The director general of health services made clear that the use of “valved respirator N-95 mask” is harmful to the measures, which is accepted for the prevention of the spread of coronavirus. They mentioned this in a letter to the states that it does not prevent the coronavirus from escaping out of the mask.

Rajesh Bhushan, Health ministry’s officer on special duty repeated the same on Tuesday that if an asymptomatic person is wearing a valved N-95 mask, then the susceptibility of that person infecting others does exists. He further added that it is a progressing situation and if necessary they’ll introduce new facts and might also change the current advisory.

DGHS Dr Rajiv Garg, on Monday, said in a letter to the national health mission and to all principal health secretaries in states that it was observed that there was an incorrect use of the N-95 mask (mostly with valved respirator) by the public than other designated health workers.

In the letter he also cited the advisory of the health ministry on the use of home-made protective cover for face and mouth. He had asked the state authorities to direct all concerned to follow the guidelines regarding use of face and mouth coverings and prevent incorrect use of N-95 masks.