That's according a document on the National Health Commission website which was published today. In summary, if you're at home (who was wearing their mask at home?) or if you're outdoors and in well-ventilated spaces where there aren't a lot of people, you don't need to be wearing a face mask. Yes! Yes! The great outdoors is now safe to be enjoyed mask-free. But only that. If you're at work, at a bus, train or metro station, supermarket, restaurant, bar, or generally an enclosed space with a large number of people, you are advised to wear a surgical mask. If you're undergoing quarantine, even voluntary self-quarantine, you are advised to wear a surgical mask. The government only recommends that people working in high-risk areas or travelers from overseas wear N95s. The rest of us can make do with simple surgical masks, and maybe free up N95 masks for the people who need them. So yes! You can now suffer the accusatory looks of mask-wearers in the comfort of knowing that the streets are now officially allowed to be mask-free zones. Just don't stand so close to anyone.

Did you know? For two weeks in February, the World Health Organization sent a couple dozen science and doctor types to China to assess the COVID-19 outbreak and China's response to it. They toured the country and then published a 40 page report, which you can read in full here. Or. We could read the whole thing for you, look up all the big words, and present our key takeaways in a handy, internet-friendly list. Read on

What color are you? Is that about to become a question people have to answer in Shanghai, like it is in Hangzhou? Though it's not mandatory in Shanghai yet (it is for 50 million people in Zhejiang), getting your government-approved health check color seems like a good idea in case this takes off in Shanghai. If you want to get ahead of the curve on being a good, law-abiding citizen, here's how to do that. Read on

So many questions floating about, so few experts to answer them. Do masks work or not? How long is the incubation period? Is your dry throat from sitting under the AC all day, or should you check into a clinic? You could scour the internet for clues and answers, sifting through the bunk and hokum, or you could just call a doctor. Parkway has set up a hotline (or rather, a service on their existing hotline) that lets you ask a doctor questions directly. The number is 400 819 6622, then 2 for English and 9 for the special service. They were all busy on my first try, but on my second, I got through to Dr. Tan, who answered my questions about masks and the incubation period quickly and with the confidence of someone with letters after their name. Yup. It works. Stop worrying. Give them a call.

Mark Klingspon operates several of this city's high-profile restaurant and lounges, including The Nest, The Cannery, and now Korean BBQ spot JUJU. Over the last week, he has been putting together guidance for his restaurant group in preparation of re-opening on how to deal with the hygiene aspect of potentially operating a restaurant in the time of coronavirus. Initially intended as an internal document, he has decided to share the 30+ page instructions in the hopes that it will help any other F&B operators trying to formulate their own response and set up their own guidelines. Click here to see the full English PDF version and here to see it in Chinese. At a minimum, it's an interesting insight into how restaurateurs are handling this major hygiene challenge. A couple takeaways: separate staff dormitories by travel history; offer disposable cutlery; wrap clean cutlery in plastic wrap; keep fingernails short; mandatory self-quarantine for staff who have traveled through seven eastern or southern Chinese cities, including Ningbo and Shenzhen; mandatory hourly hand-washing; and the removal of raw foods from the menu, even if it is not law. Stay clean!

If you're feeling sick these days, and you are running a temperature, it's necessary to visit an official fever clinic to get checked out. There are more than 60 around Shanghai, but we've listed and mapped the 20+ clinics in Huangpu, Jing'an and Xuhui districts. Click here to see that map. To see how to get to it in the app, hit the jump. Read on

You may have noticed we’ve been quiet the last few days, right at the time that so much has been happening with the coronavirus outbreak. That’s intentional. SmartShanghai is not a news site, and we don’t have any new information to add to this critical public conversation; the reporting is best left to the reporters. Also, we don’t want to add to the media feeding frenzy. The constant updates that bounce around the echo chamber make us all more afraid to leave our houses and take off our masks. We believe strongly in reading a mix of local and international news to get both the official news and the official stance — Shine and China Daily provide those — along with these international news outlets for a different perspective. Besides that, you might want to keep up on what your country, or some countries, are saying in their China travel advisory. As of Friday afternoon, 31 January, the US has set its travel advisory at Level 4, or Red, the highest level, and warned against any travel to China. The US Center for Disease Control recommends against all “non-essential” travel to China. Canada also says to avoid “non-essential travel” and suggests leaving if already in China. In the UK, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises “against all but essential travel” to China and also suggests leaving while there are still commercial flights. If you’re still here, like millions and millions of us who call Shanghai home and won't be flying out, take the CDC’s advice and remember to thoroughly wash your hands several times a day and be aware of touching your nose, eyes or mouth. We’ll have more to say in the coming days, as we get out and around the city to see what the rest of you are doing and how you’re coping. TTYL, Shanghai.

A number of venues around Shanghai are beginning to close indefinitely due to the ongoing fear over the nationwide spread of coronavirus. Among the closures: Disney and Disney Town, which announced on its website it will close from today until the local authorities give them "confirmation" to re-open; in Beijing, the Forbidden City, according to The New York Times; and in Shanghai, nightclubs JZ in Found158, TAXX, Space Plus, Elevator, ASL and the newly opened Beehive; Jade Buddha Temple, the Pearl Tower, the Shanghai Museum, pretty much all of the opera and dramatic arts centers, the Shanghai Zoo, Fuxing Park and Yu Gardens. Expect these measures to trickle down to shopping malls, street-side businesses and other places people gather in the coming days. If you purchased a ticket to any of the venues on SmartTicket, please rest assured we will begin processing refunds as soon as we are back in the office on February 3 February 10.

Important info for when things happen, and they always do: Shanghai United Family Hospital, which is probably best known for its maternity ward and its 24/7 international-standard emergency room, has moved from its old Xianxia Lu location to this new 20,000 square meter facility at 699 Pingtang Lu. They say they have outgrown the old one. Mark this down. If you have a medical emergency, SUFH is not the only place to go (there are lots of local ERs and now a sparkling new Jiahui Hospital in Xuhui), but it’s one of them, and it’s not where it used to be. Other outpatient clinics, like the Quankou Lu one, remain open as usual. And then over in Pudong, SinoUnited has opened a sports rehab center. They say it’s in response to the high number of runners and amateur athletes in the area (the area being Century Park, which is indeed a big running destination), and their thing is trying to fix problems without surgery. If you’ve ever bruised or torn an ACL, you can appreciate this approach. Both facilities are open now.

Hey, people who like to save money! We've got some exclusive SmartTicket deals for you on things to make you more handsome, more relaxed and less bushy. First up is the barbershop super deal on a men's haircut and barber's shave for 298rmb at China Lion in Jing'an, which comes with a glass of whiskey (or beer or coffee, but come on). For ladies, there's a similar (?) hair maintenance deal, though a lot more painful: three Brazilian waxing sessions for 930rmb at Strip's Wulumuqi Lu shop. Once you're all trimmed, jump into the floatation tanks at Floatasian for an hour's gravity-free soak (20% off) or move over to Subconscious Day Spa on Fumin Lu for an hourlong Chinese massage (299rmb). Still not enough? See all our deals right here. Happy savings!

Those of you with aching backs and sore feet may have found this out already: it's becoming increasingly hard to get a massage in downtown Shanghai. Even if you are able to find a place offering legitimate body massages (increasingly difficult) or even just a foot massage, the odds are high you will only be served by a masseuse of the same sex as you. What's going on? We called 10 massage parlors around the city to find out. Read on

Last Sunday, while Shanghai was experiencing the hottest early April in 1873 years, I took an ice bath for the first time. Buckets of ice cubes floated in the tub. Seconds after I stepped in, I thought my feet would fall off. I stormed out — as quickly as one could while in the water — and decided it was too much for me. Read on

A new branch of Capoeira Mandinga opens in People's Square, doling out free trials for anyone interested in the fine art of dance-fighting. This weekend, UP Clinic offers free recovery treatment to marathon runners, V Spot's hosting a burlesque class, and nakedHub has free workouts Read on

You've used up your free trial and have seen how the other half lives, now's your chance to get back in there with 11/11 discounts. This weekend will bring promotions at Shanghai's favorite boutique studios like Body Blacksmith and Pilates ProWorks, as well as discounted facials and wellness stuff in-between. Read on

Yoga in the morning at Moka Bros, yoga in the evening with Green Initiatives. Lots of yoga. Also on this week, Boss Lady and Lizzy's All Natural host a Leader's Summit and more! Read on

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Jiahui International Hospital is doling out 500 free mammograms. Just like a lot of things that are good for you, a mammogram is no picnic, but is the best preventative measure in detecting early signs of breast cancer. Jiahui in Yangpu is offering free screenings to women most at risk: those forty and older. Sign up here for an appointment, all you need is your passport number. This promotion will be running until the end of October.

A few reasons to dance just came up, including a weekly "free-form" dance class and a new ballet studio offering classical training to beginners. Plus a workshop on the ins and outs of MMA, part-time trainer gigs and more. Read on