Does wearing a disposable mask mean I don’t have to isolate if I have contact?

[insancerre]

Anyone know whether wearing a mask - the disposable kind- means I don’t have to isolate if I come into contact with a person who then tests positive?

No. It depends on how close, how long and in what circs. Eg if you spent 4 hours in a car together you would still have to isolate.

If you’re NHS staff that’s exactly what it means. I don’t think the same applies generally though.

I work in a nursery and we have to wear them all day
Obviously the children don’t have to wear them but the adults dropping off and collecting do, which is done outside and with social distancing.
Sometimes it’s not possible to social distance, especially when taking babies from parents or when they hand you bags etc

I thought you had to be in contact for a certain amount of time - face to face a shorter time than side by side for instance. Surely on 15 seconds to hand over a bag or baby? Hopefully parent has mask on too. That is critical.

only 15 seconds

When I filled in the contact form after I tested positive, physical contact or being within 1m for any length of time counted as a contact. They didn’t ask about masks, because the only ones which are adequately protective are properly fitted FFP3 ones.

Surgical masks, and homemade ones do reduce the risk of transmission. But they are not a guarantee. So, sorry OP, you are a contact.

No. You've still had contact, unless through your work.

But you are handling ing the bags and children of a positive case it’s not just masks

NHS have different rules because of a whole raft of infection control measures, not just mask wearing.

@helpfulperson

NHS have different rules because of a whole raft of infection control measures, not just mask wearing.

Yes, we also wear a plastic apron and gloves 😳

@helpfulperson

NHS have different rules because of a whole raft of infection control measures, not just mask wearing.

NHS have different rules - because nobody would be able to go to work if they had to isolate every time they encountered someone who was COVID positive.