West Australians need to embrace wearing masks along with a raft of other "COVID-fit" precautions when the State’s border reopens next week, according to Australia Medical Association WA president Andrew Miller.

From commuters crammed on trains and buses to punters at large public events, Dr Miller said West Aussies should adopt masks in their daily lives like Asian nations such as South Korea, Taiwan and China.

WA opens quarantine-free travel to most States and territories from November 14 under a new "controlled interstate border" plans announced by Premier Mark McGowan on Friday.

Speaking to The West Live, Dr Miller said masks should especially be used when someone has a common cold or even hay fever.

"Our community needs to get ready — COVID-fit — for the occasional outbreak," he told podcast host Jenna Clarke.

Frequently Asked Questions - Aura 9320A+ and 9322A+ Bulk Packs

How are CPS and rebate programs going to be managed?

The standard price per respirator and contract price arrangements per respirator remain unchanged regardless of the packaging.

What does this mean with our existing orders for 9320A+ and 9322A+ in the system / When will we be supplied with those orders / When current boxes run out what happens to back orders?

Stock delivered in June will have the standard box packaging. From July onwards, stock will be delivered in bulk packs.

An email from the distributor confirming willingness to receive the new codes instead of the old codes would suffice to update backorders.

Alternatively, the backorders with old codes can be cancelled, and new orders can be placed using the new codes.

Are all the back orders going to be consolidated and then shipped in new volumes?

For orders that would be supplied with 9320A+ or 9322A+ from July onwards, yes this can be done, provided the distributor confirms via email their willingness to receive the new codes

What happens to distributors who have their end users wanting less than case quantities of 9322A+ or volumes that are not a multiple of 200 units?

The intention behind bulk packing is to increase productivity and release orders faster. However, this comes at a cost of ordering by the case unfortunately.

How do distributors sell this product in less than carton QTY do they have the fitting instructions etc. on the packaging?

According to the TGA they cannot be sold loose either by 3M Au or by 3M authorised distributors.

Can distributors repackage into smaller volumes?

Yes

Can distributors sell individual masks?

As per TGA, neither 3M Australia nor 3M distributors would be able to sell individual units unless it comes with user instructions, 3M sponsor details, the required intended use, the product cat code, lot number and expiry.

Do you have any indication if this will be a permanent change considering the communication state effective July?

No changes until further notice

3M Aura 9320A+ and 9322A+ standard packs – update

Based on some customers feedback, a limited quantity of the 9322A+ (standard packs XA010017854 are on plan to be delivered in July.

Prioritization of stock

We continue to focus on Healthcare with support for critical industrial and key industries.

The majority of our stock on hand is being released to Healthcare/Frontline HC workers dealing with Covid-19 and Govt/Hospitals and the remaining to Critical Infrastructure and existing DR customers in Industrial markets

DR Quantities and ETAs cannot be committed to customers because demand from frontline customers is being prioritised.

Regards

From Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton.

To help slow the increase in transmission of coronavirus, people living in and visiting metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are required to wear a face covering whenever they leave home. If you live outside metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire – we recommend you wear a face covering when it’s difficult to keep 1.5 metres apart from others.

Face coverings provide an additional barrier to coronavirus.

Video

Wearing masks will be made compulsory for people out in public in coronavirus-hit Melbourne and the adjacent Mitchell Shire from 11:59pm on Wednesday 22/07/2020.

Here's what we know about the new rules.

3M Technical Bulletin

Filtering facepiece respirators (FFR), which are sometimes called disposable respirators, are subject to various regulatory standards around the world. These standards specify certain required physical properties and performance characteristics in order for respirators to claim compliance with the particular standard. During pandemic or emergency situations, health authorities often reference these standards when making respirator recommendations, stating, for example, that certain populations should use an "N95, FFP2, or equivalent" respirator.

This document is only intended to help clarify some key similarities between such references, specifically to the following FFR performance standards:

European Union Export Restrictions and 3M Product Availability Update re: 2019 Novel Coronavirus and COVID-19

Dear Valued Customer,

On March 15th, the European Union introduced export authorization requirements for exports of certain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) outside of the European Union in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The regulation is (EU) 2020/402 and is initially effective for a six-week period but could be extended. This regulation will be enacted by each country’s customs authority which will establish a process for receiving export licenses from EU to other countries.

This new regulation will likely impact 3M’s ability to supply certain Personal Protective Equipment sourced from our manufacturing operations in the European Union to customers in non-European Union countries.

Using proper cleaning and storage practices ensures that respirators remain effective and uncontaminated.

Common mistakes that limit the effectiveness of respirators.

1. Upon returning from the field on a hot and humid day, a worker haphazardly removes the personal protective clothing. The worker pulls off the respirator and hangs it on a nail in the barn, next to a pesticide container.
2. Rather than taking the time to put the respirator away, a worker tosses it on the dashboard of the truck. The truck is parked in a very sunny spot.
3. A respirator is in an enclosed cab. The cartridge is inside the sleeve of a plastic glove. The respirator has been there for two months.

Respirators should be stored away from dust, sunlight, heat, extreme cold, excessive moisture and damaging chemicals. Respirators, a piece of personal protective equipment (PPE), must be stored away from personal clothing and pesticide-contaminated areas.

Comfort Masks:

• Are not designed to protect your lungs from airborne hazards.
• Do not have the word NIOSH and the approval type (i.e. N95/P2) printed on the product.
• Are not cleared by the FDA for use as a surgical mask.
• Have not been tested to any government performance standards for filtration.
• Usually have only 1 head strap.
• Do not fit tightly to the face - there might be gaps around the edges.

Key Differences Between Respirators and Masks

Video

Dear Valued 3M Channel Partner,

As previously communicated, 3M is seeing very high demand for respiratory protection products due to the outbreak of a newly identified novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). In response, 3M is increasing respirator production and is working with 3M authorized channel partners to help ensure they have inventory to meet end-user demand. We remain committed to the balanced distribution of product so that your domestic industrial customers can receive the 3M respiratory protection products they have chosen to rely on to help facilitate their day-to-day operations.

3M P2 Respirators Update