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# Guide on Improvised Face Masks
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/guide-on-improvised-face-masks/
- Published: 2020-04-03T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:09:57.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5146492

FDA has released a [guidance](https://www.fda.gov/media/136449/download?ref=fdaweb.com) on “Enforcement Policy for Face Masks and Respirators During the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) Public Health Emergency (Revised).” The document outlines a revised policy to help expand the availability of general use face masks for the general public and particulate filtering facepiece respirators (including N95 respirators) for health care professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic. FDA says that when alternatives, such as FDA-cleared masks or respirators, are unavailable, individuals, including healthcare professionals, might improvise personal protective equipment (PPE). It also does not intend to object to individuals’ distribution and use of improvised PPE when no alternatives, such as FDA-cleared masks or respirators, are available.