The Minister of Health and Social Protection adopted a new guideline No. 1163/1 dated 13.10.2020 pursuant to the Normative Act no. 3. dated 15.03.2020 of the Council of Ministers “On Special Administrative Measures during the period of pandemic caused by Covid-19″ as amended.
This Guideline provides the general criteria, rules and exceptions for the use of protective barriers/masks outdoors in order to mitigate the risk of potential transmission of COVID-19.
Which is the correct use of masks?
To be effective the mask shall be used properly. The principles about the correct use of masks are as follows:
a) The mask should completely cover the nose, mouth and chin;
b) Before putting on and taking off the mask, hands should be cleaned with soap and water or disinfected;
c) The mask should not be touched on the inside when worn;
d) The mask must be removed from its outer part and folded from the outer part;
e) The surgical mask should be thrown in the trash after use;
f) Non-medical textile mask which is reused should be washed after each use at 60°C;
g) The non-medical textile mask should be placed in a bag after use until the moment of washing.
When should the masks be worn?
All individuals over 11 years old should wear a mask outdoors as follows:
a) Any time leaving the house;
b) Throughout the day outside the house;
c) In any store, supermarket or commercial activity;
d) In all means of public and non-public transport when there are other individuals other than the driver in them;
e) While walking on the street;
f) During stay in all open public places as parks or squares;
g) During work activities in offices, all public and non-public institutions, theaters, cinemas, museums, libraries, etc;
h) When entering and exiting the house as well as in elevators;
i) Before and after food consumption in bars and restaurants;
j) On the motorcycle while with another non-family member;
k) When caring for a family member with COVID-19 at home;
l) In all religious institutions;
m) All people who previously have tested positive of SARS COV-2 to protect themselves from other respiratory infectious agents;
n) In educational and health care institutions according to previous recommendations.
In what circumstances are individuals allowed to remove the mask?
Wearing a protective barrier/mask is not possible in every situation. Therefore, modifications of the use of the mask are stipulated as follows:
a) If required for personal identification purposes by relevant officers in police stations, banks, post offices, courts, etc.;
b) When eating or consuming beverages, however the mask should be worn at the entrance and exit of bars and restaurants;
c) During the process of dental treatment, however the mask should be worn at the entrance and exit of the dental clinic;
d) Individuals who hold/lead the prayer/service/religious ceremony;
e) Individuals with hearing and speech loss or individuals when communicating with them, if they do not have the opportunity to use special (transparent) masks;
f) If required by the staff of relevant shops or markets for age identification, including
the purchase of products for the elderly, such as tobacco and alcohol;
g) Workers working outdoors, during the work process when a physical distance of not less than 1.5m is provided;
h) Guests on TV shows provided that the distance is not less than 1.5 meters.
In what circumstances are individuals excluded from using the mask?
The guideline has stipulated that in some exceptional cases the mask should not be worn, as below:
a) In all cases where the use of the mask harms health, as recommended by the family doctor;
b) Individuals suffering from diseases that make them incapable of using the mask;
c) During the exercise of sports activities;
d) Individuals who are riding alone on bicycles, motorcycles or kick scooter;
e) In cases when only the driver of the vehicle or his/her family relatives are in the car;
f) During activities that can cause mask wetting, e.g. while bathing in the pool, lakes or at sea;
g) At home with close family members.
Masks can help reduce the spread of the virus from people who are contagious, including those who have no symptoms, or are yet to develop them. They are not a replacement for social distancing and hand-washing. Masks should cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission.
Individuals that do not use protective barriers/masks as per the requirements set out by this Guideline shall be subject to a fine of ALL 3,000 (for violations of first time) and ALL 5,000 (for repeated violations).
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