Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance by WHO Advice on the use of masks in the community | Page 2

Advice on the use of masks in the community, during home care, and in health care settings in the context of COVID-19: interim guidance
Persons with suspected COVID-19 and mild respiratory
symptoms should:
 Perform hand hygiene frequently, using an alcohol-based
hand rub if hands are not visibly dirty or soap and water
when hands are visibly dirty;
 Keep a distance of at least 1 metre from other people;
 Use a medical mask; the mask should be provided to the
individual and worn for as long as possible, if it can be
tolerated, and changed at least once daily. Persons who
cannot tolerate a medical mask should rigorously apply
respiratory hygiene (i.e. cover mouth and nose with a
disposable paper tissue when coughing or sneezing and
dispose of it immediately after use, and then perform
hand hygiene.)
 Improve airflow in their living space by opening
windows and doors as much as possible.
Health-certified N95, European Union standard FFP2,
or equivalent, when performing aerosol-generating
procedures, such as tracheal intubation, non-invasive
ventilation, tracheotomy, cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, manual ventilation before intubation, and
bronchoscopy.
Mask management
If medical masks are worn, appropriate use and disposal are
essential to ensure they are effective and to avoid any increase
in transmission.
The following information on the correct use of medical
masks is derived from practices in health care settings
 Place the mask carefully, ensuring it covers the mouth
and nose, and tie it securely to minimize any gaps
between the face and the mask.
 Avoid touching the mask while wearing it.
 Remove the mask using the appropriate technique: do not
touch the front of the mask but untie it from behind.
 After removal or whenever a used mask is inadvertently
touched, clean hands using an alcohol-based hand rub or
soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
 Replace masks as soon as they become damp with a new
clean, dry mask.
 Do not re-use single-use masks.
 Discard single-use masks after each use and dispose of
them immediately upon removal.
Caregivers or those sharing living space with persons with
mild respiratory symptoms and suspected COVID-19
should:
 Perform hand hygiene frequently, using an alcohol-based
hand rub if hands are not visibly dirty or soap and water
when hands are visibly dirty;
 Keep a distance of at least 1 meter from the affected
person when possible;
 Wear a medical mask when in the same room as the
affected person;
 Dispose of any material contaminated with respiratory
secretions (disposable tissues) immediately after use and
then perform hand hygiene.
 Improve airflow in the living space by opening windows
as much as possible.
Cloth (e.g. cotton or gauze) masks are not recommended
under any circumstances.
Health care facilities
References
Individuals with respiratory symptoms should:
 Wear a medical mask while waiting in triage or other
areas and during transportation within the facility;
 Wear a medical mask when staying in areas dedicated to
suspected or confirmed cases;
 Not wear a medical mask when isolated in single rooms,
but they should cover their mouth and nose when
coughing or sneezing with disposable paper tissues.
Tissues must be disposed of appropriately, and hand
hygiene should be performed immediately afterwards.
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Health care workers should:
 Wear a medical mask when entering a room where
patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are
admitted;
 Use a particulate respirator at least as protective as a
US National Institute for Occupational Safety and
World Health Organization. Home care for patients
with COVID-19 presenting with mild symptoms and
management of contacts: interim guidance (accessed
29 January 2020).
World Health Organization. Infection prevention and
control during health care when COVID-19 is
suspected: interim guidance, (accessed
29 January 2020).
WHO continues to monitor the situation closely for any
changes that may affect this interim guidance. Should any
factors change, WHO will issue a further update. Otherwise,
this interim guidance document will expire 2 years after the
date of publication.
© World Health Organization 2020. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA
3.0 IGO licence.
WHO reference number: WHO/2019-nCoV/IPC_Masks/2020.2
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