The subject was raised by Prof. Andrzej Horban, the prime minister’s chief adviser on the coronavirus epidemic, on TVN 24. He stressed that he hoped an obligation to wear surgical masks or masks with filters would be introduced. Consequently, single-layer (cotton) masks, face shields, scarves and neck gaiters would be banned.
Prof. A. Horban added:
In addition to the minister issuing a regulation, there is also an appeal to the public to comply with that regulation.
And he stressed:
The point is to use proper masks, at least so-called surgical masks, not to mention masks with filters.
On the “Tłit” programme on Wirtualna Polska, the prime minister’s adviser’s words were addressed by the head of the Ministry of Health, Adam Niedzielski:
[…] we are considering whether these masks should not be more specifically defined in terms of the standard for wearing them, because certain substitutes, such as scarves, are currently permitted and it will be necessary to give them up
(All quotations: gazetaprawna.pl).
It is already known that there will definitely be no such regulation today. This was said during Friday’s press conference by Wojciech Andrusiewicz, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health.
Update
In the afternoon, Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski confirmed that the government intends to change the rules on covering the mouth and nose. According to the minister, both face shields and scarves provide insufficient protection against the coronavirus. Therefore, it will be necessary to cover the nose and mouth with masks.
There will be no requirement to use medical or surgical masks. The government will recommend using them as more effective, but it will still be possible to cover the mouth and nose with cotton masks.
What do you think? We invite you to join the discussion. We will certainly return to the subject.