WHO calls on nations to encourage the public to wear fabric face masks where coronavirus is spreading

The World Health Organization is now calling for nations to encourage the general public to wear fabric masks in areas where there continues to be intense spread of the novel coronavirus -- and for all health workers and caregivers to wear medical masks throughout their shift while in clinical areas.

These updated recommendations, announced on Friday, are a shift from what WHO previously advised on masks, which was to not wear them if you are not sick or not caring for someone who is sick, in an effort to keep masks available for health workers.

"In areas with widespread transmission, WHO advises medical masks for all people working in clinical areas of a health facility, not only workers dealing with patients with Covid-19," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a media briefing in Geneva on Friday.

"Second, in areas with community transmission, we advise that people aged 60 years or over, or those with underlying conditions, should wear a medical mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible," Tedros said, and third, "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."

Tedros added that the new guidance was updated based on evolving evidence.

"Our updated guidance contains new information on the composition of fabric masks, based on academic research requested by WHO," Tedros said.

Ref: BBC, BI & CNN