You have to pay attention to this when buying and wearing
Everyone needs them: Medical masks will be mandatory until at least February 14th, for example when shopping. GIGA explains what the surgical masks are all about.
On Tuesday the federal and state governments decided that in shops – if they are still allowed to open – and on public transport, wearing an “everyday mask” made of fabric is no longer sufficient. Instead, medical masks will be mandatory in the corona lockdown. The generic term is used for the well-known FFP2 masks – as well as those with comparable or better filter performance – and also includes the so-called surgical masks.
Obligation to wear in lockdown: This is what defines surgical masks
Surgical masks consist of several layers of plastic. The core is a special fleece whose filtering properties have been proven by tests. The outside is color coded, mostly blue or green, the inside is white. This must be observed when wearing it correctly. In addition, a metal nosepiece is incorporated, which ensures a better fit. Surgical masks are single-use products: after they have been worn, they must be disposed of and cannot be reused. For buyers, they are also significantly cheaper than FFP2 masks.
In contrast to many FFP2 masks, which are approved as personal protective equipment (PPE), the surgical masks are considered medical face masks. The medical devices are not intended for self-protection, but can offer the wearer a certain protection. Primarily, however, they are intended to protect others from possible infectious particles in the exhaled air of the wearer. FFP2 masks and other so-called particle filtering half masks are better suited for self-protection.
The AHA rules are also important with a protective mask:
What do buyers of surgical masks have to consider?
The medical face masks must meet legal requirements. In the case of the surgical masks, this is loud information of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices the European standard EN 14683: 2019-10. Manufacturers must be able to prove that their products meet all legal requirements in order to receive CE certification. So when that is available, buyers can be assured that the product is reliable. In contrast to the FFP2 masks, the CE certification for surgical masks is not found on every individual mask. Whether or not it is present must be indicated on the packaging.
