The Centre has written to all states and union territories warning against the use of N-95 masks with valved respirator by people, saying these don’t prevent the virus from spreading out and are “detrimental” to the measures adopted for its containment.
The Director-General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, in a letter to the Principal Secretaries of health and medical education of states, said it has been observed that there is “inappropriate use” of N-95 masks, particularly those with the valved respirator, by the public other than designated health workers.
TheDGHS referred to the advisory on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth available on the website of the Ministry of Health.
“It is to bring to your knowledge that the use of valved respirator N-95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of coronavirus as it does not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask. In view of the above, I request you to instruct all concerned to follow the use of face/mouth cover and prevent inappropriate use of N-95 masks,” DGHS Rajiv Garg said in the letter.
Director General of Health Services has written to all states & union territories warning against the use of N-95 masks with valved respirators by people.
1️⃣ Be Alert
2️⃣ Move only if necessary
3️⃣ Follow Social Distance pic.twitter.com/ODPQzfNfs8— Manasvi Thapar मनस्वी थापर ?? (@ManasviThapar) July 21, 2020
Wearing a mask, when outside in public place, is mandatory in India. Some states have also imposed fine on violators if they do not wear face masks while going outside.
“To ensure safety wear home-made reusable face-cover/mask properly, especially while stepping out of your home,” the Ministry of Health said in a tweet.
The government had in April issued an advisory on the usage of homemade protective cover for face and mouth, asking people to wear it, particularly, when they step out of their residence. The advisory stressed such face covers must be washed and cleaned each day, as instructed, and stated that any used cotton cloth can be used to make this face cover. The color of the fabric does not matter but one must ensure that the fabric is washed well in boiling water for five minutes and dried well before making the face cover. Adding salt to this water is recommended, it said.
It also listed the procedures of making such homemade masks, asking to ensure it fits the face well and there are no gaps on the sides. “Never share the face cover with anyone. Every member in a family should have separate face cover,” the advisory stated.
Mean-while, New coronavirus cases in India rose 37,148 in the past 24 hours, pushing its tally past the 11.5 lakh mark today, while the total number of recoveries crossed 7.24 lakh, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The death toll due to the disease rose to 28084 with 587 fatalities reported in one day. The data updated today showed that the total number of COVID-19 cases stands at 1155191.
