Using Facemasks Properly

Facemasks are important for preventing infectious respiratory diseases and lowering the risk of COVID-19 infections. Facemasks can prevent patients from spraying droplets, reduce the amount and speed of droplets, and protect the wearers from inhaling droplet nucleus of the virus.

Facemasks have been effective in preventing and controlling COVID-19. On January 30, the NHC published a Guide on Facemask Usage Against Novel Coronavirus-infected Pneumonia. On February 5, the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council published the Technical Guidelines for Selecting and Using Facemasks Against Novel Coronavirus Infection. 

On March 17, in response to work resumption as the disease prevention and control improved, the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism published a Guide on Proper Usage of Facemasks by the Public, providing advice for wearing facemasks under different conditions for the general public, people at specific areas, people with occupational exposure, and key population groups.

Facemasks should be worn and used properly to ensure effective protection. According to relevant guidance, in areas not affected by the disease, facemasks are unnecessary in open and well-ventilated places, but people should wear facemasks when entering crowded or enclosed public places. In high-risk areas, people should wear disposable medical masks in open and well-ventilated places, and wear surgical masks or respirators of grade N95 when entering crowded or enclosed public places. Special groups who may contact suspected or confirmed cases should wear goggles and respirators of grade N95 or above.

When wearing surgical masks, hold the mask with the nose strip on top and the dark-colored side facing outward, pull the mask over the mouth, nose and chins, and pinch the nose strip to conform to the shape of the nose. 

Wash hands according to procedures before wearing a mask and avoid touching the inside of the mask. 

Replace the mask every two to four hours, and change the mask when it is dirty, contaminated, distorted, damaged or smelly. 

Take off the mask with the side touching the nose and mouth folded inward, hang the mask in clean, dry, ventilated place or put it in a clean and ventilated paper bag for reuse. 

Dispose the mask in a specific garbage bin to avoid cross infection. 

Children should not wear the facemasks for adults, and parents should help their children wear facemasks properly. 

Babies cannot wear facemasks, which can pose suffocation risks.

正確使用口罩

口罩是預防呼吸道傳染病的重要防線,可以降低新冠病毒感染風險。口罩不僅可以防止病人噴射飛沫,降低飛沫量和噴射速度,還可阻擋含病毒的飛沫核,防止佩戴者吸入。

新冠肺炎疫情發生以來,口罩在疫情防控中起著重要作用。2020年1月30日,國家衛生健康委印發《預防新型冠狀病毒感染的肺炎口罩使用指南》。2月5日,國務院應對新冠肺炎疫情聯防聯控機制印發《預防新型冠狀病毒感染口罩選擇與使用技術指引》。3月17日,根據疫情防控形勢向好和復工復產需要,聯防聯控機制修訂形成《公眾科學戴口罩指引》,從普通公眾、特定場所人員、職業暴露人員以及重點人員進行分類,并對不同場景下戴口罩提出科學指引的建議。

口罩佩戴的基本原則是科學合理佩戴、規范使用、有效防護。根據相關指南、指引建議,在非疫區空曠且通風場所不需要佩戴口罩,進入人員密集或密閉公共場所需要佩戴口罩。在疫情高發地區空曠且通風場所建議佩戴一次性使用醫用口罩;進入人員密集或密閉公共場所,佩戴醫用外科口罩或顆粒物防護口罩。特殊人群如可能接觸疑似或確診病例的高危人群,建議佩戴醫用防護口罩(N95及以上級別)并佩戴護目鏡。

佩戴醫用外科口罩時,鼻夾側朝上,深色面朝外,上下拉開褶皺,使口罩覆蓋口、鼻及下頜;按捏鼻夾,使之貼緊鼻梁,防止側漏。佩戴口罩前按規程洗手,佩戴時避免接觸口罩內側。口罩佩戴2-4小時更換一次,如口罩臟污、變形、損壞、有異味時也要及時更換。口罩摘下后應將接觸口鼻的一面朝里疊好,如需再次使用,可懸掛在潔凈、干燥通風處,或將其放置在清潔、透氣的紙袋中;如不再使用,應放入固定丟棄處,避免交叉感染。兒童不宜佩戴成人口罩,家長要幫助兒童正確佩戴口罩,并隨時關注佩戴情況,年齡極小的嬰幼兒不能佩戴口罩,易引起窒息。