HealthInfo Canterbury

Face masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19

Wearing a face mask can reduce the risk of infected people spreading COVID-19. Make sure you have non-medical grade masks ready for each person in your household.

Face masks are useful where there's known community transmission and people are near each other.

• At alert level 1, there's no evidence of community transmission. You don't need to wear a face mask.
• At alert level 2, COVID-19 is contained but there's a risk of community transmission. You should wear a mask when you can't maintain physical distancing. This includes on public transport, in shops and in confined or crowded places. If you're visiting a healthcare setting such as a hospital or your general practice, you should take a mask with you to wear. Wearing masks is one way to help stop community spread from happening.
• At alert level 3, there's a high risk that COVID-19 isn't contained. You're strongly encouraged to wear a face mask when you leave your home. Wearing a mask is a key part of the strategy to stop it spreading further.

If you are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, you should stay at home at all alert levels and seek medical advice. If you need to travel to see a health professional, you should wear a face mask.

See the Government advice about when to wear face coverings at different levels.

Preventing the spread of COVID-19 with face masks

A face mask helps stop droplets spreading when someone speaks, laughs, coughs or sneezes. This includes someone who has COVID-19 but feels well or has no obvious symptoms.

You should use a mask along with other measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These include hand washing, cough and sneeze etiquette, not touching your face and physical distancing.

Types of mask

You don’t need a medical-grade face mask to prevent community transmission. You just need a mask that will create a barrier between your mouth and nose and other people. Your mask can either be a reusable and washable fabric mask or a single-use, disposable mask.

• You can only wear a single-use face mask once and throw it away after wearing it.
• You can wash and reuse fabric face masks.

If you choose reusable fabric masks, you'll still need to buy a few for each member of your whānau/family.

Store unused disposable masks and new or washed reusable masks in a clean resealable plastic bag until you need to use them.

Reusable fabric masks

Fabric masks need to be made of a weave that's tight enough to contain droplets, while still allowing you to breathe easily. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests they should ideally have 3 layers.

• The layer closest to your face should easily absorb droplets when you breathe out. Suitable fabrics include a woven or knit cotton fabric. Use a light colour so you can tell when it's soiled or wet.
• The middle layer acts as a filter. It goes in a pocket between the inner and outer layers. It should be made of a fabric that repels droplets and moisture. Suitable fabrics include polypropylene.
• The outer layer should repel droplets and moisture. Suitable fabrics include synthetic or polyester mixes.

Learn more about fabric masks in the video from the World Health Organisation at the top of this page.

Using a face mask safely

The following information on how to use a mask safely is from the Ministry of Health. Also see this World Health Organisation graphic about how to wear a non-medical fabric mask safely. Click the image to see a larger version.

Safely putting on a face mask

1. Check that your face mask is clean, dry and not damaged.
2. Clean your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser before putting on your mask. Make sure your hands are dry.
3. Place the face mask over your nose and mouth and secure it with ties or loops. Make sure the mask fits snugly and is moulded to your face and around your nose. Make sure the mask fully covers your nose, mouth and chin. Your mask should be comfortable with no gaps around the mask and your face and allow you to breathe easily.
4. Clean your hands again.

Safely wearing a face mask

• Don't touch the front of the face mask. If you do, clean your hands and dry them thoroughly.
• Avoid touching your face. You can introduce infection by touching your eyes or if you aren't wearing your face mask correctly.
• Don't move the face mask during its use. This includes pulling it up or pulling it down below your chin. If you need to remove your mask (to eat, for example), remove it safely. Dispose of it appropriately or wash it if it's a fabric mask. Then clean your hands.
• Replace the face mask if it becomes damp, damaged or soiled.

Safely removing a face mask

1. Clean your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser. Make sure your hands are dry.
2. Remove the face mask from behind by untying the ties or removing the loops and pulling it away from your face. Don't touch the front of the mask. Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth when removing your mask.
3. Clean or dispose of it appropriately.
4. Clean your hands again.

Safely disposing of single-use face masks

1. Put it in a bin with a lid or place it in a bag and seal the bag before putting it in a rubbish bin or taking it home.
2. Clean your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser. Make sure your hands are dry.
3. Don't reuse or try to disinfect single-use disposable face masks.

Cleaning fabric masks

1. After each use, wash the mask in a washing machine with detergent at 60 degrees Celsius.
2. After putting the mask in the washing machine, clean your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser. Make sure your hands are dry.
3. Dry the mask completely before you use it again. Don't use a damp mask.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• New Zealand Government COVID-19 website – Wear a face covering

  Information about types of face coverings, when to wear them, how to wear them and making your own.

• Ministry of Health
  • COVID-19: Use of masks in the community

    Information on the use of face masks in the community for COVID-19.

  • COVID-19: How to use a face mask safely

    Information about how to put a face mask on, what to do when wearing it, how to take it off and how to handle it safely after use to avoid the risk of infection.

• World Health Organisation
  • Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19

    Advice on the use of masks in communities, during home care and in health care settings in areas that have reported cases of COVID-19.

  • Q&A: Masks and COVID-19

    Questions and answers on COVID-19 and using masks.

  • When and how to use masks

    Videos, posters and other resources about when and how to use masks.

Adapted from Health Navigator by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created August 2020.

How to wear a non-medical fabric mask safely graphic courtesy of the World Health Organisation.

Page reference: 784607

Review key: HICOV-710714