FFP2 masks: What do I have to pay attention to and can I reuse them?

As part of the tightened lockdown, wearing an FFP2 mask in supermarkets and public transport is mandatory in Austria as of January 25. Can these masks be disinfected, cleaned and reused, what do they cost, what do I have to look out for when buying them and what should I bear in mind when using them?

Tt will be mandatory in Austria to wear a so-called FFP2 mask, for example in supermarkets or public transport. These are supposed to minimize even better the risk of infection with the corona virus. However, the masks are expensive and many people are also bothered by the fact that they can only be used once and the resulting increase in waste. So is it possible to reuse the masks? No, it is disposable.

However, the reaction of infectiologist Dr. Florian Thalhammer, also from MedUni Vienna, shows just how controversial this question is. In a statement to News.at, he says: “FFP2 masks are single-use items and should not be reprocessed as a rule. Used, soiled or soaked masks (MNS, FFP) should be disposed of.”

Prof. Suchomel from MedUni Vienna sees the drying method as a way of reusing the mask, even if she is concerned that more would have to be learned about how this was tested. However, she makes it clear that this would never be conceivable for a Covid patient, where masks would of course always have to be disposed of after single use.