The use of masks is part of a comprehensive package of the prevention and control measures that can limit the spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19.
Masks can be used either for protection of healthy persons (worn to protect oneself when in contact with an infected individual) or for source control (worn by an infected individual to prevent onward transmission).
However, the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection or source control, and other personal and community level measures should also be adopted to suppress transmission of respiratory viruses. Whether or not masks are used, compliance with hand hygiene, physical distancing and other infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are critical to prevent human-tohuman transmission of COVID-19.
The use of masks is part of a comprehensive package of the
prevention and control measures that can limit the spread of
certain respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19.
Masks can be used either for protection of healthy persons
(worn to protect oneself when in contact with an infected
individual) or for source control (worn by an infected
individual to prevent onward transmission).
However, the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide an
adequate level of protection or source control, and other
personal and community level measures should also be
adopted to suppress transmission of respiratory viruses.
Whether or not masks are used, compliance with hand
hygiene, physical distancing and other infection prevention
and control (IPC) measures are critical to prevent human-tohuman transmission of COVID-19.