Coronavirus: Govt advises people to wear homemade face coverings in public places

Coronavirus: Govt advises people to wear homemade face coverings in public places

NEW DELHI: The government on Saturday issued an advisory urging people to use handmade protective covers for face and mouth to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

In its advisory, the government stressed on the need to maintain social distancing and proper hygiene to ward off infection and suggested that people should use homemade face covers, which are also a good method of maintaining personal hygiene.

We look at what the government advisory has to say on use of face coverings —

1. We are aware that social distancing and personal hygiene are keys to prevent Covid19 infections. Certain countries have claimed benefits of homemade face cover for the general public. Such homemade face cover is a good method for maintaining personal hygiene. Such usage certainly will help in maintaining overall hygienic health conditions.

2. Therefore, it is suggested that such people who are not suffering from medical conditions or having breathing difficulties may use the handmade reusable face cover, particularly when they step out of their house. This will help in protecting the community at large.

3. This face cover is not recommended for either health workers or those working with or in contact with Covid19 patients or are patients themselves as these categories of people are required to wear specified protective gear.

4. It is advised that two sets of such face covers be made so that one can be washed while the other is used. Hand washing would still remain essential criteria and hand should be washed before wearing the face cover. Such face covers should also be thrown anywhere but kept safely, washed properly with soap and hot water and dried properly before they are used.

5. These face covers could be made out of clean cloth available at home, which needs to be thoroughly cleaned and washed before a face cover is stitched/made. The face cover should be prepared in such a manner that it can cover the mouth and nose completely and can be tied over the face easily.

6. There must not be a sharing face covers and a face cover must be used by only one individual. So, in a family of several members, each member should have a separate face cover.