Public SHOULD wear face-masks says BMA, despite official government advice that there’s no need
- British Medical Association is calling on the Government to issue face masks
- Chairman of BMA council said key workers should be provided face coverings
- The public should wear masks too as it ‘may help’ fight coronavirus, BMA said
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
The general public should wear face masks, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said, despite previous government advising against their widespread use.
Wearing face coverings in public is not yet compulsory, but ministers are considering recommendations made by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) following a review of current advice.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the BMA council, is calling on the Government to ask all members of the public to cover their mouths and noses when going outside.
Current official guidance has emphasised the importance of masks for doctors and nurses – but does not suggest widespread usage.
Earlier this week it was reported that Britons would be urged to cover their faces with scarves to prevent the spread of coronavirus – because the Government could not guarantee them a mask.
Now Dr Nagpaul has now told the Telegraph that authorities must pursue ‘all avenues’ of reducing the spread of the virus.
The BMA cited ’emerging evidence’ that covering mouths and noses ‘may help’ in the fight against coronavirus (pictured: Battersea Park, London, March 28)
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the BMA council, is calling on the Government to ask all members of the public to cover their mouths and noses when going outside
‘This includes asking the public to wear face coverings to cover mouths and noses when people leave home for essential reasons,’ he said.
Dr Nagpaul said the doctors’ union believes all key workers outside of the NHS – including transport workers, shopkeepers, carers and supermarket staff who cannot social distance – should be provided masks or suitable face coverings.
He added that until ‘sufficient supplies of PPE are provided’ to the front line, this may initially mean members of the public wearing cloth masks and scarves.
‘Common sense tells you that a barrier between people must offer a level of protection, however small,’ Dr Nagpaul said.
The BMA cited ’emerging evidence’ that covering mouths and noses ‘may help’ in the fight against coronavirus.
It comes amid revelations that:
- Everyone entering the UK will be forced to quarantine for a fortnight – under plans being drawn up by the Government
- Ministers have ordered production of up to 50 million new immunity tests as part of a ‘game-changing’ development in the battle against Covid-19
- Boris Johnson prepares to go back to work in Downing Street tomorrow, having told aides that he is ‘raring to go’
- The UK death toll passed 20,000 yesterday – up by 813 in 24 hours, and
- Retail bosses have been advised to consider closing or restricting access to toilets and changing rooms, restrict the number of shoppers and limit or remove customer seating
Wearing a mask or face covering in public is not yet compulsory, but ministers are considering recommendations made by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (pictured: London Fields, east London, April 24)
The coronavirus lockdown continued into its fifth weekend and the Government faced calls for greater transparency over the scientific advice given to ministers on the outbreak
Among those calling for a change to the advice is London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said it will add ‘another layer of protection’ to members of the public against the disease.
The government has previously said there is no strong evidence wearing a mask in public would help shield the general population from the virus – but the subject would be kept under constant review.
Scientific advisers for the Government have carried out a review of the use of face masks, despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) saying that there is no evidence to support their use by the general population.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the Cabinet was told on Thursday that the recommendations of Sage had been submitted for ministers to consider.