Guidelines on use of masks by the public: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Posted on: 17/Mar/2020 4:22:07 PM
Medical masks of different size and shapes are available in the market. The common ones are flat pleated masks of woven fabric which covers the nose and mouth and affixed behind the head with straps/ elastic fasteners. There are also conical or duckbill shaped masks with valves (or without valves) that fit in the contour of the face over the nose and mouth but are costlier.
A medical mask, if properly worn, will be effective for 8 hours. If it gets wet in between, it needs to be changed immediately.
While wearing a medical mask, the steps are given below need to be followed. If you do not follow them, you may get infected from the mask itself. These steps are:
- Unfold the pleats; make sure that they are facing down.
- Place over nose, mouth and chin.
- Fit flexible nose piece (a metallic strip that can easily be located) over the nose bridge.
- Secure with tie strings (upper string to be tied on top of the head above the ears - lower string at the back of the neck.)
- Ensure there are no gaps on either side of the mask, adjust to fit.
- While in use, avoid touching the mask.
- Do not let the mask hanging from the neck.
- Change the mask after six hours or as soon as they become wet.
- Disposable masks are never to be reused and should be disposed off.
- While removing the mask great care must be taken not to touch the potentially contaminated outer surface of the mask.
- To remove mask first untie the string below and then the string above and handle the mask using the upper strings.
Disposal of used masks
Used mask should be considered as potentially infected. Masks used by patients/caregivers/close contacts during home care should be disinfected using ordinary bleach solution (5%) or sodium hypochlorite solution (1%) and then disposed of either by burning or deep burial.
