“As for masks for community use, Infarmed today published the technical specifications for the production of these masks by the industry. More than 200 companies have shown a willingness to move forward with production and some are in a position to do so this week,”said António Lacerda Sales.
The Minister of Health revealed on Monday that non-surgical masks can be used by the population in closed spaces and with a high number of people, such as supermarkets and public transport.
“In accordance with the basic principle of public health precaution and in view of the absence of adverse effects associated with the use of a mask, its use can be considered by anyone in closed indoor spaces and with a high number of people,” said Marta Temido .
The minister stressed that the use of masks in the community constitutes “an additional and supplementary measure” to those that already exist, such as social distance and hand washing.
The minister stressed that the social masks, which can be made of cotton or other fabric, will be generalised across to the population when the country returns to normality.
Marta Temido explained that there are three types of masks: FFP2 and FFP3 respirators (with high particle filtering capacity) for healthcare professionals, surgical masks that prevent the spread of infectious agents and non-surgical or social masks.
According to the minister, surgical masks should be worn by people with symptoms of Covid-19 and by the most vulnerable, as well as professionals from more exposed groups such as firefighters, police and funeral service workers and stores.
Marta Temido stated that non-surgical masks are not certified devices, do not follow standardisation and can be made of different materials, such as cotton or other textiles.
The DGS today stated that the use of masks by the population cannot “diminish the sustainability of access to masks by patients and health professionals”, who constitute the priority groups for the use of surgical masks.
“According to the ECDC (European Center for Disease Control), there is no direct scientific evidence (evidence) that would allow the population to issue a recommendation for or against the use of non-surgical or community masks”, reads the document signed by the general director of health, Graça Freitas.