Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

World Health Organization advises people to wear masks in public areas

World Health Organization advises people to wear masks in public areas
June 12, 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised that people should wear face masks in public where social distancing is not possible to help stop the spread of Coronavirus.

Having previously said there was not enough evidence to say that healthy people should wear masks, the global body said new information showed they could provide "a barrier for potentially infectious droplets".

However, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last Friday that "in light of evolving evidence, the WHO advises that governments should encourage the general public to wear masks where there is widespread transmission and physical distancing is difficult, such as on public transport, in shops or in other confined or crowded environments".

The WHO had always advised that medical face masks should be worn by people who are sick and by those caring for them.

Globally, there have been 6.7 million confirmed coronavirus cases and nearly 400,000 deaths since the outbreak began late last year, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the USA.

The organisation said its new guidance had been prompted by studies over recent weeks.

Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead expert on COVID-19, told Reuters news agency the recommendation was for people to wear a "fabric mask - that is, a non-medical mask".

The WHO advises that fabric masks should consist of "at least three layers of different material" in order to be effective.

At the same time, the WHO stressed that face masks were just one of a range of tools that could be used to reduce the risk of transmission - and that they should not give people a false sense of protection, with Dr Tedros adding "masks on their own will not protect you from Covid-19".

This is a big shift in the WHO's guidance on when the public should cover their faces. For months, the organization's experts stuck to the line that masks would encourage a false sense of security and would deprive medical professionals of badly needed protective equipment.

Some countries already recommend or mandate face coverings in public.

Related Articles

11th June 2020 - World Tourism Organization provides global resources for industry restart

11th June 2020 - Anantara Spas reopen with enhanced hygiene measures and immune-boosting initiatives

10th June 2020 - Fitness Australia releases new industry code of ethics

10th June 2020 - ESSA urges a considered return to the gym

9th June 2020 - Quayclean to ensure health of venue attendees when AFL season re-starts

9th June 2020 - Director General of Health signs off on New Zealand Events Sector Voluntary Code

8th June 2020 - Deakin’s Global Obesity Centre reconfirmed as world-leading research centre by WHO

8th June 2020 - New Zealand Government lifts all internal Coronavirus restrictions

5th June 2020 - Global Wellness Institute collaborates with the Vatican on ‘Resetting the World with Wellness’

5th June 2020 - Singapore prepares for swimming pool openings as Coronavirus restrictions eased

4th June 2020 - Belgravia Leisure survey reinforces focus on health and safety when more facilities reopen

3rd June 2020 - Queensland’s Chief Health Officer approves Fitness Australia’s COVIDSafe industry plan

1st June 2020 - Global Wellness Day 2020 to be celebrated through 24-hour live stream

29th May 2020 - Study tracks post-Coronavirus attractions re-openings in China

27th May 2020 - Singapore’s Coronavirus easing will not include gyms and sport facilities

15th May 2020 - Latest resources on Coronavirus easing

4th May 2020 - ASEAN nations agree tourism cooperation efforts amid Coronavirus pandemic

24th April 2020 - Play Australia highlights children’s health matters to World Health Organization

20th April 2020 - Wellness Solutions launches Wellness Lounge technology

31st January 2020 - Coronavirus declared global health emergency by World Health Organization

5th September 2018 - World Health Organization advises that lack of exercise puts one in four people at risk

22nd August 2018 - Google Fit update incorporates World Health Organization activity goals

4th June 2018 - World Health Organization launches Global Action Plan on Physical Activity