Proper use and disposal of sanitary masks

With new regulations in Phuket for the compulsory use of sanitary face masks, it is important to know how to properly use and dispose of sanitary masks. The World Health Organisation has created some instructional videos and provided recommendations to keep the mask the most effective possible while at the same time ensuring it’s proper maintenance and disposal.

While the WHO continues to recommend the use of sanitary masks only for those who display symptoms or for those caring for patients who are infected, it is important to remember it is now compulsory and enforced in many provinces, including Phuket.

• Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
• Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.
• To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Phuket Governor Phakkhaphong Thawiphat says that the Phuket Committee for Communicable Disease has agreed to enforce the order as the Covid-19 situation is escalating as the number of infected people continues to rise.

“Under this order, every person must wear a sanitary or cloth face mask when leaving their residences, and they must not do anything that could jeopardise public safety or spread of the virus.”

“Those who disobey the order will violate Section 51 of the Communicable Disease Act 2558.”

Violators of this compulsatory order can face a fine of up to 20,000 baht.

If you can not locate disposable sanitary masks, you can make your cloth masks. Click HERE for a tutorial.

SOURCE World Health Organisation