Brits should wear face coverings in public spaces where social distancing is not always possible, Boris Johnson’s government has announced. That advice had already been recommended by the governments in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The UK government on Monday May 11th confirmed that it was advising people to wear face coverings as part of the country’s “road map” out of the coronavirus lockdown.
Up until Monday the UK government had resisted following governments of other countries which have already advised its people to wear face coverings when outside of their homes.
The Advice States that as more people return to work, in turn creating greater movement outside of a person’s immediate household a form of facial covering should be worn. Sir Patrick Vallance the UK’s chief scientific advisor said there had been a “long debate about the efficacy of face coverings” but that coverings can “reduce the probability” of the disease being transmitted by a person. “If we can use a face covering that may reduce the probability of transmitting onwards, were recommending
that people use a face covering on their nose and mouth when they have close contact which they cannot avoid in a closed space”
Transport for London on Monday said “face coverings should be worn on all Tubes and buses in order fight the spread of the coronavirus”. The covering should be worn when coming into contact with people not normally met such as on public transport or in shops.