COVID-19 infection prevention and control living guideline: mask use in community settings, 22 December 2021

This first edition of the Infection Prevention and Control COVID-19 Living Guideline – Mask use in community settings provides the most up to date technical guidance on mask use in community settings in the context of COVID-19.

In this edition, new information includes updated mask recommendations for the general public, a statement on policies for appropriate adherence to a comprehensive package of preventive measures to reduce severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, a statement on the type of mask to be used by higher-risk individuals, and implementation considerations for the type and minimum essential parameters of masks used in community settings. This living guideline is being published using the MAGICApp online publishing platform, as well as in PDF copy on the WHO website.

The previously published technical guidance documents incorporated in Version 1.0 are as follows:
1. Mask use in the context of COVID-19 - December 2020; and
2. Advice on the use of masks for children in the context of COVID-19 - August 2020.