Face masks and hygiene advice
Primary hygiene measures are a very powerful way to stop the spread of infections, together with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Fundamental hygiene measures include:
hand hygiene – that’s, washing fingers recurrently with soap and water, or cleansing with hand sanitiser
staying at dwelling if you’re sick
coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow after which performing hand hygiene
cleaning surfaces regularly.
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), comparable to face masks can reduce the spread of an infection when used accurately and within the appropriate context. This may be recommended in workplaces where people are more likely to come in contact with the disease.
Use of face masks
For most individuals locally, PPE resembling face masks will not be recommended. However, for people with symptoms of an acute respiratory an infection, the WHO recommends that there could also be benefit in wearing a face mask to reduce the spread of infection to other people.
The way to appropriately wear and remove a face masks
If you are unwell or have a job which requires you to be in close contact with individuals who might have coronavirus, it is recommended you employ a face mask. It’s important that face masks are worn and removed correctly. Masks should fit snugly and fully cover your nostril and mouth.
Easy methods to wear a mask:
wash arms with cleaning soap and water or use hand sanitiser
place over nose, mouth and chin
fit versatile nostril piece over nostril bridge
safe on head with ties or elastic
adjust to fit – secure in your head, fitting snugly round your face with no gaps
keep away from touching or adjusting your masks during use.
Learn how to remove a masks:
wash palms with cleaning soap and water or use hand sanitiser
avoid touching the entrance of the masks
if the mask has ties, untie the underside, then high tie
remove from face
discard, do not use again
wash fingers with soap and water or use hand sanitiser immediately.
Use of PPE within the workplace
Workplaces the place people can keep more than 2 metres contact distance from people with potential COVID19 symptoms – Facemasks and gloves aren’t recommended.
Examples of those workplaces embody – schooling amenities, pharmacies, shops
People who, due to the nature of their job, may be unable to take care of more than 2 metres contact distance from individuals with potential COVID19 symptoms – facemasks and gloves are recommended when this contact is more likely to occur.
Examples of those workplaces embrace – Police, jail workers, customs employees
These recommendations are a guide only and workplace settings not listed within the table ought to consider their ability to maintain the 2 metres rule and use the table to tell their use of PPE. Normally, surgical/medical masks stop the dispersal of droplets by an infected 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 fingers) will have a bigger impact.