No, Your Scarf Does NOT Replace A Mask & Other Winter Tips From Montreal Health Officials

As colder weather approaches and the gloves slide on, Montrealers will have to keep best health practices in mind. Health officials have put out some reminders ahead of our first winter with COVID-19.

In a tweet, Santé Montréal reminded the population that scarves and neck-warmers "don't replace" face coverings.

Indeed, according to guidelines from the government of Canada, proper face coverings should "be made of at least 3 layers" and "fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops."

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Scarf, neck warmer, gloves and mittens are not a substitute for face covering and hand washing.

Santé Montréal

Gloves and mittens also don't replace hand-washing, the tweet says.

On its website, the Government of Quebec actually recommends that you "avoid wearing gloves" as the practice "increases the risk of contaminating surfaces and can spread germs."

"The best way to protect yourself is to wash your hands frequently and properly," it says.

As for travelling on public transit, the tweet says we should "avoid drinking, eating and talking during the trip."

The reminders on Twitter come as Quebec's coronavirus situation becomes "very, very, very fragile," in the words of Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbault.

The provincial government is still weighing whether or not to allow gatherings around Christmas.

This article was originally published in French on Narcity Québec.