Coronavirus staff guidance University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Last updated: 24 January 2025 at 15:02

Respirator hoods should be worn:

• When personnel are in a room for a prolonged period of time.
• For any personnel who have not been fit tested or have facial hair

Staff who have facial hair other than for religious, cultural or health reasons may wish to consider going clean shaven, as the face masks are more comfortable to wear when working and do not require decontamination between uses.

Staff who work directly in the sterile field and have to wear a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) during surgical/invasive procedures for patients with a known or suspected infectious disease spread by the airborne route, including suspected COVID-19, should also wear a standard surgical mask under the hood.