The latest "mask order" has been issued! National Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Masks are still required in these scenarios

Guidelines for the public to wear masks to prevent novel coronavirus infection (April 2023 edition)

Wearing a mask scientifically is an important measure to prevent infection with the new coronavirus. In accordance with the requirements of the "Overall Plan for Implementing Class B and Class B Management for New Coronavirus Infection" and the "New Coronavirus Infection Prevention and Control Plan (Tenth Edition)", this guideline is formulated to guide the public to wear masks scientifically and effectively protect public health.

1. Situations or scenarios where masks should be worn

1. During the period when the novel coronavirus antigen or nucleic acid test is positive.

2. During the period when symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, muscle aches, fatigue, etc. suspected of novel coronavirus infection occur.

3. When an epidemic cluster occurs in the community or school where you live, work or study.

4. When going to medical institutions for medical treatment, accompanying, nursing, or visiting.

5. When outsiders enter places where vulnerable groups gather, such as nursing homes and social welfare institutions.

6. During the period of work of public service personnel such as medical staff, catering staff, cleaning staff, security staff, etc. in key institutions such as nursing homes, social welfare institutions, childcare institutions, schools, and after-school training institutions.

2. Situations or scenarios where wearing a mask is recommended

1. When taking public transportation such as airplanes, trains, long-distance buses, ships, subways, and buses.

2. When entering closed and crowded places such as supermarkets, cinemas, theaters, and passenger stations.

3. When the elderly, patients with chronic underlying diseases, pregnant women, etc. go to indoor public places.

4. When large-scale meetings or events are held with a wide range of participants, high mobility, and no prevention and control requirements such as nucleic acid testing, antigen testing, and health monitoring.

3. Common situations or scenarios where masks are not required

1. Open-air squares, parks and other outdoor places.

2. Indoor workplaces and meeting rooms with relatively fixed personnel, etc.

3. When large-scale meetings or events are held with a wide range of participants and high mobility, but with clear prevention and control requirements such as nucleic acid testing or antigen testing, and health monitoring.

4. For specific personnel who regularly undergo nucleic acid testing or antigen testing, health monitoring, etc., such as performers at celebration events, members of the guard of honor, etc., when participating in large-scale events.

5. For people who are exercising, wearing a mask may cause breathing difficulties.

6. Infants and young children aged 3 years and below.

7. When teachers and students are at school.

4. Mask selection

It is recommended that people infected with the new coronavirus and those suspected of being infected wear N95 or KN95 particulate protection masks or above (without breathing valves). Other people are recommended to wear disposable medical masks or medical surgical masks.

5. Other matters needing attention

1. Except for the above situations or scenarios, individuals can choose whether to wear masks according to their own health status and needs.

2. People with cardiopulmonary dysfunction should wear masks under the guidance of a doctor.

3. The institutions where relevant public service personnel work should equip them with masks that meet relevant requirements and set up independent storage devices for discarded masks.

This mask guideline will be dynamically optimized and adjusted according to the needs of epidemic prevention and control. Local departments can formulate local and industry mask guidelines based on local and industry realities and refer to this mask guideline.

Source: National Center for Disease Control and Prevention