Government issues fresh guidelines on using a mask for COVID 19

New Delhi : The highly contagious coronavirus has been extended to 125 people in India and the health authorities are alarmed enough to ensure people are aware on how to avoid spreading of the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the Centre has extended travel ban from the European Union, UK and Turkey.

The Health Ministry has issued fresh set of guidelines on wearing the mask, one of the things people have been purchasing intensely from the market.

According to the guidelines, there is no requirement for everyone to wear the mask.

Only wear a mask if:

* You have symptoms (cough, fever or difficulty in breathing)

* You are caring for a Covid-19 suspect/confirmed patient

* You are a health worker attending to patients with respiratory symptoms

The ministry has also given the process on how to handle the masks.

While wearing a mask, make sure you:

* Unfold pleats of the mask; make sure that they are facing down

* Change the mask after six hours or as soon as it becomes wet

* Place the mask over your nose, mouth and chin and ensure there are no gaps on either side of the mask. Adjust to fit.

* Never reuse disposable masks and dispose the used masks into closed bins after disinfecting them

* Avoid touching the mask while using it

* Do not touch the potentially contaminated outer surface of the mask while removing it

* Do not leave the mask hanging from the neck

* After removal of mask, clean your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub disinfectant

This comes after the reports of black marketing and sale of the masks at a rate more than its MRP. India reported 11 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, taking the total number of infected people to 125, up from 114 a day earlier.

3 people have died so far due to the coronavirus.