23 March 2021 – On 21 February 2021, the WHO country office, in collaboration with the Oman Environmental Services Holding Company and the Ministry of Health, launched a campaign on the health risks of the throwing away of used masks in public places. It aims to raise public awareness about the appropriate way of disposing of used masks and the dangers of inappropriate disposal to people, including sanitation workers, and the environment.  

The opening ceremony was held at the Oman Environmental Service Holding Company, in the presence of Dr Jean Jabbour Jabbour, WHO Representative in Oman, and Engineer Tariq Al Ameri’, CEO of the Company. Dr Jabbour highlighted the importance of the collaboration for increasing community awareness during the battle against COVID-19 and its benefits for strengthening programme implementation.

The campaign includes several nationwide awareness-raising events, such as live education sessions on social media and the dissemination of video and other educational materials through different news and digital media platforms. There is also a mask cemetery exhibition and a live workshop on how to make fabric masks. Pre- and post-evaluation surveys are being conducted.

WHO advises the use of masks as part of a comprehensive package of prevention and control measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. During the current pandemic, billions of masks are being used each month globally. Without better disposal practices, an environmental disaster is looming, as well as the potential biohazard to waste workers.