It has now been recommended for those in stage 3 restriction to wear a face mask if you are over 18, and in an area where you are unable to maintain 1.5m of distance from other people outside of your home.

A face mask adds a physical barrier to help protect you from COVID- 19 but you should still maintain 1.5m apart from others, wash your hands regularly, if you are unwell stay at home and only leave the house for the 4 reasons of shopping for food or essential items, to give or receive care or medical treatment, for exercise (with only one person not from your household) and for work or study if it cannot be done at home.

It is not recommended to wear a mask if you are under 18, have breathing difficulties or with physical conditions which make it difficult to wear a mask.

Masks may only be effective if they are worn properly so keep reading for some tips and tricks on how to put them on and off and some personal tips I have picked up from wearing them.

HOW TO PUT ON A MASK

· Before touching the mask – wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use 60% or above alcohol hand sanitiser

· Hold the mask only by the ear loops

· Inspect the mask to ensure it is in good condition with no holes

· The blue side of a disposable mask should be facing out and the white side towards you

· Look and see if your mask has a metallic strip, if it does place that against the bridge of your nose

· Holding the ear loops, place them around your ears

· Squeeze and mould the metallic strip around your nose

· Pull the bottom of the mask under your chin

· Make sure the mask is as comfortable as possible, is snug but you can breathe and that it covers your mouth and nose.

· DO NOT TOUCH the mask once it is in position!

You should only use a single use mask once, they may be worn for up to 4 hours or unless damp or soiled or touched with your hands. Cloth masks can be reused but must be cleaned after every use and should not be used for more than 1 day.

HOW TO REMOVE A MASK

· Before touching the mask – wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use 60% or above alcohol hand sanitiser

· Hold the mask only by the ear loops and remove it and bring it away from yourself

· Do not touch the front of mask or your face, even when putting it in the bin

· If it is a single use mask throw it out straight away

· If you are using a cloth mask or do not have a bin to throw away the single use mask, place the mask in a Ziplock or paper bag to throw away when you get home or to wash

· Wash or sanitise your hands again after removing the mask

MY TIPS

· You will get better at being able to put the mask on, so don’t give up

· It may be uncomfortable and annoying but just try to ignore it and then you will become used to it a lot quicker

· You are going to be smelling your own breath so make sure you have brushed your teeth or even had a mint before wearing a mask

· Try to breath through your nose and take smaller breathes and avoid the big breathes

· Tie your hair back before you put on the mask, if not the ear loops may fall away and not stay behind your ears

· Make the mask as comfy as you can when you first put it on so you are less tempted to touch it

· You can put a clean tissue close to the nose piece, under the mask to help absorb some of the moisture and avoid you glasses fogging up

· If you ears become sore you can use a headband with button around the temporal area and hook the ear loops onto the button or use a paperclip between the two ear loops at the back of your head

· Take a bag such as a Ziplock or brown paper bag to put dirty masks in if you can’t find a bin immediately – don’t throw them on the ground and litter

Always follow up to date information which can be found through DHHS