National Government issues advise on cloth face-mask wearing for the general population
In his update statement on 10 April, Minister of Health. Zweli Mkhize announced that the Department of Health 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 from an infected person.
The use of cloth face-masks is now recommended as an addition to hand-washing and social distancing, for the general population. The cloth face-mask should never be promoted as a primary prevention strategy and should never be promoted separately from hand-washing and social distancing.
It is important to stress that cloth masks are NOT intended to protect the wearer, but may offer protection to other people, should the wearer be unknowingly infected with COVID-19.
To ensure that N95 masks and surgical masks are secured for workers who really need them, the Department of Health has recommended that the cloth face-mask should be used by the general population, while the medical masks are kept for medical purposes.
Dr Mkhize stressed that it is nevertheless important to observe basic rules of the use of cloth face masks to ensure that they are safe for use:
- 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.
Download the Recommended Guidelines for Masks document below
DOH RSA_Recommended-Guidelines-for-Masks_Summary_FINAL09.04.2020_for_distribution
