Surgical masks should be changed every four hours: NHSL Chief Nurse

People should keep in mind to wear medical or surgical face masks only upto a maximum of four hours, Chief Nurse of the National Hospital Pushpa Ramyani Zoysa advised.

“Following the health recommendations issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) people should wear face masks as a protective measure for the COVID-19 virus,” she said.

She also advised the public to wear fabric masks unless people are in a particular risk group.

“This is especially important when people cannot stay physically distanced, especially in crowded and poorly ventilated indoor settings,” she said.

However, the WHO had recommended wearing a medical/surgical mask for people over 60 years of age, people having underlying medical conditions, people who felt unwell or people who are taking care of a sick person, the spokesperson said.

She also requested to wash face masks using soap and to insert the mask in boiling water for about one minute to kill the COVID-19 virus.

“Masks could be washed in washing machines or using 0.1 strength chlorine mixed with water,” she said.

It is better to wear homemade face masks made of cotton (for the face side), synthetic (middle) and polyester (outer side) in three layers to filter more air without the virus, she added.(Chaturanga Samarawickrama)