The Government of Meghalaya advised all citizens to use masks in public places as a necessary preventive mechanism to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and strictly follow the hand hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing protocols.
With the help of SHG and NGOs under the Department of Commerce & Industries, the Meghalaya government will produce 3 lakh double-layered reusable cotton masks by April 10th, 2020.
“The government will continue to produce masks to meet the needs of the State. All tailoring unites under the Department of Industry & Commerce have been mobilised,” according to a government notification.
It added, “Orders have been placed to procure 10 lakh masks within a 10-day period from outside the state to ensure availability to all. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to make their own masks to fight against coronavirus.”
With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, as anxious public frantically shopped hygiene products, in particular mask and hand sanitizers, the sudden increased supply could not be met by the burgeoning demand.
The Medical Expert Committee constituted by the Meghalaya government emphasised that the mask can be effective only if it is followed along with hand hygiene by using hand sanitizer or soap and also maintaining social distancing.
“Touching of the front end of the masks should be avoided to prevent any contamination,” the Expert Committee observed.
Protective masks lower the chances of coronavirus entering our respiratory system through droplets that are present in the air.
According to a report published in Pub Med analyses show that if 50 per cent of the population were to wear masks, only 50 per cent of the population would be infected by the virus.
Once 80 per cent of the population wears a mask, the outbreak can be stopped substantially. Wearing of masks is especially recommended for people living in densely populated areas.
Check out the manual for stitching on www.psa.gov.in and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website.
Photo credit: Getty image
