SAM reminds: the use of masks is not mandatory for people with disabilities

This means that people with disabilities cannot wear masks or other respiratory protection in places where services, leisure and entertainment, competitions and sporting events, airports, public transport and workplaces are allowed when they cannot wear masks or other face shields or their use could endanger the health of the disabled person. In some cases, such as people with hearing problems or respiratory problems, the use of face shields is recommended.

This is foreseen in the decision of the Minister of Health, Aurelijus Veryga, head of emergency operations at the state level.

In assessing this situation, Minister A.Veryga regrets and apologizes for the humiliation of families and individuals who have suffered due to their disability and the impossibility of wearing a mask or other facial protection.

Luke April / 15min photo / Aurelijus Veryga

“It simply came to our knowledge then. The extent to which we are capable of serving one of the most vulnerable groups in society in the face of a threat: people with disabilities, by considering and respecting their needs with sensitivity, demonstrates the level of awareness of our I hope that we pass this awareness test and that similar cases of discrimination are not repeated, “says Minister A. Veryga.

SAM also notes that the exceptions for the use of masks also apply to services that cannot be provided with a mask, such as the beard shaving service, during cosmetic and beauty treatments. For athletes in sports clubs and visitors to amusement and leisure parks where the service of wearing a mask is not possible, such as swimming pools, the use of a mask is also optional.

It should be noted that non-medical masks should protect, not mimic, protection, so the mask should be chosen responsibly. Non-medical masks are recommended to meet the following criteria:

• The mask must form a physical barrier for air droplets to enter the airways through the nose and mouth.
• The mask should be three layers of material, dense fabric or two layers with an inside pocket to put the third layer.
• The mask must be solid (no holes, opaque, etc.).
• The mask should be sized to cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly to the face.
• The inner layer of the mask should be made of a material that absorbs moisture well, the outer layer should be made of a material from which moisture evaporates extremely quickly, and the third layer of the mask, which is applied as a filter, can be made of a dense polypropylene material.

OV solutions for using skins can be found here.