Covid-19 daily updates: Government makes mask mandatory - Here is how to wear mask properly

Covid-19 spike in India: India recorded 11,109 new coronavirus infections, the highest in 236 days, while the active cases increased to 49,622, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll climbed to 5,31,064 with 29 deaths. As per the guidelines issued by Noida Health Department, wearing face masks is mandatory in offices, schools, colleges, hospitals, malls, cinema halls and public transport. Anyone who is not wearing a mask will not be allowed entry.

The new rule mandates people to use masks at places with more than 100 people- government offices, malls, and other locations. At the workplace, the guidelines have suggested using sanitisers, proper cleaning of offices, thermal temperature scanners at office entries, and work-from-home option for employees showing signs of cold, cough, fever, and flu and suggested Covid test for them.

According to the guidelines, “People with comorbidities related to kidney, heart, liver, blood, respiratory, diabetes should particularly take caution and avoid going out of homes to the extent possible while using face masks even inside the home.”  

Here is how to wear a mask properly to make it effective as possible

Step 1: Clean your hands before you put your mask on, as well as before and after you take it off, and after you touch it at any time.

Step 2: Make sure it covers both your nose, mouth and chin.  

Step 3: When you take off a mask, store it in a clean plastic bag, and every day either wash it if it’s a fabric mask or dispose of a medical mask in a trash bin.

Step 4: Don’t use masks with valves.