India Government warns against use of N-95 masks with valves

New Delhi: The Director General of Health Services (DGHS), under the Ministry of Health, India said in a letter to the Principal Secretaries of Health and Medical Education of States as N-95 masks with valves are inappropriate for use. 

The DGHS, Rajiv Garg said in the letter, "It is to bring to your knowledge that the use of valved respirator N-95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of corona-virus as it doesn't prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask. In view of the above, I request you to instruct all concerned to follow the use of face/mouth cover and prevent inappropriate use of N-95 masks".