Health ministry clarifies use of masks
Posted: Sat May 02, 2020 9:27 pm
The use of masks for the general public is recommended but not mandatory, the health ministry clarified on Friday, with the exception of certain workers.
The ministry reiterated it is a recommended measure and must never replace other safety measures like social distancing, hand washing, cleaning surfaces and natural ventilation.
The use of masks is mandatory for people working in public transport such as bus drivers, people working indoors in private businesses and government services which deal with customer service such as post offices, citizens service, couriers and points where people can pay their bills such as the electricity authority, water board, Cyta and local authorities.The same rule applies to people working in immediate public service in retail such as suppliers, people at supermarket tills, bakeries, pharmacies, local bazaars, fish shops, fruit shops, kiosks, mini markets and retailers such as clothes or make up shops.
The price cap for single use surgical masks according to a health ministry decree issued on April 15 has been set at €0.70 per item (€27.37 for 50). Any violation of the decree should be reported to the consumers’ line at 1429.
According to recommendations of the health ministry’s scientific advisory committee, the most suitable mask for the general public is the simple surgical masks. All other masks such as paper masks or those with filters do not fall under the ministry’s recommendations and “do not serve the precautions for personal hygiene.”
People are also recommended to purchase masks from credible points of sale, that the masks have the CE compliance label and they are packaged in a secure way.
A mask should cover the face from the top of the nose, the mouth and chin. Before a mask is put on or removed, people should wash their hands with soap and water or disinfectant. Masks should be removed from the back; the front of the mask should not be touched. It should immediately be disposed in a bin.
The ministry reiterated it is a recommended measure and must never replace other safety measures like social distancing, hand washing, cleaning surfaces and natural ventilation.
The use of masks is mandatory for people working in public transport such as bus drivers, people working indoors in private businesses and government services which deal with customer service such as post offices, citizens service, couriers and points where people can pay their bills such as the electricity authority, water board, Cyta and local authorities.The same rule applies to people working in immediate public service in retail such as suppliers, people at supermarket tills, bakeries, pharmacies, local bazaars, fish shops, fruit shops, kiosks, mini markets and retailers such as clothes or make up shops.
The price cap for single use surgical masks according to a health ministry decree issued on April 15 has been set at €0.70 per item (€27.37 for 50). Any violation of the decree should be reported to the consumers’ line at 1429.
According to recommendations of the health ministry’s scientific advisory committee, the most suitable mask for the general public is the simple surgical masks. All other masks such as paper masks or those with filters do not fall under the ministry’s recommendations and “do not serve the precautions for personal hygiene.”
People are also recommended to purchase masks from credible points of sale, that the masks have the CE compliance label and they are packaged in a secure way.
A mask should cover the face from the top of the nose, the mouth and chin. Before a mask is put on or removed, people should wash their hands with soap and water or disinfectant. Masks should be removed from the back; the front of the mask should not be touched. It should immediately be disposed in a bin.