When to wear face coverings and how to make them
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Wearing of cloth face coverings not only help protect you, but also prevent people who do not know they have COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from spreading it to others.
If you wear one, you should still do the important things necessary to prevent the spread of the virus.
These include:
A face covering is a covering of any type which covers your nose and mouth with no visible gaps. Face shields and visors are generally not an appropriate type of face covering but people who might have difficulties breathing or a disability or another specific reasonable excuse may wear a face shield or visor instead of a face covering.
Wearing a cloth face covering in public may reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community. It may help to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets from people infected with COVID-19.
Cloth face coverings may help to stop people who are not aware they have the virus from spreading it.
If you have COVID-19 or have symptoms of the virus, you must self-isolate. Do this even if you wear a face covering.
Face coverings must be worn in the following locations:
Wearing of face coverings is also recommended in the following circumstances:
The vast majority of people are already wearing face coverings in shops. Shop owners and managers of premises should engage with people entering or in their premises to inform them that they need to wear face coverings and should promote compliance.
To date the Gardaí have adopted an approach of engaging with the public to educate and encourage people to abide by the measures in place and to only use enforcement as a last resort.
It is an offence for a person not to wear a face covering without reasonable excuse in respect of which a Garda may issue a fixed penalty notice of €80.
The vast majority of the public are complying and the expectation is that they will continue to do so and that penalties would only arise in very rare cases.
Posters on use of face coverings are available in English and Irish and can be downloaded here.
Face coverings are made from cloth materials such as cotton, silk, or linen.
You can buy them or make them at home using items such as scarfs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels.
Face coverings are not recommended for anyone who:
In these cases, if the person can wear a visor, it will give them some protection. But these are the only times when you should wear a visor. Cloth face coverings are a better way to protect yourself from COVID-19.
To make a cloth face covering at home:
You should throw out a cloth face covering when it:
Do:
Don't:
To take it off properly:
Medical masks (surgical and respirator) are for healthcare workers. Some workers in specific jobs also use them. They are vital supplies and are not intended for use by the public in the community. We want to try and make sure that medical face masks are kept for health care workers.
This is a prototype - your feedback will help us to improve it.