Face masks: Everything you need to know

N95 Masks

Reusable masks

Disposable masks

Bulk options

Designer masks

Kids face masks

Clear masks

Face shields

Shop for masks – Which is the best face mask for me?

Mask type	Reusable	Disposable	Filters air?	Readily available?	Average price
KN95/N95	No	Yes	Yes	In-stock retailers	£1.80 per mask
Cloth mask	Yes	No	No	In-stock retailers	£7 per mask
Surgical mask	No	Yes	No	In-stock retailers	£0.80 per mask

The UK government has issued advice that people above the age of two should wear a face covering in shops and on public transport. As of 15 June face coverings were made mandatory on public transport in the UK and on 24 July, it became mandatory to wear a face covering in all shops. These rules have extended to more indoor spaces, with museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship added to the list on 8 August. Some people are working in jobs where they need a mask but haven’t been provided with one. Our hub covers everything from how to make a face covering to where to source masks in bulk.

UK government and World Health Organization (WHO) advice

From 15 June, it became compulsory for people in England to wear a face covering on public transport. From 24 July, face coverings were also mandatory in all shops and on 8 August, these rules were extended to museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship. Exceptions are disabled people, those with breathing difficulties and young children. If you don’t comply, you could be refused entry or even fined. The aim of face coverings is to help prevent the wearer from inadvertently spreading the disease – some people have no symptoms but can spread it. The key points of the government’s message, to help curb the spread, are to stay home as much as possible, limit contact with others, keep two metres apart where possible, if you go out, and wash your hands regularly. As devolved nations, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland publish their own advice on such restrictions. The public have been told they must wear face coverings in Scotland and Northern Ireland in shops and on public transport. In Wales, people are advised to wear masks when in enclosed spaces.

In June, the World Health Organization (WHO) changed its advice and now recommends that people wear a non-medical mask when in public places where social distancing isn’t possible, to help curb the spread of coronavirus. It continues to recommend that anyone should wear a medical mask if they have contracted COVID-19 or are treating someone who is sick.

How to wear a cloth face mask

Cloth face coverings should:

• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Be secured with ties or ear loops
• Include multiple layers of fabric
• Allow for breathing without restriction

How to fit your mask properly

When putting a mask on, a tight seal should be created against your nose and mouth. If you’re using a medical mask, follow the instructions provided with your mask for a correct fit. In all cases, test that a seal has been created by exhaling heavily. Air should not escape through any cracks. If a seal hasn’t been created, re-fit and test again.

How to remove your mask properly

First, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before putting on or removing your mask. When you’re ready to take it off, do not touch the front of the mask – it could be contaminated. Instead, remove it carefully using the ties or ear loops. Put the mask straight into the wash if it is re-usable, or discard it, before washing your hands again.

Popular mask certifications compared

	Example	Conforms to	Minimum filter efficiency requirement	Maximum total inward leakage requirement	Maximum permitted inhalation resistance	Maximum permitted exhalation resistance	Stockists
N95		USA: NIOSH (42 CFR 84)	95%	N/A	3.43mbar at 85l/min	2.45mbar at 85l/min	Stockists
FFP3		EUROPE: EN 149:2001+A1:2009	99%	2%	1.0mbar at 30l/min 3.0mbar at 95l/min	3.0mbar at 160l/min	Stockists
KN95		CHINA: GB2626	95%	8%	3.5mbar at 85l/min	2.5mbar at 85l/min	Stockists
FFP2		EUROPE: EN 149:2001+A1:2009	94%	8%	0.7mbar at 30l/min 2.4mbar at 95l/min	3.0mbar at 160l/min	-
FFP1		EUROPE: EN 149:2001+A1:2009	80%	22%	0.6mbar at 30l/min 2.1mbar at 95l/min	3.0mbar at 160l/min	-
P2		AUS/NZ: AS/NZ 1716:2012	94%	8%	0.7mbar at 30l/min 2.4mbar at 95l/min	1.2mbar at 85l/min	-
DS2		JAPAN: JMHLWNotification 214, 2018	95%	N/A	0.7mbar at 40l/min (with valve) 0.5mbar at 40l/min (no valve)	0.7mbar at 40l/min (with valve) 0.5mbar at 40l/min (no valve)	Stockists
DL2		JAPAN: JMHLWNotification 214, 2018	95%	N/A	0.7mbar at 40l/min (with valve) 0.5mbar at 40l/min (no valve)	0.7mbar at 40l/min (with valve) 0.5mbar at 40l/min (no valve)	Stockists

Sources: Smart Air, 3M, Health and Safety Executive

How to make your own face mask

If you want to make your own face covering, guides like this one from the New York Times outline the steps that can have you wearing a cloth mask in an hour or two. If you have a small swatch of fabric about the size of a napkin, shoelaces, scissors, and a needle and thread, you can make a mask without additional supplies.

Guide to choosing a face mask

Dr. William Li, a bestselling author and president and co-founder of the Angiogenesis Foundation provided Finder with tips on selecting a face mask:

• Get a mask made of at least 2 layers of fabric to prevent respiratory droplets from being passed through from either side.
• Choose a mask that has a good fit for your face, covering your nose and mouth with as little air leak around the sides as possible. If there’s a bendable metal strip for the bridge of the nose, that can help create a better seal.
• Make sure the mask can easily stay attached. Ear loops or ties are convenient features.
  “Find a mask that is comfortable,” Li says. “You need to be able to breathe reasonably comfortably while wearing it.”

“Surgical masks are now easier to find and a good option,” Li adds. “They have been effective in keeping infection rates low in hospitals.”

What’s the difference between a surgical mask and an N95 mask?

Should I share a mask with my family?

No. The bottom line is that you shouldn’t be sharing a mask with anyone. Even if it is your partner or child and you live in the same household, this is something you shouldn’t do. As the virus can spread so rapidly, extra measures need to be taken and good hygiene practices need to be adopted. Sharing a mask will reduce the effectiveness of this preventative measure.

What are type 2 face masks?

Type 2 face masks are medical face masks made up of a protective 3 ply material that prevents large particles from reaching the wearer. They are not effective when blood or bodily fluids are present, however. They are usually designed in a pleat style with ear loops or ties.

Will I be fined for not wearing a mask in the UK?

Face masks are mandatory on public transport throughout the UK. How much you will be charged for not wearing a mask depends on the region you are in. In England, the British Transport Police will charge you £100 on the spot if you do not wear a face mask on public transport and continue to disobey the rules. This fine can double with each offence up to £3,200.

In Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, travel will be forbidden for those not wearing a mask. Police or environmental health officers can also issue a fixed penalty for breaches of these requirements. A first offence is punishable by a penalty of £60 (which doubles for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £1920).

Who is exempt from wearing face masks?

Those exempt from wearing face masks include:

• Children under the age of 11.
• People who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering without experiencing “severe distress”.
• Individuals with physical or mental disabilities.
• People who communicate with others through lip-reading.
• Those who are “travelling to avoid injury, or to escape risk of harm, and do not have a face covering on them”.
• Individuals needing to remove their face coverings while taking medication.

You don’t have to carry anything to prove that you don’t need to wear a face mask, but if you want to have something you can show, the UK government has cards you can print or display on your smartphone.