Last Friday, we reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) was looking at recommending people wear face masks in public, based on new evidence that suggested it helped contain the pandemic in some Asian countries.
This week, the WHO has held off on the recommendation. In updated guidance on Monday, the organisations said while masks can help to limit the spread of the virus, they are insufficient on their own and other measures should also be adopted such as good hand hygiene and social distancing.
The advice states that people with coronavirus symptoms should wear a face mask, self-isolate and seek medical advice as soon as they start to feel unwell, while carers should wear a face mask when they are in the same room.
Information that may be of use when speaking to staff about the use of PPE.
