Surgical masks in the community are only helpful in preventing people who have coronavirus disease from spreading it to others. If you are well, you do not need to wear a surgical mask as there is little evidence supporting the widespread use of surgical masks in healthy people to prevent transmission in public.
Everyone should practise good hygiene to protect against infections. Good hygiene includes:
- washing your hands often with soap and water
- using a tissue and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- avoiding close contact with others, such as touching
Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
If you have a confirmed case, you need to isolate yourself to prevent it from spreading to other people.
All you need to know on Coronavirus
Where do Coronaviruses come from?
What is COVID-19? What is SARS-CoV-2?
Is this coronavirus comparable to SARS or to the seasonal flu (influenza)?
What is the mode of transmission?
How (easily) does Coronavirus spread?
Can someone spread the coronavirus without being sick?
Are some people at more coronavirus risk than others?
Is there a treatment for the COVID-19 disease?
When should I be tested for COVID-19?
How does the Coronavirus spread?
Have there been other coronaviruses?