The Ministry of Health has just issued guidelines for the use of face masks in public places, specifying certain groups and locations where wearing masks is mandatory. This regulation aims to prevent the spread of Covid-19 within the community, ensuring safe and flexible adaptation while effectively controlling the disease in the new situation.
Specifically, the guidelines indicate that the following cases and locations require the use of face masks:
- Individuals showing symptoms of acute respiratory infections, those diagnosed with or suspected of having Covid-19.
- All individuals (except children under 5 years old) in public places within regions classified as level 3 or level 4 epidemic risk according to Decision No. 218/QĐ-BYT dated January 27, 2022, which provides temporary medical guidelines for implementing Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021.
- In healthcare facilities; quarantine areas; accommodations where individuals are being isolated or monitored for health reasons: This applies to all individuals (except those isolated in single rooms; individuals experiencing respiratory distress; patients undergoing medical procedures; and children under 5 years old). Healthcare workers in medical examination and treatment facilities must follow the guidelines for selecting and using personal protective equipment in the prevention of Covid-19 as issued in Decision No. 2171/QĐ-BYT dated August 5, 2022, by the Ministry of Health.
- When using public transportation: This applies to passengers, drivers, service personnel, staff, managers, and workers at stations, bus terminals, ferry docks, and waiting areas when interacting with passengers.
- In shopping centers, supermarkets, and wholesale markets: This applies to service personnel, managers, and staff when directly interacting with customers.
- In enclosed spaces with poor ventilation such as bars, nightclubs, karaoke lounges, beauty salons, gyms, restaurants, cinemas, theaters, and studios: This applies to staff, managers, and workers when directly interacting with customers.
- In cultural and tourism facilities, and venues hosting large gatherings: This applies to service personnel, managers, workers, and vendors when interacting with customers and attendees.
- In places receiving applications or conducting transactions: This applies to staff receiving applications and transaction staff when interacting with customers.
The Ministry of Health also emphasizes that individuals in charge of organizations, facilities, locations, and areas within the scope of these guidelines are responsible for organizing implementation; reminding, checking, supervising; disseminating information, and facilitating public awareness of these guidelines. If they identify areas or locations under their management that have not been mentioned above but present a risk of infection, they must remind individuals to wear masks.
