Cloth face mask recommendations: #MasksCOVID19 #ClothFaceMask @COVID_19_ZA @HealthZA pic.twitter.com/ptNsa4oUFl
— Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) April 10, 2020
Mkhize, who was speaking at a Media briefing said that the face masks should never be promoted as a primary prevention strategy and should never be used separately from hand-washing and social distancing. Mkhize further said that the government is satisfied that there is sufficient scientific evidence to show that the cloth face mask significantly reduces the amount of virus that can be emitted.
“To ensure that N95 masks and surgical masks are secured for workers who really need them, we would like to recommend that the cloth face-mask should be used by the general population.”
The basic rules of the masks’ safe use are as follows:
- The face-mask must cover the nose and mouth completely.
- Face-masks should not be lowered when speaking, coughing or sneezing.
- Face-masks should never be touched – fidgeting with the mask repeatedly is strongly discouraged as it is important to avoid touching the face with hands. The inner side of the mask should not be touched by hands.
- Wash hands before and after donning or removing the face-mask.
- Wash cloth face-masks with warm soapy water and iron when dry. Ironing assists with decontamination
- Change your cloth face mask if it is wet or visibly soiled
- Each person will need to have at least 2 face-masks so that one face-mask is available when the other is being washed.
