BEIJING -- China has released a guideline promoting public health by wearing masks effectively amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic.

Wearing masks in the right way can prevent the infection of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza, said the guideline issued by a State Council joint task force.

Medical masks and surgical masks are sufficient for normal use, and wearing multiple masks does not provide more protection, according to the guideline.

No measures to clean or disinfect the masks have been proven effective, the guideline said.

It also said that the two kinds of masks, both nonreusable, should not be used for longer than eight hours in total.