Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 54 10 2025 10 31 2190 2198 EN Hosein Kouchaki 1. Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2. USERN Office, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Reza Tabrizi 1. Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran 2. Clinical Research Development Unit of Vali Asr Hospital, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Parnia Kamyab 1. Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2. Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Mahya Pourrahimi Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Amirhossein Ghanei Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Shahriyar Goudarzi Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Kamran Bagheri Lankarani Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2023 12 14 2025 09 04 Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, personal protective equipment, particularly face masks, has been central to infection control and reducing associated mortality. Global mask mandates, combined with widespread vaccination, helped curb peak pandemic phases. In 2023, the WHO reclassified COVID-19 as an ongoing health priority rather than an emergency, prompting reassessment of mask policies in healthcare settings. Yet, hospitals remain high-risk, especially with the concurrent “triple epidemic” of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. This review summarizes current evidence on mask efficacy, adherence, and policy changes to determine whether, when, and under what conditions mask use can be safely eased in clinical settings. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/33994 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/33994/8677