COVID-19: When and how to use a face mask

From the beginning of the pandemic, we've all had to get into new habits to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Washing our hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds and keeping a distance of about 1.5 metres from other people are an important part of this. Wearing a mask can help to prevent the disease from spreading, but only if you wear it correctly.

In April 2020, the National Department of Health recommended that all South Africans wear cloth face masks when leaving their homes. By wearing a cloth mask in areas where there are many people, it creates a barrier so you can protect yourself and others from the virus.

• Worried about how you feel when breathing through a face mask?

A cloth face mask helps protect you and others around you from the COVID-19 virus by containing the droplets when you talk, cough or sneeze. These droplets are how the disease spreads. You should also keep washing your hands and practise physical distancing. Everyone should wear a cloth mask since you can spread the virus even if you don't have symptoms of COVID-19. You can wear a cloth face mask again after washing and ironing it.

• Find out what you need to know about wearing and making a cloth face mask

The World Health Organization and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) have recommended that only healthcare workers wear medical masks like the N95 or surgical masks. The WHO updated their recommendation in June 2020 to include people over the age of 60 and anyone with an underlying health condition. So, if you are at higher risk of getting COVID-19, you should wear a medical-grade mask. Everyone else should wear cloth face masks.

How to wear a face mask

Here's what the World Health Organization has to say.

Putting the mask on

1. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water (wash for 20 to 40 seconds).
2. Pick up your mask by its strings and inspect it. If it is damaged or dirty, don't wear it.
3. Pull out the elastics on either side and secure them behind your ears or tie the mask's strings securely behind your head.
4. Make sure that the mask covers your nose, mouth and chin and fits well. There must be no gaps between your face and the mask.
5. Do not touch your mask while wearing it. If you accidentally do, clean your hands.

Removing the mask

1. Before touching the mask, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water (wash for 20 to 40 seconds).
2. Take hold of the elastics from behind your ears or untie the strings behind your head.
3. Do not touch the front of your mask because it may be contaminated with a virus and you will then transmit this onto your hands.
4. Remove the mask holding the strings or elastics and put it into a container that has a lid or directly in the wash. Close the lid.
5. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water (wash for 20 to 40 seconds.)
6. Make sure you have your own mask and do not share with anyone.

Watch these videos on the World Health Organization's website for step-by-step guidance on how to wear a cloth face mask and how to wear a medical mask if you're over 60 or have a medical condition.

The organisation has also published new guidelines on how to make a three-layered cloth face mask:

1. The outer layer should be a water-resistant fabric like polyester or a polyester blend.
2. The inner layer should be a water-absorbent material like cotton.
3. The middle layer acts as a filter and should be made of non-woven materials such as polypropylene.

You can also download these WHO infographics on the dos and don'ts of wearing a cloth face mask.

• Read up on all of the simple preventative habits that protect you from contracting COVID‑19.
• For more information about using cloth masks, visit the NICD's website.
• Find out how Discovery members can stay safe with a reusable Discovery face mask

All medical information found on this website including content, graphics and images, is for educational and informational objectives only. Discovery Health publishes this content to help to protect and empower all South Africans by promoting a better understanding of COVID 19.