Decision 2447/QD-BYT 2022 Guidance on using face masks in public places for COVID-19 prevention

DECISION

Promulgating the Guidance on using face masks in public places for COVID-19 prevention and control

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THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

Pursuant to the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases dated November 21, 2007;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 75/2017/ND-CP dated June 20, 2017, defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

Pursuant to the Government Office's Notice No. 205/TB-VPCP dated July 15, 2022, on the conclusion of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control at its15^th virtual meeting with localities;

At the proposal of the Director of the General Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health.

DECIDES:

Article 1. To promulgate together with this Decision the “Guidance on using face masks in public places for COVID-19 prevention and control”.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect on the date of its signing and replaces the Minister of Health’s Decision No. 1053/QD-BYT dated February 06, 2021, on promulgating the Guidance on using face masks in public places for COVID-19 prevention and control.

Article 3.  The Chief of Ministry Office; the Chief Inspector of Ministry; heads of units affiliated to the Ministry of Health; Directors of Health Departments of provinces and centrally-run cities; heads of medical units of ministries and sectors; heads of relevant units shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision./.

For the Minister

The Deputy Minister

NGUYEN THI LIEN HUONG

GUIDANCE

On using face masks in public places for COVID-19 prevention and control
(Attached to the Ministry of Health's Decision No. 2447/QD-BYT dated September 06, 2022)

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I. OBJECTIVES

To prevent the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic in the community for the safe adaptation, flexible and effective control of the pandemic in the new situation.

II. GROUNDS FOR FORMULATING THE GUIDANCE

1. Based on the person-to-person transmission mechanism of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is commonly through respiratory droplets.

2. Based on the transmission level at high-risk places:

- Places where there is a risk of exposure to pathogens.

- Places with poorly ventilated closed spaces.

3. The use of face masks in public places is a personal preventive measure that contributes to mitigating the COVID-19 transmission in the community, protect the citizens’ health, especially high-risk persons such as people with underlying medical conditions, the elderly, immunocompromised people, and obese people.

4. Public place means a place accessible to many people in an indoor space such as a theater, cinema, discotheque or restaurant, etc., or an outdoor place such as a stadium, park, street or station, etc.

III. GUIDANCE

1. Cases for mandatory face masks

1.1. Face masks are mandatory for:

a) Persons with symptoms of acute respiratory infection, persons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

b) Everybody (other than children under 5 years old) visiting public places in level-3 or level-4 areas as announced under the Interim Guidance to implement the Government’s Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021, promulgating the Interim Regulation on “safe and flexible adaptation and effective control over the COVID-19 pandemic” that is issued together with the Ministry of Health’s Decision No. 218/QD-BYT dated January 27, 2022.

1.2. Face masks are mandatory for a number of specific places and subjects as follows:

a) At medical establishments; quarantine zones; accommodations hosting people undertaking medical quarantine or supervision:

- Face masks are required for everybody (except for those who are quarantined in a single room; people in respiratory distress or patients undertaking medical procedures as designated by doctors, and children under 5 years old).

- For medical staff at medical examination and treatment establishments, the Guidance on the selection and use of personal protective equipment for COVID-19 prevention and control at medical examination and treatment establishments, promulgated together with the Ministry of Health’s Decision No. 2171/QD-BYT dated August 05, 2022, shall be complied with.

b) On public vehicles (airplanes, trains, ships, metros, ferries, passenger cars, buses, taxis, etc.): Face masks are required for passengers; drivers, service staff on public vehicles; service staff, managers and workers at stations, harbors, waiting rooms who are in direct contact with passengers.

c) At malls, supermarkets and wholesale markets: Face masks are required for service staff, managers and workers in direct contact with customers.

d) At places with poorly ventilated closed spaces (bars, discotheques, karaoke centers; spa and massage centers; fitness clubs; on-site food and beverage facilities; cinemas, theaters, circuses, gymnasiums, studios): Face masks are required for service staff, salespersons, managers and workers in direct contact with customers.

dd) At cultural facilities, tourist sites, and places where crowded events are held (relic works, museums, libraries, exhibition halls; tourist resorts, entertainment facilities; culture, physical training and sports events, weddings, funerals, festivals, fairs):  Face masks are required for service staff, managers, workers and salespersons in direct contact with customers and participants.

e) At places where dossiers are received or transactions are conducted: Face masks are required for staff receiving dossiers and staff conducting transactions when being in direct contact with customers.

2. Others (apart from places and persons mentioned in Section 1 of this Part) are encouraged to wear face masks in public places.

IV. IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION

1. Ministries, departments and sectors shall, within the ambit of management and competence, strengthen to urge, recommend and inspect the organization and implementation of this Guidance.

2. People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities shall continue directing and organizing the wearing of face masks in public places in accordance with this Guidance, and

- Direct provincial-level Departments of Health, relevant departments and sectors and local administrations to directly guide and organize the implementation within their assigned fields; inspect, supervise and handle violations of regulations on mandatory face masks in their respective localities.

- Provincial-level Departments of Health shall act as the focal points to summarize and report the implementation results to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, and the Ministry of Health according to regulations.

3. Heads of organizations, facilities, and persons in charge of sites and areas shall guide the organization and implementation; urge, recommend, inspect and supervise; propagandize, disseminate and facilitate others to follow this Guidance. Persons in charge of sites and areas showing the risk of infection that are not listed herein shall be responsible for recommending the wearing of face masks.