Mask management

According to WHO, wearing a surgical mask is one of the most preventative measures that can limit the spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19. Therefore, we recommend weather a mask at all times.

For any type of mask, appropriate use and disposal are essential to ensure that they are effective and to avoid any increase in transmission. The following information on the correct use of masks is obtained from practices in health care settings.

• Place the mask carefully, ensuring it covers the mouth
  and nose, and tie it securely to minimize any gaps
  between the face and the mask.
• Avoid touching the mask while wearing it.
• Remove the mask using the appropriate technique: do not
  touch the front of the mask but untie it from behind.
• After removal or whenever a used mask is inadvertently
  touched, clean hands using an alcohol-based hand rub or
  soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Replace masks as soon as they become damp with a new
  clean, dry mask.
• Do not re-use single-use masks.
• Discard single-use masks after each use and dispose of
  them immediately upon removal.

However, the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection or source control, and other personal and community level measures should also be adopted to suppress transmission of respiratory viruses. Whether or not masks are used, compliance with hand hygiene, physical distancing and other infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are critical to prevent human-tohuman transmission of COVID-19.