When to wear face masks and how to make them

With effect from Monday 28 February 2022, the mandatory requirement to wear masks has been removed. The public health advice remains that masks should continue to be worn on public transport and in healthcare settings.

Mask wearing is also advised based on individual risk assessment. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask should not be discouraged from doing so. Vulnerable individuals are advised to consider wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, such as social gatherings or other activities and events.

Wearing a face mask not only helps protect you, but also prevents people who do not know they have COVID-19 from spreading it to others.

If you wear one, you should still do the important things necessary to prevent the spread of the virus.

These include:

• covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze
• not touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
• physical distancing (keeping at least 2 metres away from other people)
• ventilation (open windows and doors)
• cleaning your hands properly and often

Wearing a medical grade face mask instead of a cloth mask is advised for greater protection against COVID-19.

There are many different types of masks available to you:

• medical grade masks
• respiratory/FFP2 masks
• cloth masks

A medical grade mask, if properly worn, offers greater protection than cloth masks.

A medical grade mask, also known as a surgical mask, is a three-layered, disposable mask. The masks are typically blue or white coloured, labelled as ‘medical’ and carry a CE marking.

Any mask you choose should be well-fitted and worn properly.

A respirator /FFP2 mask is a multi-layered mask and has similar filtration values as a medical grade mask.

Respirators provide a tight fit around the wearer’s face and are particularly effective against aerosol transmission. If a respirator, or any face mask, is loose fitting or not worn correctly, it will not offer the same level of protection.

Wearing a cloth face mask in public may reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community. It may help to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets from people infected with COVID-19. They are usually made from cotton or silk and should have at least 2 layers of fabric.

All types of masks, including cloth masks, can significantly reduce community transmission if properly made, well fitted, and appropriately worn.

Face shields and visors are generally not an appropriate type of face mask but people who might have difficulties breathing or a disability or another specific reasonable excuse may wear a face shield or visor instead of a face mask.

If you have COVID-19 or have symptoms of the virus, you must self-isolate. Do this even if you wear a face mask.

It is recommended that the following groups wear a medical grade or FFP2 mask where possible and not a cloth mask:

• all individuals aged over 12 years old with a positive COVID-19 test result
• all individuals aged over 12 years old with symptoms of COVID-19

Face masks are no longer mandatory, but you should still wear masks:

• on public transport
• in healthcare settings

Mask wearing is also advised based on individual risk assessment. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask should not be discouraged from doing so. Vulnerable individuals are advised to consider wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, such as social gatherings or other activities and events.

Who should not wear one

Face masks are not recommended for anyone who:

• has trouble breathing
• is unconscious or incapacitated
• is unable to remove it without help
• has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing them
• needs to communicate with someone who has learning difficulties, is hard of hearing or deaf

In these cases, if the person can wear a visor, it will give them some protection. But these are the only times when you should wear a visor. Cloth face masks are a better way to protect yourself from COVID-19.

What they are made from

Face masks are made from cloth materials such as cotton, silk, or linen.

You can buy them or make them at home using items such as scarfs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels.

• cut two rectangles of tightly-woven cotton about 25cm x 15cm
• fold and stitch the top and bottom edges
• fold and stitch the side edges, leaving a gap big enough to thread elastic through
• thread two 15cm lengths of elastic through the side edges and tie tight. Hair ties or string, cut longer and tied behind the head, will work
• tuck elastic knots inside the edges of the mask and stitch in place for a neater finish

When to throw it out

You should throw out a cloth face mask when it:

• no longer covers the nose and mouth
• has stretched out or has damaged ties or straps
• cannot stay on the face
• has holes or tears in the fabric

Do:

• clean your hands properly before you put it on
• practice using it so you are comfortable putting it on and taking it off
• make sure it is made from a fabric you are comfortable wearing
• cover your mouth and nose with it and make sure there are no gaps between your cloth face mask
• tie it securely
• carry unused masks in a sealable clean waterproof bag (for example, a ziplock bag)
• carry a second similar type bag to put used masks in

Don't:

• touch a mask or face mask while wearing it - if you do, clean your hands properly
• use a damp or wet medical mask or reuse a medical mask
• share masks
• lower your mask to speak, eat and smoke or vape - if you need to uncover your nose or mouth, take the mask off and put it in the bag for used masks
• discard masks in public places

Taking off a cloth face mask

To take it off properly:

• remove it from behind - do not touch the front of the mask
• do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth
• clean your hands properly
• put disposable masks in a bin straight away