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15th Jun 2020

Everything you need to know about the wearing of face coverings

James Fenton

The government has launched an information campaign to encourage the public to wear face coverings in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The campaign aims to clarify the situations in which people should be wearing face coverings, with official guidelines on Gov.ie saying: ‘Wearing a cloth face covering is recommended in situations where it is difficult to practice social distancing, for example, in shops or on busy public transport. Wearing of cloth face coverings may help prevent people who do not know they have the virus from spreading it to others.’

The campaign also includes dos and don’ts when it comes to wearing a face mask and you can view the list in full below…

Do:

  • clean your hands properly before you put it on
  • practise 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 covering
  • 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 covering while wearing it – if you do, clean your hands properly
  • use a damp or wet medical mask or reuse a medical mask
  • share masks
  • do not 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
  • do not discard masks in public places

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBc4aFnHg0T/?igshid=qxhh1p28o2vd

The following advice was also issued on how to take a face covering 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

Everything you need to know about the government’s campaign on the use of face coverings can be found here.

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