As the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently recommended the wearing of “cloth face coverings in public settings”, the Ministry of Health is now advising the general public to wear cloth masks (including homemade masks) as a protection measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

To date, a total of 821 samples have been tested by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). The Ministry of Health’s latest update indicates that the case count remains at 104, with seven deaths on record.

The Ministry has provided the following guidelines for the use of masks:

·         Cloth masks (including homemade masks) are recommended for use by the public. Surgical masks and N95 masks are reserved for use by healthcare workers

·         The wearing of masks is highly recommended in areas of high foot traffic (e.g. supermarkets, pharmacies, hardware stores, banks) 

·         Persons must follow the recommended procedures for the use of masks, including sanitizing hands before putting on and after removing masks. Cloth masks should also be washed and dried thoroughly before re-use.

When to wear masks at home:

The public is also advised that the consistent use of masks at home is recommended for every member of the household in the following instances:

o   If a family member believes that they have been exposed to COVID-19

o   If someone in the home has COVID-19 symptoms.

The Ministry says it should be noted that cloth masks are recommended for use by the public. As previously stated, surgical masks and N95 masks should be left for use by health care workers.