Children below the age of two years should not wear masks as it may cause them problems in breathing, a Japan medical group said on Tuesday.
According to the Japan Pediatric Association, infants have narrow air passages due to which wearing masks can make it difficult for them to breathe and can increase their risks of choking.
The association also said that masks can also increase the risk of heat stroke in children below the age of 2 years.
“Let’s stop the use of masks for children under 2-years-old,” the association said in a notice on its website.
To control the spread of coronavirus outbreak, majority of the countries have made masks mandatory for everyone to wear.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has notified N-95 Masks as an essential commodity under Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Moreover, hoarding, black-marketing of N95 masks is punishable offence under the Act.
To keep check on the hoarding, black-marketing of the essential commodity, NPPA in exercise of the powers conferred under National Disaster Management Act, 2005 had directed all states and union territories to ensure sufficient availability of surgical and protective masks, hand sanitizers and gloves at prices not exceeding the maximum retail price printed on the pack size.