New Delhi: Stating that it is ‘detrimental’ to the measures adopted for the containment of the COVID pandemic, the Centre has written to all states and union territories warning against the use of N-95 masks with valved respirators.
The Centre has stated that these masks do not prevent the virus from spreading and has pressed for use of homemade protectibe masks to cover the face and mouth.
The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) in the Ministry of Health, in a letter to the Principal Secretaries of health and medical education of states, said it has been observed that there is “inappropriate use” of N-95 masks, particularly 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 said in the letter.
