year, World Water Day will be marked under the theme of Climate Change and Water.

The UN also called on people to share videos, messages or photos that contain important information about how water can fight climate change.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Europe the new epicenter of coronavirus, which first emerged in Wuhan, China last December.

The virus has now spread to 159 countries and regions, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the U.S.

Out of nearly 223,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 9,000, while more than 84,500 have recovered.