World Health Organisation updates guidance on face masks

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Sunday it recommends governments to ask citizens to wear fabric face masks in public in hopes of reducing the spread of coronavirus, updated guidance released by the WHO states, Reuters reported.

Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead expert on coronavirus, told Reuters the Organisation is specifically recommending a fabric face mask because it is a non-medical mask.

Earlier, the WHO has said there was not enough evidence in support or against the use of face masks, though the Organisation has always recommended them for someone who is sick or who is caring for that person, Reuters reported.

The WHO continues to recommend that all healthcare workers dealing with patients who have been diagnosed with or are suspected of having coronavirus should wear medical masks, Reuters added. However, the WHO now recommends that any staff member in contact with patients or residents in clinics, hospitals, care homes, or long-term facilities should also wear masks at all times.