The COVID-19 pandemic placed hygiene at the centre of disease prevention. Yet, access to the levels of water supply that support good hand hygiene and institutional cleaning, our understanding of hygiene behaviours, and access to soap are deficient in low-, middle- and high-income countries. This paper reviews the role of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) in disease emergence, previous outbreaks, combatting COVID-19 and in preparing for future pandemics. We consider settings where these factors are particularly important and identify key preventive contributions to disease control and gaps in the evidence base. Urgent substantial action is required to remedy deficiencies in WaSH, particularly the provision of reliable, continuous piped water on-premises for all households and settings. Hygiene promotion programmes, underpinned by behavioural science, must be adapted to high-risk populations (such as the elderly and marginalised) and settings (such as healthcare facilities, transport hubs and workplaces). WaSH must be better integrated into preparation plans and with other sectors in prevention efforts. More finance and better use of financing instruments would extend and improve WaSH services. The lessons outlined justify no-regrets investment by government in response to and recovery from the current pandemic; to improve day-to-day lives and as preparedness for future pandemics.

COVID-19大流行将卫生放在疾病预防的中心。但是，在低收入，中等收入和高收入国家，获得支持良好手部卫生和机构清洁的水的水平，我们对卫生行为的理解以及获得肥皂的渠道不足。本文回顾了水，环境卫生和个人卫生（WaSH）在疾病发作，以前的暴发，与COVID-19斗争以及为未来大流行做好准备方面的作用。我们考虑在这些因素特别重要的环境中，并确定对疾病控制的重要预防作用和证据基础上的空白。需要采取紧急措施以纠正WaSH的不足，特别是为所有家庭和环境提供可靠的连续自来水。卫生促进计划，在行为科学的基础上，必须适应高风险人群（例如老年人和边缘人群）和环境（例如医疗机构，交通枢纽和工作场所）。必须将WaSH更好地整合到准备计划中，并与其他部门一起进行预防工作。更多的融资和更好地利用融资手段将扩大和改善WaSH服务。概述的经验教训表明，政府为应对当前的大流行病并从大流行中恢复而进行了无悔投资；改善日常生活，为将来的大流行做好准备。更多的融资和更好地利用融资手段将扩大和改善WaSH服务。概述的经验教训表明，政府为应对当前的大流行病并从大流行中恢复而进行了无悔投资；改善日常生活，为将来的大流行做好准备。更多的融资和更好地利用融资手段将扩大和改善WaSH服务。概述的经验教训表明，政府为应对当前的大流行病并从大流行中恢复而进行了无悔投资；改善日常生活，为将来的大流行做好准备。