Covid face masks RETURN in new advice from World Health Organisation

Covid face masks RETURN in new advice from World Health Organisation
Aaron Chown
George McMillan

By George McMillan


Published: 16/01/2023

- 13:00

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:22

New Covid strains have surged across the world as China dropped its restrictions, releasing new strains into the rest of the population

Covid face masks are set to make a return as the World Health Organisation releases new advice.

The virus has spread rapidly through the world yet again after the mass lifting of restrictions in China.


Members of the public wearing masks at Westminster Station on the London Underground circle line. No 10 has stressed that it is %22not compulsory%22 to wear a mask while ill after a Cabinet minister said it was %22sensible%22 to do so if travelling. Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), issued advice on Monday saying adults should %22wear a face covering%22 if they have to leave the house while feeling unwell. Picture date: Wednesday January 4, 2023.
The WHO have suggested people wear face masks in crowded areas
Aaron Chown

On top of this, the XBB.1.5 strain is expected to sweep across Europe in just weeks, as experts fear the strain is the most transmissible yet.

A study by the Nature Medicine journal predicted that the entire population of Beijing will have been infected by Covid.

That amounts to a staggering 22 million citizens.

In their attempt to curb the spread, the WHO has urged people to return to mask wearing if they are in crowded places, enclosed places, or places where there is poor ventilation.

PICTURE POSED BY MODEL File photo dated 08/01/22 of a person simulating taking a Covid 19 lateral flow test. There are no plans to introduce mandatory Covid tests for visitors from China, a UK Government spokesperson has said, after the US became the latest country to impose restrictions. The US joined Italy, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan in announcing new measures after the abrupt end of Beijing's zero-Covid policy sparked a surge in cases. Issue date: Wednesday December 28, 2022.
People who cannot get a Covid test will have to isolate for 10 days.
Danny Lawson

They have called on countries to consider recommending that passengers wear masks on long-haul flights too.

They have also recommended that patients who have symptoms of Covid but are not able to test, isolate for ten days .

If an individual tests negative they can leave isolation early.

Total Covid-19 infections in the UK fell at the start of the month, suggesting the current wave may have peaked – though levels have yet to start dropping in every part of the country.

There has also been an “encouraging” decrease in the number of patients in hospital with the virus according to experts.

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