Guidelines for the use of Masks

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MINISTRY OF HEALTH

What are the types of masks on the Ugandan market?

There are two types of masks on the Ugandan market namely: Medical

Non- Medical

• The medical masks include; N95, KN95 and surgical

masks. • The non-medical masks are made out of fabric (cloth) • Medical masks should be preserved for health

workers in health facilities and are not reusable. Since it is used in a hospital environment, it is highly contaminated by various infectious organisms and its reuse is risky.

How do face masks work? • COVID-19 is spread through sneezing, coughing, talking and breathing.

• When an infected person wears a face mask, the mask blocks the virus from spreading through sneezing, coughing, talking and breathing.

• The mask also prevents droplets from an infected person reaching the nose and mouth of the person wearing it.

What type of masks should be used by the community?

• The community is encouraged to use non-medical masks (masks made out of fabrics e.g. cotton masks

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A 2 layered cotton masks with a filter material e.g. paper towel or coffee filter or polypropylene (the material often used for non-plastic shopping bags placed between the 2 layers may improve the mask

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This material acts as a filter and can be removed before washing. Polypropylene is washable and reusable

How protective are cloth and other face masks?

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When a double cloth mask is used with a filter inside, its protectiveness over 95%. (Report from CDC)

Who should wear a mask?

• All adults • Children aged 6 years and above

People with breathing difficulties should seek advice from medical personnel. Children aged 2-

6

years

are very active and cannot take

care of their masks and observe hygiene. They should only put on masks under close supervision

. Children below 2 years should not wear a mask as they

have a small lung capacity

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Guidelines for the use of Masks

When should one wear a mask? • When going to public places – e.g. work, public transport, markets, supermarkets, shops, classrooms, places of worship, healthcare facilities etc

• When acceptable social distancing is not possible • When one has a cough, cold or sore throat even when

at home • When at home and visited by a person who is not part

of the household • When in any congested area • At work places, especially when with colleagues • Do NOT wear a mask when running, jogging, or doing

other physical activities • It is not necessary to wear a mask when you are alone

in the car but have it ready in case of another passenger or when you step out.

Do I still need to stay at least 2 meters away from people when wearing a mask?

• Yes, because infection can still go through your eyes and touching other surfaces.

How should one put on the mask?

• To put on the mask, hold onto the straps or loops and place it over the nose and mouth all the way to the chin

• Avoid touching the front and inner sides of the mask • The mask should be kept on even when talking • In case of need to remove the mask like for eating or

drinking, the mask should be removed completely by holding on to the straps and folded with the inner side in and placed in a clean container such as an envelope. It may also be hanged on nails, hooks etc, in such a way that it does not touch any surfaces

• Wash hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer whenever one touches the front or inside of the mask

Does the use of mask remove

against COVID-19?

The masks only complement and does not remove other precautions: • Maintain periodic hand hygiene (washing with soap

and water or hand sanitizer • Maintain a social distance of at least 2 meters • Avoid touching the mouth, eyes and the nose

How should one care for the mask?

• Ensure the mask covers the nose, mouth and chin when wearing it.

• Keep the mask hanged in a clean area or in a clean envelope/container when not wearing it

• Wash and dry re-useable fabric (cotton) mask daily. • Remove the filter before washing the mask. • If the filter is washable (e.g. polypropylene) wash and

dry it separately

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the need for other precautions

Guidelines for the use of Masks

For more information, call the Ministry of Health toll free line on:919, 0800 100066, 0800 303033 & 0800203033 or send a free SMS

to Ureport on 8500 or WhatsApp on 0770818139

What care precautions should be taken when handling another person’s mask?

• Handle with the knowledge that other people’s masks are potentially infectious

• Observe hand hygiene after handling masks • Ensure that the mask does not come into contact

with one’s mouth, eyes or nose

Can wearing a mask and repeated use of sanitizer interfere with one’s immunity?

• No. • Masks and sanitizers reduce the load of the

undesirable germs but do not interfere with the immunity

Should air conditioning be used in cars, offices, places of worship etc during this time of COVID-19?

• It is not advisable to use air conditioning • A well-ventilated place with free air circulation is

advised.

Specifications for homemade masks

• Preferably100% cotton • Double layered with a pouch for a filter which may be

polypropylene, tissue or toilet paper • It should be wide enough to cover the nose, mouth

and the chin • The loops should not be too tight for comfort

Where can I buy a mask? • Ministry of Health has provided specifications for the fabric masks to the general public

• These specifications should be observed when one is buying a home-made or factory-made mask.

• Masks on sale should be sealed in a transparent polyethene to avoid contamination and repeated trying on.

• Wash and iron fabric masks before use

Disposal of masks • Fabric masks can be re-used as they are washable. They can be used as long as the fabric is not worn out, develops holes or is so thin that light can be seen through it.

• When the above happens, dispose by burning or throwing in a pit latrine

DON’Ts • Do NOT pick medical masks that have been disposed • Do NOT share masks even with close family members. • Do NOT re-use medical masks • Do NOT borrow masks • Do NOT buy medical masks from the streets.

Will I be penalized for NOT wearing a mask?

• Yes. • Wearing masks is mandatory in Uganda as per the

Presidential Directive and the Statutory Instrument. • You will be denied access to ANY public facilities

without a MASK

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