So here’s our guide to masks, from the best fabrics to make them with to how to wear your hair to avoid 'ear strain' and even some tips on how to stop your glasses from getting foggy.

Who should wear masks?

All Victorians in lockdown areas — that is, all of Melbourne and Mitchell shire — have been asked to wear a mask in public when it’s difficult to social distance. The request is particularly for users in these areas on public transport or at the shops.

So far, authorities say it's not necessary for children to wear masks - and they are a choking hazard for children under two.

Am I wearing my mask properly?

The most important part of wearing a mask correctly is to ensure that it covers both your mouth and nose while fitting your face snugly.

The primary purpose of a face mask is to ensure that if you have asymptomatic coronavirus, you don’t spread the virus through aerosols, says Andrew Orfanos, the president of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists.

Unfortunately, a beard or any significant facial hair can impact the effectiveness of a mask, so it’s best to shave any facial hair that doesn’t fit properly under the mask.

Which style and fabric is best?

DHHS recommends people wear either a reusable cloth mask or a single-use surgical mask to provide adequate protection.

A cloth mask can be made at home and should have three layers of breathable fabrics to ensure adequate protection. The style of cloth mask doesn’t matter, provided it has those three layers and covers both the mouth and nose.

Other types of masks, such as P2 or N95, are not recommended, as the government is trying to reserve the supply for health professionals. Scarves and bandanas are also not recommended, as they do not provide adequate protection.

You can also choose to wear a reusable or disposable face shield, provided they are properly designed to cover the sides of the face and below the chin.

How can you stop your glasses from fogging up?

Fogging glasses is a persistent problem that wearing a face mask can cause, however, it can be helped in a couple of simple ways, such as ensuring that your mask is fixed below your glasses. You can stick it there with a piece of tape, if need be.

You could also fold a piece of tissue paper into the top of your mask to absorb the warm air and moisture escaping from the top of the mask and fogging your glasses or you could spray your glasses with either a mixture of 50 percent water and 50 percent shampoo.

Finally, it can also help to apply a small amount of dishwashing liquid to a microfibre cloth and apply it to your glasses. Watch this video to see these techniques demonstrated:

How many times can you wear your reusable mask between washes?

You should wash your mask after each day of use. It is also recommended to carry a spare, as if your mask gets visibly wet or dirty during the day, you should replace that mask and wash it before wearing it again.

Also, if there are periods of the day where you don’t need to wear a mask, you should not reuse the same mask from earlier in the day if you do need to wear a mask again. This means, for example, that if you catch public transport to and from work that you should have a separate mask for each trip.

If your mask begins to fray or holes form, it’s time to get a new one.

If the mask keeps falling off or sliding down or if you need to constantly need to readjust it, you may also need to replace that mask.

How should you sterilise your masks?

It’s important to wash your hands before and after touching your mask. You should keep your used cloth masks in a zip-lock bag.

Reusable cloth masks can be washed in a washing machine on the warmest appropriate setting for the material with other clothes or by hand.

How can I make it more comfortable?

Wearing mask earloops for long periods can be quite uncomfortable, as many professionals who regularly wear them will tell you.

Both cloth and surgical masks are often one size fits all, which may make it harder to keep the mask from sliding down for those with smaller heads.

If you have long enough hair you can style it as a high bun or pigtail buns and secure the loops to your hair to avoid straining your ears.

If not, there are still several solutions. The simplest is using a paperclip and two rubber bands to secure the loops behind your head, but any object that you can use to anchor the loops at the back of your head should work.

Some say that by sewing buttons into a headband or a cap, you can also create hooks for the loops.

How do you make a mask?

The most important things you’ll need are a water-resistant fabric (polyester/polypropylene) for the outer layer, a fabric blend (cotton polyester blend/polypropylene) for the middle layer, a water-absorbing layer (cotton) for the inner layer and elastic, string or cloth strips for the ear loops. A sewing kit could be handy, too. Old clothes, exercise clothes and cloth shopping bags work well as materials.

Lastly, here are some quick tips to help with mask-wearing

Try to

• Wear either a reusable cloth mask, disposable surgical mask or face shield when out in public
• Be sure to carry spare masks
• Ensure your mask covers both your nose and mouth
• Shave facial hair that doesn’t fit under your mask
• Continue to maintain the 1.5-metre social distance wherever possible
• Wash your reusable masks after every use
• Replace your mask if it begins to fray or gets dirty

Try not to

• Touch your face while wearing a mask without first sanitising your hands
• Remove your face mask to talk to people
• Wear a scarf or bandanna as a substitute for a mask
• Reuse a surgical mask