New Delhi: The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has warned against the use of N-95 valved respirator masks, saying that these masks do not prevent the COVID-19 from spreading and are in fact, “detrimental” to the containment efforts.
In a letter to all States, the DGHS said, “It has come to our knowledge that the use of valved respirator N-95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of coronavirus as they do 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.”
The Health Ministry has emphasized the need to wear at least home-made protective cover for the face and mouth whenever people step out of their residences.
The covers must be washed and cleaned each day and that only cotton cloth must be used, it said.
“Never share the face cover with anyone. Every member in a family should have a separate face cover,” it further said.