Notice on issuing guidelines for the public to wear masks scientifically

Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism Issue [2020] No. 33

Joint prevention and control mechanisms (leading group, headquarters) for the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic in various provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps:

Based on the current prevention and control situation and the need for a comprehensive and orderly restoration of normal production and living order, we organized and compiled the "Guidelines for the Scientific Wearing of Masks by the Public". This guideline classifies the general public, personnel in specific places, key personnel and occupationally exposed personnel, and provides scientific recommendations on wearing masks in different scenarios. It is now issued to you for your reference and implementation.

Public Scientific Guidelines on Wearing Masks

Wearing masks scientifically has a preventive effect against respiratory infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza. It not only protects oneself, but also benefits public health. At present, in the fight against the new coronavirus epidemic, in order to guide the public to wear masks scientifically, effectively prevent and control the epidemic, and protect public health, the following guidelines are proposed.

1. General public

(1) At home and outdoors, no people gather and the ventilation is good.

Protection advice: Do not wear a mask.

(2) In crowded places, such as offices, shopping, restaurants, conference rooms, workshops, etc.; or taking van elevators, public transportation, etc.

Protection suggestions: In medium and low-risk areas, you should carry a spare mask (disposable medical mask or medical surgical mask) with you, and wear a mask when in close contact with other people (less than or equal to 1 meter). In high-risk areas, wear disposable medical masks.

(3) For those with cold symptoms such as coughing or sneezing.

Protection advice: Wear a disposable medical mask or medical surgical mask.

(4) For those who live with those who are isolated at home or recovering from discharge.

Protection advice: Wear a disposable medical mask or medical surgical mask.

2. Personnel in specific places

(1) Located in crowded hospitals, bus stations, railway stations, subway stations, airports, supermarkets, restaurants, public transportation, and entrances and exits of communities and units.

Protection recommendations: In medium and low-risk areas, staff should wear disposable medical masks or medical surgical masks. In high-risk areas, staff should wear medical surgical masks or protective masks that meet KN95/N95 and above levels.

(2) In prisons, nursing homes, welfare homes, mental health medical institutions, as well as w88 casino classrooms, construction site dormitories and other crowded places.

Protection suggestions: In medium and low-risk areas, you should carry a spare mask (disposable medical mask or medical surgical mask) with you every day, and wear a mask when people gather or have close contact with other people (less than or equal to 1 meter). In high-risk areas, staff should wear medical surgical masks or protective masks that meet KN95/N95 and above levels; other personnel should wear disposable medical masks.

3. Key Personnel

Suspected cases, confirmed cases and asymptomatic infections of new coronavirus pneumonia; close contacts of new coronavirus pneumonia; immigrants (from the beginning of entry to the end of isolation).

Protection suggestions: Wear a medical surgical mask or a protective mask without an exhalation valve that meets KN95/N95 and above levels.

4. Occupational exposure personnel

(1) Medical personnel in general outpatient clinics and wards; emergency medical personnel in medical institutions in low-risk areas; administrative personnel, police, security guards, cleaning staff, etc. engaged in epidemic prevention and control.

Protection advice: Wear a medical surgical mask.

(2) Personnel working in wards and ICUs of patients with confirmed and suspected cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia; medical personnel in fever clinics of designated medical institutions; medical personnel in emergency departments of medical institutions in medium- and high-risk areas; personnel in epidemiological investigations, laboratory testing, and environmental disinfection; and personnel transporting confirmed and suspected cases.

Protection advice: Wear medical protective mask.

(3) Operators engaged in collecting respiratory specimens; staff performing tracheotomy, tracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, sputum suction, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or lung transplantation and pathological anatomy of patients with new coronavirus pneumonia.

Protection suggestions: Hood-type (or full-face) powered air supply filtering respirator, or half-face powered air supply filtering respirator with goggles or full screen; both types of respiratory protectors need to use P100 anti-particulate filter elements. The filter elements cannot be reused, and the protective equipment must be disinfected before use.

5. Precautions for use

(1) Respiratory protective equipment includes masks and masks. Wash hands before wearing and after taking off.

(2) When wearing a mask, pay attention to the front and back and the top and bottom. The mask should cover the mouth and nose, and adjust the nose clip to fit the face.

(3) Avoid touching the inside and outside of the mask with your hands when wearing it. The mask should be taken off by removing the strings at both ends.

(4) Wearing multiple masks cannot effectively increase the protective effect. Instead, it increases breathing resistance and may damage the tightness.

(5) There is no evidence to prove the effectiveness of various measures such as cleaning and disinfecting masks.

(6) Disposable medical masks and medical surgical masks are limited to use, and the cumulative use shall not exceed 8 hours. Personnel with occupational exposure should use masks for no more than 4 hours and cannot be reused.

Interpretation of the "Notice on Issuing Guidelines for the Public to Wear Masks Scientifically"

Scientific wearing of masks has a preventive effect on respiratory infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza. It not only protects oneself, but also benefits public health. This is also called "mask civilization". Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus in December 2019, masks have played an important role in epidemic prevention and control. On February 5, the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council in response to the COVID-19 epidemic issued technical guidelines for the selection and use of masks for different groups of people to prevent COVID-19. In the case of shortage of mask resources, scientific guidance should be provided on the selection and use of masks, and on the premise of good protection, over-protection should be reasonably reduced.

Based on the current prevention and control situation and the need for resumption of work and production, and in accordance with the instructions of the Central Steering Group, the prevention and control group organized experts to revise and improve the technical guidelines for the selection and use of masks for different groups of people to prevent COVID-19, forming the "Guidelines for the Public's Scientific Wearing of Masks". This guideline classifies the general public, personnel in specific places, occupationally exposed personnel, and key personnel, and provides scientific guidelines for wearing masks in different scenarios.

1. General public

(1) At home and outdoors, no people gather and the ventilation is good. It is recommended not to wear a mask.

(2) Being in crowded places, such as offices, shopping, restaurants, conference rooms, workshops, etc.; or taking van elevators, public transportation, etc. In medium and low-risk areas, it is recommended to carry a spare mask (disposable medical mask or medical surgical mask) with you and wear a mask when in close contact with other people (less than or equal to 1 meter). In high-risk areas, it is recommended to wear disposable medical masks.

(3) For those with cold symptoms such as coughing or sneezing. It is recommended to wear disposable medical masks or medical surgical masks.

(4) For those who live with people who are isolated at home or recovering from discharge. It is recommended to wear disposable medical masks or medical surgical masks.

2. Personnel in specific places

(1) Located in crowded hospitals, bus stations, train stations, subway stations, airports, supermarkets, restaurants, public transportation, and entrances and exits of communities and units. In medium and low-risk areas, it is recommended that staff wear disposable medical masks or medical surgical masks. In high-risk areas, it is recommended that staff wear medical surgical masks or protective masks that meet KN95/N95 and above levels.

(2) In prisons, nursing homes, welfare homes, mental health medical institutions, as well as w88 casino classrooms, construction site dormitories and other crowded places. In medium and low-risk areas, it is recommended to carry a spare mask (disposable medical mask or medical surgical mask) with you every day, and wear a mask when people gather or have close contact with other people (less than or equal to 1 meter). In high-risk areas, it is recommended that staff wear medical surgical masks or protective masks that meet KN95/N95 and above levels; other personnel wear disposable medical masks.

3. Key Personnel

Suspected cases, confirmed cases and asymptomatic infections of new coronavirus pneumonia; close contacts of new coronavirus pneumonia; immigrants (from the beginning of entry to the end of isolation). It is recommended to wear a medical surgical mask or a protective mask without an exhalation valve that meets KN95/N95 and above levels.

4. Occupational exposure personnel

(1) Medical personnel in general outpatient clinics and wards; emergency medical personnel in medical institutions in low-risk areas; administrative personnel, police, security guards, cleaning staff, etc. engaged in epidemic prevention and control. It is recommended to wear a medical surgical mask.

(2) Personnel working in wards and ICUs of confirmed and suspected cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia; medical personnel in fever clinics of designated medical institutions; medical personnel in emergency departments of medical institutions in medium- and high-risk areas; personnel in epidemiological investigations, laboratory testing, and environmental disinfection; and personnel transporting confirmed and suspected cases. It is recommended to wear a medical protective mask.

(3) Operators engaged in collecting respiratory specimens; staff performing tracheotomy, tracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, sputum suction, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or lung transplant surgery and pathological anatomy of patients with new coronavirus pneumonia. Recommendation: Hood-type (or full-face) powered air supply filtering respirator, or half-face powered air supply filtering respirator with goggles or full screen; both types of respiratory protectors need to use P100 anti-particulate filter elements. The filter elements cannot be reused, and the protective equipment must be disinfected before use.