Starting from February 5th, you are required to wear a mask when visiting a supermarket or market in Guangdong, according to the second notice on wearing masks in public places released by the province.

(Photo: Nanfang Daily)

In the new notice, both supermarkets and farmers' markets have been added to the list of public places where it is mandatory for residents to wear face masks while parks are excluded.

Public places include:

(1) Hotels, inns, hostels, restaurants, café shops, bars, teahouses;

(2) Public bathrooms, barbershops, beauty shops;

(3) Cinemas, theaters, KTVs, video halls, recreation rooms, dance halls, music halls;

(4) Stadiums (gymnasiums), swimming pools (natatoriums), parks, scenic spots, religious places, commercial streets and pedestrian streets;

(5) Supermarkets, markets, shopping malls (stores), bookstores;

(6) Waiting rooms (in hospitals, airports, bus and train stations), expressway service areas, public transportation tools (including cars hailed online and taxis);

(7) Exhibition halls, museums, art museums, libraries;

(8) Other public places that are crowded or enclosed.

In addition, the new notice has also added a part to explain when and where you should wear a mask.

Principles on wearing masks:

(1) You don't need to wear a mask when you are alone in places with low risk of being infected, such as driving alone or walking alone in the park

(2) No need to wear a mask in an open and ventilated environment in non-epidemic area. Wearing a mask is compulsory when entering crowded or enclosed public places.

(3) Wear a disposable medical mask in open and ventilated environment in an epidemic area. Wear a surgical mask or an anti-PM mask in crowded or enclosed public places.

(4) Wear an anti-PM mask without an exhalation valve or a medical mask when you show pneumonia-like symptoms and go to see a doctor

(5) Patients with respiratory diseases need to wear a mask according to doctor's guidance. Young babies must never be equipped with masks due to danger of suffocation

(6) Cotton masks, sponge masks and activated carbon masks cannot effectively protect you from infection.

Authors: Monica Liu, Zero He (intern)

Editor: Simon Haywood