> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.fdaweb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# FDA Divides into Two its Guide on Face Masks
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-divides-into-two-its-guide-on-face-masks/
- Published: 2023-03-10T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T18:18:51.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5153954

FDA has split into two its guidance entitled “Enforcement Policy for Face Masks, Barrier Face Coverings, Face Shields, Surgical Masks, and Respirators During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (Revised).” The two new guidances have no changes to the agency’s enforcement policy, and the action is intended only to facilitate a different timeline and process for transitioning back to normal operations, as described in the [*Federal Register* notice on this topic](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-05094?ref=fdaweb.com) and on the [Covid-19-Related Guidance Documents for Industry, FDA Staff, and Other Stakeholders](https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-related-guidance-documents-industry-fda-staff-and-other-stakeholders?ref=fdaweb.com) Web page. The new guidances are:

- *“*[Enforcement Policy for Face Shields, Surgical Masks, and Respirators During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency](https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/enforcement-policy-face-shields-surgical-masks-and-respirators-during-coronavirus-disease-covid-19?ref=fdaweb.com)”
- “[Enforcement Policy for Face Masks and Barrier Face Coverings During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency](https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/enforcement-policy-face-masks-and-barrier-face-coverings-during-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-public?ref=fdaweb.com)”