Using a face mask can help reduce its spread COVID-19, reports the ECDC, noting that it reduces the release of respiratory droplets from asymptomatic / pre-symptomatic individuals or from individuals with mild non-specific symptoms.
The use of a face mask for this purpose can be adopted to reduce the social impact associated with absence from work or the pressures of health care due to infection or to protect vulnerable people in certain environments.
Especially when it comes to outdoors, when the goal is to limit transmission to the community and physical distance is not possible, the use of a face mask should be considered in busy areas.
Also, the use of a face mask should be considered one of the possible measures in public places, such as shops, supermarkets, transport hubs (eg ports, airports, train stations / coaches) and public transport.
At the same time, the use of a medical face mask at home should be considered for people with symptoms. COVID-19 or for a confirmed case COVID-19 and for people who share their household, especially when it is not possible to isolate the person with the symptoms or the confirmed case.
In care areas, face masks should be considered to protect vulnerable people, such as the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. In this case, face masks can be recommended for both vulnerable people and people who interact regularly with this population.
Source: RES-EAP