the goan I network
PANAJI
The Director of Health on Tuesday issued guidelines on the use of face masks by the public as per the directions of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
As per the guidelines, healthy persons with no symptoms need not use medical face masks as it can lead to a false sense of security resulting in the neglect of other essential measures such as frequent washing of hands with soap for 40 seconds or with an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 70 per cent ethanol for 20 seconds, covering face with handkerchief or tissue paper or even flexed elbow while sneezing and coughing, refraining from touching one’s face, mouth, eyes and nose and staying at least a metre away from those who have a cough or are sneezing.
It has been informed that repeated use of the same mask for longer than six hours should be avoided as it can in fact, increase the risk of getting an infection.
The mask may be used when one develops a cough or fever. Use of three-layer medical masks prevents the spread of germs from an ill person to healthy people around. The mask should also be used while visiting a health facility and when caring for an ill person.
The correct use and disposal of masks has also been stressed upon. Videos about these matters are available on WHO website for
all to watch.
