Face Masks and Shields Guide

Face masks and face shields are protective coverings designed to help reduce the risk of infectious diseases, viruses or bacteria spreading to and from the wearer. Most types are worn over at least the nose and mouth simultaneously, with some face coverings shielding a larger area including the eyes.

Since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, face shields and masks have seen a huge surge in day-to-day use along with other types of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

A face shield is a piece of PPE that provides protection to the wearer’s entire face from hazards and risks, such as chemical splashes, debris, and infectious and transmissible diseases.

When Do You Need to Wear a Face Mask or Shield?

In England, the legal requirement to wear face coverings indoors and on public transport ceased from 19th July 2021.

Instead, the focus has now shifted to allow individuals to make personal judgments based on the risks.

This is largely dependent on where you are and if there are other people around you. Factors affecting what is sensible for a given individual will include their unique working and living environments, personal health and risk levels, and the type and frequency of their interactions with others.

However, even though they are no longer strictly mandatory, face coverings are still strongly recommended in public areas and high-risk shared spaces. For example, this could include:

• Crowds
• Enclosed public spaces
• Public transport

Face shields and coverings are also a key part of sensible approaches to safety at work, particularly for employees returning to the workplace.

It should be noted that face shields - i.e. plastic full-face protective visors, offering spatter or debris protection for the eyes as well – are not usually suitable as a standalone defence against small droplets and smaller airborne virus particles. If you require full face protection and COVID protection at work, you may need to combine a face shield with some form of respiratory (mouth and nose) mask.

Why Do You Need to Wear a Face Mask for Coronavirus?

Wearing some form of protective shield over the mouth and nose when out in public has been scientifically proven to help lower infectious disease transmission rates.

Medical experts have made it explicitly clear that wearing an appropriate face covering significantly reduces an individual’s risk of both catching and passing on COVID-19.

When Do You Need to Wear a Face Mask or Covering?

In England, the legal requirement to wear face coverings indoors and on public transport ceased from 19th July 2021.

Instead, the focus has now shifted to allow individuals to make personal judgments based on the risks.

This is largely dependent on where you are and if there are other people around you. Factors affecting what is sensible for a given individual will include their unique working and living environments, personal health and risk levels, and the type and frequency of their interactions with others.

However, even though they are no longer strictly mandatory, face coverings are still strongly recommended in public areas and high-risk shared spaces. For example, this could include:

• Crowds
• Enclosed public spaces
• Public transport

Face shields and coverings are also a key part of sensible approaches to safety at work, particularly for employees returning to the workplace.

It should be noted that face shields - i.e. plastic full-face protective visors, offering spatter or debris protection for the eyes as well – are not usually suitable as a standalone defence against small droplets and smaller airborne virus particles. If you require full face protection and COVID protection at work, you may need to combine a face shield with some form of respiratory (mouth and nose) mask.

Wearing a Face Shield or Mask in a Workplace

Face masks in work - whether that is an office or any other type of workplace - are broadly seen by the UK Government as an important step in making a safe return to work and commuting publicly outside our homes. Although some employees and businesses have transitioned to working from home on a more permanent basis, it is recognised that this is not a possibility for all individuals and industries.

A more detailed guide to face shields, masks and general COVID safety for specific jobs, workplaces and roles has been created by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Click here to see their guidance on working safely during Coronavirus. Official guidelines are being updated regularly as the landscape around the pandemic shifts.

The key to removing a face mask and disposing of it (for single-use models) or washing it is to do so promptly, responsibly, and with as little handling of the front panel (or your face) as possible.

Remove it by the loops or ear straps, and if it is a reusable covering, ideally put it straight in the wash. For disposable masks, discard them responsibly in an appropriate bin. Try to avoid touching your face as you remove it. Always wash your hands immediately afterwards.

The best type of mask to wear in a given scenario will depend on numerous factors. Chief among these is what you are doing and where, who you are interacting with, and the risk levels involved for both yourself and those around you.

With so many variables involved, it is impossible to give a clear one size fits all directive on exactly where the ideal balance between caution and practicality lies. In many cases, you will need to make that decision for yourself, based on a combination of official government advice along with all available professional, scientific and medical guidance.

With that said, the following section of this face mask guide offers an outline of several popular types of coverings and face shields available to buy online in the UK.

What Features to Look for in a Face Mask or Shield

Certain activities or environments - particularly in the workplace - will demand specific grades of protection to meet mandatory standards of hygiene and safety. In most cases, professional guidance will make it clear if these standards apply to you in your job or role.

Elsewhere, regardless of which type of face mask you are shopping for, you should try to ensure that any covering you do wear is:

• Close, well-fitting, forming a reasonably snug seal around your mouth and nose
• For cloth masks, sufficiently tight-knit that it is not especially easy to see through if you hold it up to the light
• Lightweight, comfortable and breathable enough to wear for the duration of any public interactions, especially while indoors
• Easily adjustable, ideally via elasticated ear loops and without having to handle the front panel once in place

What are the Best Face Mask Materials Available Online?

There are many different kinds of face mask material to choose from. The best material for a given face covering will depend on factors such as:

• The level of protection you require
• The likelihood of exposure (for you and others)
• The length of mask-wearing time

Common face mask materials incorporated into both reusable and single-use protective face coverings may include:

• Cotton or canvas (reusable)
• Polyester face masks (all types of mask)
• Polyethylene face masks (more common for disposable coverings)
• Polypropylene face masks

How Many Layers Do You Need on a Face Mask to Make it Safe?

Broadly speaking, the more layers, the more protection it will offer, both to the wearer and others around them. Most guidance suggests that 3-ply fabric masks are a good standard to aim for, but even a single layer - while not advisable for most public uses - is better than nothing at all.

How Do You Wear a Face Mask with Glasses?

Many people who wear glasses notice that their lenses tend to fog up while wearing a mouth and nose mask. The best way to prevent this is to make sure the seals around the edges of your face covering are as tight-fitting as possible - particularly around the top, nearest the glasses.

If you are wearing a mask that is difficult to mould into place, you can use an aluminium clip - or even a piece of tape - to help create a better seal.