IFRC guidance on the generalised use of cloth face masks on COVID-19

The use of medical masks, respirators, and other face coverings is a widely discussed intervention in the response to COVID-19. There is no strong evidence either in favor of or against the widescale use of masks by members of the general public.
WHO’s recommendation is that medical personal protective equipment (PPE) such as medical masks and respirators should be reserved for two categories of people: 1) people involved in the care of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases, and 2) people who are suspected of or confirmed to have COVID-19.

Guidance is available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Portuguese (1), Portuguese (2), and Russian.

Are you sure you want to delete this "resource"?
This item will be deleted immediately. You cannot undo this action.

Related Resources

Guidance material
29 Apr 2015
This guidance has been developed to facilitate internal advocacy regarding cash transfer programming. It provides the materials required to run an awareness session for senior representatives of a National Society on the nature of cash transfer progr...
Tags: Guidance material
Game, Guidance material
07 May 2020
Con las escuelas cerradas en todo el mundo, los niños están en casa buscando actividades atractivas mientras los padres y tutores están ocupados trabajando. También pueden tener preguntas sobre el coronavirus y deben aprender cómo mantenerse a s...
Tags: Game, Guidance material, COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Disaster Preparedness Games
Guidance material
17 Jul 2014
This manual is intended to help health professionals and public health coordinators working in emergency situations prevent, detect and control the major communicable diseases encountered by affected populations. Authors: World Health Organization P...
Tags: Guidance material, Communicable Disease
Scroll to Top