The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released tips for minimizing everyday risks of getting and spreading COVID-19, including tips for in-person visits to the doctor and pharmacy. 

In general, the CDC says, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. Read about the 15 questions to ask yourself before venturing out during the COVID-19 pandemic here.

Here are the 12 tips for staying safe during in-person visits to the doctor and the pharmacy:

1. If you or a member of your household has signs of COVID-19, call your doctor first, instead of going to the office or the emergency department. Call 911 if you believe it is an emergency.

2. Use telemedicine, if available, or communicate with your doctor or nurse by phone or e-mail. Learn more about scheduling a virtual doctor visit here.

3. Talk to your doctor about rescheduling procedures that are not urgently needed.

4. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when you have to go out in public.

MORE: Still need a cloth face covering? Learn to make one here

MORE: 7 recommendations to keeping your COVID-19 cloth masks clean

5. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Stay at least 6 feet away from others while inside and in lines.

7. When paying, use touchless payment methods if possible. Some doctor offices even let you pay over mobile apps. If you cannot use touchless payment, sanitize your hands after paying with card, cash, or check.

8. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home.

9. Limit in-person visits to the pharmacy.

10. Plan to order and pick up all your prescriptions at the same time.

11. If possible, call prescription orders in ahead of time. Use drive-thru windows, curbside services (wait in your car until the prescription is ready), mail-order, or other delivery services. Do the same for pet medicine.

12. Check with your doctor and pharmacist to see if you can get a larger supply of your medicines so you do not have to visit the pharmacy as often.