At the same time, it is accepted that students between the ages of seven and 12 may not use these face shields if they are using a non-medical or cloth shield. Children will also be able to continue to use a non-medical shelter on public transport.
The amendment deletes the exception that first- to third-graders may not use a face mask at all in the classroom, and deletes the exception that fully vaccinated or ill persons in a controlled group, such as a workplace, an educational institution, an amateur group, learners with a certificate of vaccination or disease in the course of face-to-face education in the classroom, a face mask may not be used at all, as face masks may no longer be used at all in places where people congregate due to the rapid spread and infectivity of omicrons.
During the government meeting, the Director of the State Chancellery and the Head of the Operational Management Group Jānis Muudkovskis stated that 50 masks will be provided to low-income persons, which is calculated as a sufficient amount for a two-month period.
The Ministry of Health (MoD) explains in the annotation that the studies show that medical face masks have the highest efficacy compared to other face masks and reach at least 90%, but that face masks are not a sufficient protection against very small particles, including viruses. inhalation. In turn, respirators without a valve protect not only against the release of exhaled particles into the environment, but also against the inhalation of particles from the environment.
The Ministry of Health calls for attention to be paid to the fact that medical face masks and respirators are standardized and have specific requirements for their effectiveness. Therefore, the correct use of a medical face mask or respirator can guarantee their effectiveness. Non-medical face shields, on the other hand, do not have any specific requirements or standards and can be of very high quality or very low quality, so the correct use of non-medical face shields does not guarantee sufficient protection.
The use of non-medical face shields is justified when the availability of medical face masks and respirators is limited and needs to be maintained by medical personnel.
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