Wearing face shields no substitute for masks

The Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) today stressed that face shields should not be used as a substitute for masks.

"By wearing a face mask, we hope to minimise the spread of the virus from one infected person to another through the air. This depends on how effective the filter is with a mask, as well as how well it fits the face.However, the protection provided by a face shield is to prevent the spitting of germs directly from the mouth of someone close to them into the face," the HPB said in a statement.

In case a person finds it difficult to maintain personal distance, he or she may want to wear a face shield in addition to a face mask to prevent drops from falling directly on your face. In addition, the use of a face shield can be recommended to prevent dirt from falling onto the face mask.

This helps to protect the face mask, especially for hospital staff who frequently deal with patients with symptoms such as cough.

But it is not advisable to use a face shield as a substitute for a face mask. Wearing only a face shield without a face mask does not provide the desired protection.