This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
On June 8, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued new guidelines on face masks, which Kenya's Ministry of Health is considering adopting.
According to the WHO, people over 60 years and those with underlying medical conditions will be required to wear medical masks in public to protect themselves from COVID-19.
Healthcare workers and caregivers will also be required to wear N95 particulate medical masks when in close contact with or caring for COVID-19 patients.
The WHO recommends that healthcare workers and caregivers wear masks when a distance of at least 1 meter cannot be maintained from a suspect or confirmed COVID-19 patient.
Dr. Rashid Aman, Health Chief Administrative Secretary, stated that the new guidelines are in line with WHO's recommendations and will be implemented if adopted.
However, there is a global shortage of N95 medical masks, and alternatives such as surgical N95 respirators and face shields may be considered.
The use of cloth masks is not recommended for healthcare workers due to limited available evidence, but the general public is advised to wear a three-layer fabric mask in public transport, shops, or confined environments.
