Jakarta Govt Debunks Claims that 'Only VFE Masks Work against Covid-19'

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The claim saying that only face masks with virus filtration efficiency or VFE labels can protect against the virus that causes Covid-19 is a hoax, the Jakarta Provincial Government declared. The claim went viral on social media, particularly Facebook.

“Information that only masks labeled with VFE can protect against Covid-19 is not true,” wrote the city’s social media page against false information dubbed Jakarta Lawan Hoaks @jalahoaks on Wednesday, August 18.

The Communication and Information Ministry’s official page kominfo.go.id had also confirmed on August 13, that the news was disinformation.

It was explained that face masks labeled with VFE are not specifically needed to protect against the coronavirus. The United States Food and Drug Administration or FDA-approved masks are effective in filtering viruses in droplets and particles.

“In fact, masks labeled with VFE are not specifically necessary to protect against corona, and FDA-approved masks (including medical or surgical masks) that contain three layers of filtration are able to filter viruses in droplets and particles,” Jakarta Lawan Hoaks clarified.

Read: Commuter Line Passengers Required to Double Up Face Masks

EGHA MAHDAVICKIA | TD