With New Zealanders facing the prospect of wearing masks in the event of a fresh Covid-19 outbreak and shift back to level 2, there are a set of rules to follow to avoid infection.
The guidelines, issued by the Ministry of Health, cover the safest way to handle masks whether it's a single-use mask or home-made facial coverings.
They include how you put it on, what to do while wearing it, how to take it off and how to handle it safely after use to avoid the risk of infection.
But there are some key points to note including never sharing masks, and not putting them on young children or anyone who cannot take them off without help. People who have troubled breathing are also warned to not wear them.
The ministry says it is important the face mask is clean and dry and in perfect condition.