COVID-19: 2 types of contagion dam face mask
The Ministry of Health has outlined two types of face masks that can be used to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Director-General of Health, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, said it was a medical and non-medical face mask.
However, he said, non-medical face masks of the type of fabric available in the market, may not meet the characteristics recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Therefore, he said, the face mask can be used for public use but its effectiveness may vary, depending on the type and number of layers of fabric used.
"Medical face masks such as three ply surgical masks, used by health workers, the general public have respiratory symptoms, high-risk people such as the elderly (aged 60 and above) as well as those with chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
"The use of non-medical face masks is recommended for those who do not experience symptoms but are in places where physical imprisonment is difficult to practice," he said in a statement, today.
However, Dr Noor Hisham explained that face masks should not be worn by children under two years old, those who have difficulty breathing and individuals who are unconscious, incapable or unable to remove them without assistance.
Touching on the obligation to wear face masks while in public transport and congested areas from the general public starting today, he said, it is one of the strategies to curb COVID-19 infection.
He said those who disobeyed the order would face a fine of RM1,000 according to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
"The use of face masks should be practiced with regular hand hygiene care and safe physical imprisonment, which is at least one meter," he said, calling on the community to give full cooperation to the government in the fight against COVID-19.
SOURCE: BH