N-95 masks "detrimental" to COVID-19 control measures, says Govt

Guwahati: The Central Government of India has warned all states and union territories against the usage of N-95 masks with valved respirators by people as a protective measure against the COVID-19 disease.

Officials have said that these masks don't prevent the virus from spreading out and are "detrimental" to the measures adopted for its containment. The Director-General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, in a letter to the Principal Secretaries of health and medical education of states, has observed that there is "inappropriate use" of N-95 masks, especially those with valved respirators, by the public other than designated health workers.

"It is to bring to your knowledge that the use of valved respirator N-95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of coronavirus as it does 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," DGHS Rajiv Garg wrote in the letter. "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", he further added.

It has been reported that the government had issued an advisory on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth, asking people to wear it, particularly when they step out of their residences.

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