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Doctors Call for Mandatory Masks in Offices and Outside

Following the latest finding and advice from the British Medical Association, doctors have advised that face masks should be mandatory indoors and outdoors, where it’s not possible to follow the two-metre social distancing rule.

The British Medical Association criticised the government for its “inconsistent messaging” and for “letting down its guard”. They claim the inconsistency since the government lifted lockdown had played a part in the resurgence of the virus.

British Medical Association on COVID Measures

The BMA’s recommendations include:

- Modifying the current “Rule of Six’ with the rule that only two households can meet, and those should not exceed six people, ideally outdoors rather than indoors

 - Making the wearing of face masks mandatory in all offices and working environments, unless you are working alone

 - Making people wear masks in all outdoor settings where two metre distancing is not possible

 - Providing financial support to businesses, retail and hospitality settings to enable them to make premises Covid secure and provide clear rules on what Covid secure means

- Providing medical grade masks, free of charge, to those who are over 60 or in a vulnerable group, as recommended by the World Health Organisation

 - Providing masks free of charge to those who are exempt from prescription charges and also at the entrance to all public settings if a person has not brought one

The point about masks was backed by Professor Calum Semple, an expert in outbreak medicine at the University of Liverpool and a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.

He told Sky News: "At the start of the outbreak, we didn't really understand much about this virus and nobody else did, but we now appreciate the importance of face coverings and masks in an indoor environment, particularly where ventilation cannot be guaranteed.

"In reality, if you're outside walking your dog on your own and you're many metres away from other people then wearing a mask is making no difference.

"But if you're in a city centre shopping precinct, or you're queueing outside the shops then yes, you should be wearing a mask."

After careful consideration of the latest scientific evidence from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), the government confirmed face coverings can help reduce the risk of transmission in some circumstances.

Use Face Masks to Help Slow Spread of COVID-19

Face coverings can help us protect each other and reduce the spread of the disease if you are suffering from coronavirus but not showing symptoms. People with coronavirus symptoms, as well as members of their household, should continue to follow the advice to self-isolate.

The public is being strongly urged not to purchase surgical masks or respirators. These are prioritised for healthcare workers working in more high-risk environments where the risk is greatest.

COVID-19 can be spread directly by droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking. These droplets can also be picked up from surfaces by touch and subsequently from touching the face. That is why hand hygiene is so important in controlling the infection.

Evidence shows a face covering can help in reducing the spread of droplets and therefore potentially infecting others, and could help to reduce the spread of infection as lockdown measures start to be lifted. It is important people refrain from touching their face covering when wearing it, where possible, to avoid hand to mask transmission of the virus.

Buying a reusable mask is a cost-effective way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, alongside other precautions like regularly washing and sanitizing your hands.