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Last revised on May 11, 2022
PLEASE NOTE: Starting on March 21, most mask requirements will be removed except for the following settings:
- public transit
- long-term care and retirement homes
- health-care settings (this includes all Ottawa Public Health Vaccination Clinics, Dental Health Clinics and the Sexual Health Clinic)
- congregate care settings
- shelters
- correctional and detention centres
Please see the information below to help you make informed decisions about mask use in the current environment.
- Residents are encouraged to continue to wear a mask in certain settings especially indoors when physical distancing may not be possible.
- When using a mask, select the best quality one available to you.
- No matter which type of mask you are using, what is most important is how well it fits your face. A well-fitting mask:
- Fits snugly against the sides of your face with no gaps. A nose bridge wire can help to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask.
- Completely covers your nose, mouth and chin. Filters air well. When breathing, air moves through the mask and not around it.
- Can be worn comfortably and is easy to breathe through for long periods of time.
- Some individuals may choose to keep wearing masks in places where they are not required; please be kind and respectful of others’ choices.
- When attending a gathering, always bring your mask with you. There may be times when others will not be comfortable being around maskless people, or they could be at high-risk, and they may ask you to mask-up.
- It's important to remember that wearing a mask is something we can all do to help to protect those who remain at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.
On this page:
Types of masks and respirators
Types of masks and respirators
Please see below for what you need to know about the different types of masks:
Cloth Masks
Cloth Masks can be made from a variety of fabrics and many types of cloth masks are available.
Wear cloth masks with:
- A proper fit over your nose, mouth, and chin to prevent leaks
- Multiple layers of tightly woven, breathable fabric
- A nose wire
- Fabric that blocks light when held up to bright light source
Do NOT wear cloth masks:
- With gaps around the sides of the face or nose
- With exhalation valves, vents, or other openings
- Made of single-layer fabric or those made of thin fabric that don’t block light
- If they are wet or dirty
Medical Masks
Disposable medical masks are widely available. They are sometimes referred to as surgical masks or medical procedure masks.
Wear medical masks with:
- A proper fit over your nose, mouth, and chin to prevent leaks
- Multiple layers of non-woven material
- A nose wire
Do NOT wear medical masks:
- With gaps around the sides of the face or nose
- If the mask is wet or dirty
Ways to have better fit and extra protection with cloth and disposable masks:
- Wear two masks (disposable mask underneath AND cloth mask on top)
- Combine either a cloth mask or disposable mask with a fitter or brace
- Knot and tuck ear loops of a 3-ply mask where they join the edge of the mask
- For disposable medical masks, fold and tuck the unneeded material under the edges. (For instructions, see the following video: https://youtu.be/GzTAZDsNBe0external icon)
- Use masks that attach behind the neck and head with either elastic bands or ties (instead of ear loops)
Respirators
What to know about NIOSH-approved respirators:
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approves many types of filtering facepiece respirators. The most widely available are N95 respirators. Public Health Ontario (PHO) recommends fit tested N95 respirators (or equivalent) should be used when aerosol-generating medical procedures are performed on patients with suspect or confirmed COVID 19 infections. When worn consistently and properly, they provide the highest level of protection from particles, including the virus that causes COVID-19. Additionally, they contain your respiratory droplets and particles, so you do not expose others.
- They seal tightly to your face when fitted properly.
- It is important to pick a respirator that fits your face and seals well since not all fit the same.
- Respirators approved by NIOSH are evaluated against a specific US standard that includes a quality requirement.
- They filter at least 95% of particles in the air when approved by NIOSH and when you have a proper fit.
Do NOT wear NIOSH-approved respirators
- If it is hard to breathe while wearing them
- If they are wet or dirty
- With other masks or respirators
For more information, please refer to the resource below:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Mask requirements when returning from international travel |
FAQ: Mask requirements when returning from international travel |
How do I properly wear a mask? |
Masks are not all made the same and may fit differently. Find the mask that best fits your face. To properly wear a mask, follow the instructions below:
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Do I need to shave off my beard for my mask to be effective? |
No. The purpose of the mask is to block respiratory droplets. A mask with three layers that fits securely over the chin without gapping (compressing the beard as necessary) will block respiratory droplets quite well. Remember that wearing a mask does not replace other protective measures, such as being up to date and having received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including any booster dose(s), physical distancing, hand washing and not touching your face with unwashed hands. Keeping the beard clean is also important. Please note these recommendations do not apply for health-care workers, who need to follow the guidelines from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. |
What kind of mask can I wear with a hijab, niqab or burqa? |
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How do I use a mask while wearing glasses/sunglasses? |
You may need to take off your glasses before putting on your mask to ensure the mask is placed properly over your nose. Avoid touching your glasses when wearing your mask. If you need to readjust your glasses, ensure you clean your hands using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately before and after touching them.
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How do I avoid fogging my glasses when wearing a mask? |
Foggy eyeglasses can be a challenge in many different situations, including when wearing a mask. Here are some tips to help prevent your glasses from fogging while wearing a mask:
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Can I wear my mask all day? |
A cloth or disposable mask can be worn all day as long as it does not become damaged, damp or dirty. Disposable masks are for one time use only and need to be thrown into the garbage after a day’s use. |
When can I take off my mask? |
You can take off your mask if/when:
And
Note: If your mask becomes damp or dirty, you should exchange it for a new one if you are still in a situation where you need to wear a mask. Ensure you wash your hands using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after removing your mask. The used mask can be placed in a lined garbage bin if it is not reusable, in a sealable bag for storage, or directly into the washing machine. |
How do I wash, re-use, and discard a cloth mask? |
To wash a cloth mask, follow these steps:
Note: Disposable masks should not be washed. To discard disposable, damaged or worn out masks, throw them in a lined garbage bin. Do not leave any discarded masks in places where others can come in contact with them, such as shopping carts, public seats, bus stops or on the ground. To re-use a mask, remove it from your face with clean hands and fold it in half so that the outer surface is inwards (so that the contaminated outer surface is not contacting anything during storage) and place it in a clean, sealable bag until ready to use it again. Do not leave a mask that has absorbed moisture from your breath in a non-breathable bag or container for more than an hour or so. Note: Disposable masks should not be used for more than one day. |
Do I need to wear a mask if I am travelling? |
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How do I safely take off my mask in public if I am worried or feel like I am having trouble breathing? |
If you are feeling anxious or are having trouble breathing because of wearing a mask, go outside and remove your mask when you are at least two metres (six feet) away from other people, so you can continue to practise physical distancing. Ensure you wash your hands using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after removing your mask. Remove your mask by touching only the ear loops or ties. When you are breathing comfortably and feeling calm, you may put the mask back on with clean hands. For further guidance, please refer to the OPH video on how to properly wear and remove a mask. |
What can I do if my mask feels uncomfortable or tight? |
All masks are not made the same and may fit differently. Find a mask that fits the size of your face, covering your nose and mouth without gapping (large spaces between the mask and your face). Your mask should fit snugly around your face; however, it should not hurt your face. Do not wear your mask around your neck, on your forehead, under your nose, only on your nose or chin, hanging from one ear, or on your arm. |
How do I make a cloth mask and what type of fabric or cloth do I use? |
Several organizations have proposed guidelines for mask design including what type of fabric or style to use. This is an area of active research and new evidence continues to emerge. At this time, Ottawa Public Health recommends the following materials and design for masks:
A round elastic may fit more comfortably behind the ear than a wide, flat elastic. Use these resources to make your own cloth mask: |
Can I re-use a disposable mask? |
A disposable mask can be re-used during a single day if it:
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Can my child wear an N95 mask? |
Parents and caregivers may have questions about the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved respirators (such as N95s) for children. Although respirators may be available in smaller sizes, they are typically designed to be used by adults in workplaces, and therefore have not been tested for broad use in children. Selecting Masks
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How can you clearly communicate with people who have a hearing impairment and read lips while wearing a mask? |
Some people who are deaf or hard of hearing rely on lip reading to help understand verbal messages and masks may create a barrier. Employees should be adaptable and kind when communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, particularly when wearing a mask and let the person suggest their preferred way of communicating. Customers and employees can communicate by:
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Resources
-
Government of Canada’s fact sheet: COVID-19 mask use: How to make your mask fit properly
- Public Health Ontario: Optimizing the Use of Masks Against COVID-19
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
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Public Health Agency of Canada
- Ottawa Public Health
Contact Information
Provincial Vaccine Information Line
- 7 days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm
- Call if you have questions about Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination program.
- Service is available in multiple languages.
- Telephone: 1-888-999-6488
- TTY: 1-866-797-0007
Ottawa Public Health Vaccine Booking Line
- Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Translation is available in multiple languages
- Telephone: 613-691-5505
Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 Telephone Line
- Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Translation is available in multiple languages
- Telephone: 613-580-6744 follow the prompts to the COVID-19 telephone line
- TTY: 613-580-9656
Emergency Services
- If you are in distress (e.g., significant trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting or have a significant worsening of any chronic disease symptoms), do not go to the Assessment Centre or a COVID-19 Care clinic. Go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 9-1-1.
How to access help during COVID-19
- 211 Ontario can help you find financial and social support during COVID-19
- Telephone: 2-1-1
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