Masks - Ottawa Public Health

Last revised on September 1, 2020.

Learn more on the Temporary Mandatory Mask By-law. 

Wearing a mask helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and helps protect people who are around you. Since some people may have the COVID-19 virus and not know it, everyone should wear a mask when they go into an area where they might come into contact with other people. When you wear a mask, you are helping to protect other people. When other people wear a mask, they are helping to protect you. It is now mandatory to wear a mask in many indoor public spaces, in common areas of multi-unit residential buildings and some outdoor public spaces, as designated.

Wearing a mask does not replace other protective measures including physical distancing, hand washing, covering your cough or sneeze, not touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, self-monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms, and staying home when you are sick.

About Masks and Face Coverings

 

There are many types of masks you can wear. A mask can be a cloth (non-medical) mask, a disposable (non-medical) mask, or a medical mask. A face covering can include a bandana, a scarf, or a cloth. A mask should securely covers the nose, mouth and chin, and be in contact with the surrounding face without gapping, and can filter respiratory droplets.

When buying or making a mask you should look for a mask that has:  

  • Two or three layers of tightly woven, but breathable, cloth such as cotton, flannel or quilting cotton 
  • A secure fitting to cover the nose, mouth, and chin. Should be in contact with the face without gapping
  • No seams over the mouth and nose through which air may leak
  • Horizontal pleats to help fit a variety of faces (pleats face downward when wearing) 
  • Re-usable fabric that can be washed after use or when damp and dirty

Disposable (non-medical) masks are single use masks and should be disposed properly in a lined garbage bag after use. 

Medical masks and N95 respirators should be reserved for health care workers in specific high-risk settings and are not recommended for day-to-day activities. It is important preserve supplies of these masks for the health care workers. Masks with exhalation valves are not recommended, because they do not protect others from COVID-19 and do not limit the spread of the virus.

For health care workers looking for information on personal protective equipment, please refer to our section on Infection Prevention and Control. 

Current evidence on community mask wearing

Community mask use

There is increasing scientific evidence of the effectiveness of masks to prevent community transmission leading to provincial, national and international public health organizations recommending the wearing of masks when physical distancing cannot be assured.

Evidence shows that mask use supported by social norms and government policies is associated with less mortality from COVID-19.

  • Wearing a mask helps to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Benefits are increased when masks are worn properly (securely cover the nose, mouth and chin without gapping)
  • Mask use should be combined with other protective measures, such as physical distancing, hand washing, not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands, and staying home if you are sick

Plastic face shields

Evidence shows that plastic face shields alone are NOT equivalent to wearing a mask.

For more information on the role of masks in prevention of COVID-19, please visit:

Original article: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/masks.aspx