Health Ministry clears the confusion on masks with one tweet

A shortage of masks and other protective gear in several parts of the country, with thousands of people either quarantined in their homes or hospitals over coronavirus fears, has prompted the Union Health Ministry to come up with three basic guidelines on who, on priority, should wear masks.

In a tweet on Monday, the ministry said "everyone need not wear a mask" and that only three categories of people need to wear. These are: 1) those who have coronavirus symptoms such as cough, fever or difficulty in breathing, 2) those who are caring for coronavirus or COVID-19 patients or suspected patients, 3) health workers attending to patients with respiratory symptoms.

"Everyone need not wear a mask. Know when and how to wear a mask," the ministry tweeted along with a set of dos and don'ts while wearing a mask.

Everyone need not wear a mask.
Know, when and how to wear a mask!#COVID19#IndiaFightsCorona#CoronaOutbreak#HealthForAll#SwasthaBharatpic.twitter.com/FPqTHOZBdH

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) March 17, 2020