Face mask and hygiene advice
Basic hygiene measures are crucial way to cease the spread of infections, including the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Primary hygiene measures embrace:
hand hygiene – that’s, washing arms regularly with soap and water, or cleansing with hand sanitiser
staying at home in case you are sick
coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow after which performing hand hygiene
cleaning surfaces regularly.
The usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), similar to face masks can reduce the spread of an infection when used correctly and in the appropriate context. This may be beneficial in workplaces where individuals are more prone to are available in contact with the disease.
Use of face masks
For most individuals locally, PPE comparable to face masks will not be recommended. Nonetheless, for folks with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, the WHO recommends that there could also be benefit in wearing a face mask to reduce the spread of an infection to different people.
Easy methods to accurately wear and remove a face masks
If you are unwell or have a job which requires you to be in close contact with people who could have coronavirus, it is recommended you utilize a face mask. It is crucial that face masks are worn and removed correctly. Masks ought to fit snugly and fully cover your nose and mouth.
The right way to wear a mask:
wash arms with cleaning soap and water or use hand sanitiser
place over nose, mouth and chin
fit flexible nostril piece over nose bridge
safe on head with ties or elastic
adjust to fit – secure in your head, fitting snugly round your face with no gaps
avoid touching or adjusting your masks throughout use.
How you can remove a masks:
wash palms with soap and water or use hand sanitiser
keep away from touching the entrance of the mask
if the masks has ties, untie the underside, then high tie
remove from face
discard, don’t use once more
wash palms with soap and water or use hand sanitiser immediately.
Use of PPE in the workplace
Workplaces the place people can keep more than 2 metres contact distance from individuals with potential COVID19 signs – Facemasks and gloves usually are not recommended.
Examples of those workplaces embrace – education amenities, pharmacies, shops
People who, as a result of nature of their job, may be unable to keep up more than 2 metres contact distance from people with potential COVID19 signs – facemasks and gloves are really useful when this contact is prone to occur.
Examples of these workplaces include – Police, jail employees, customs staff
These recommendations are a guide only and workplace settings not listed within the table should consider their ability to keep up the two metres rule and use the table to tell their use of PPE. Generally, surgical/medical masks prevent the dispersal of droplets by an contaminated affected person and the inhalation of droplets if within 2 metres of a coughing individual.
Hand hygiene and cough / sneeze etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues and wash hands) can have a bigger impact.