News

Face coverings are an additional measure to help keep us all safe in the current coronavirus pandemic. They help by trapping the droplets you breathe out and reducing the risk of you passing any infection on to people around you.

NHS Western Isles is highlighting some important information about the use of face coverings and some general advice about how to ensure they should be used effectively.

1.     Face coverings do NOT replace:

• Keeping 2m apart (physical distancing);
• Washing your hands with soap and warm water;
• Catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue and binning the tissue, or into your sleeve.

2.     To wear a face covering correctly, you must:

• Wash your hands before putting it on;
• Do not touch the front of the face covering;
• Ensure it covers your nostrils and mouth;
• Tie the ties behind your head or loop the elastic round your ears for a firm hold.

3.      When wearing a face covering, do not:

• Touch the front of the covering;
• Put it under your chin or on top of your head and then back on your face;
• Take it off and on again.

4.     When you are home, or you have finished wearing the face covering:

• Take it off by undoing the ties or loops and folding it from the outside edges in;
• Place in a plastic bag until you can take it home to wash it;
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitiser if you cannot access water and your hands are not visibly dirty;
• The face covering can be washed in a domestic machine with other domestic items.

5.     Use a fresh face covering if you need to go out again.