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THE BRITISH public are to be told to wear face masks at work and on public transport after scientists told the Government they COULD help stop the spread of coronavirus.
Experts have passed on research showing that coverings could help to stop "asymptomatic people" - those who are infected but not showing symptoms - from passing on the disease.
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The guidance is set to say that those who can't stay more than 2m apart at work and on buses and trains should wear a cloth face mask, such as a homemade mask, scarf or other non-surgical covering to help slow the spread of the virus.
Experts from SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) met yesterday to consider key evidence.
Ministers are expected to study the findings over the next few days before making the decision public and changing official guidance.
It's believed that the experts think face coverings won't help stop Brits from catching the virus themselves, but could help in stopping them spread it to others.
A Whitehall source told The Sun: "No decision is going to be made which would take medical masks away from the NHS.
"Everybody is very clear on that."
However, there are fears that changing advice on masks may mean sick Brits venture outside instead of staying isolated in their homes.
The source said: "Experts are clear that this is not substitution for isolation.
"If people have any symptoms, they must stay at home."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said of changes to mask guidance this lunchtime: "We will follow the advice and listen to what SAGE says on masks and implement that."
But he said that the Government would not be handing them out at scale.
He added: "I can’t promise we will give everybody free masks - that would be an extraordinary undertaking - and we have to make sure we have supplies available especially for health and care staff."
No10 refused to comment "on what SAGE’s advice to ministers is".
The PM's spokesperson added: "Once they have considered it, we will announce what the way forward is going to be."
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They also believe that by branding them as "face coverings" - such as a scarf or homemade mask - will distinguish them from the surgical masks that doctors and nurses have to wear in hospitals.
Yesterday hospital bosses warned the Government not to recommend people wear these, or they should face shortages in the NHS.
Chief exec of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, Chris Hopson said: "Securing the supply of masks, when there is huge global demand, is crucial. This must be a key consideration.
"If the Government is going to consider advising the general public to wear facemasks it must fully assess the impact on the NHS."
It comes after weeks of debate from experts on whether face masks will have an effect on the spread of the virus or not.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said there is no evidence to support the use of face masks by the general population - and only people in health care settings should use them.
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What are the different types of face mask and how well do they work?
From dust masks to homemade coverings with cloth, there are a variety of protection methods popping up as people look for ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Here we take a look at some of the different types of face mask and how well they work...
N95 respirators
N95 masks are disposable face masks that are proven to filter the air to an industrial standard.
Manufacturers vary, but the N95 is a stamp from the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to show that it is efficient.
The 'N' stands for 'Not resistant to oil,' because the mask only protects against particles, not fluids while the '95' means it filters out 95 per cent of airborne particles.
They generally have an 8-hour shelf life before becoming clogged depending on the work you're doing.
As they offer so much protection, they are used by doctors and nurses in a medical setting.
However, they have not been recommended for use to the general public yet due to supply issues for health workers.
Surgical masks
These disposable 3-ply masks are fluid-resistant are the most common type of facial protection you'll see health care staff wearing.
They are used to prevent infected droplets from doctors, nurses and carers entering the respiratory system of the patient.
Although they don't have built-in air filters, they are considered effective enough for most staff outside of intensive care.
The nose clip can be bent to fit snugly around the nose however they are a loose fit and the material gapes at the sides so they don't protect against all particles.
When they become wet, their effectiveness is also reduced.
Also, they are disposable and are only intended to be worn once.
DIY dust masks (FFP)
Found in most hardware stores, dust masks can offer some level of protection from particles - if worn correctly.
If it says FFP1 then it’s a basic kind of dust mask and offers the lowest level of filtration for this kind of respirators mask.
To meet European standards, they have to be able to filter at least 80 per cent of particles - with FFP 3 filtering 99 per cent.
That means that it can’t filter out tiny particles associated with viruses and bacteria.
You can also get a FFP3 mask, which looks similar but has a small filter in the middle to catch almost all airborne particles.
Short of being a full gas mask, it offers the best protection - as long as it fits properly - and is more effective than an N95 as well as the FFP1 and FFP2.
Cycling masks
These are generally worn by cyclists to prevent them from breathing in pollution in heavy traffic.
Usually made from neoprene, they fit tightly to the face and are intended to offer a level of protection from airborne particles.
Some are also marketed as N95, or N99 grade, which means the amount of filtered airborne particles is either 95 or 99 per cent.
Homemade masks
As many people can't get their hands on a mask, some have turned to fashioning their own.
There have been tips on using vacuum cleaner bags and even sanitary towels to cover your face.
While most won't be as effective as anything you can buy in a store, they will offer more protection than not covering your face at all.
Research by Public Health England in 2013 looked at the suitability of household materials that could be used as maks to filter bacterial and viral aerosols and found vacuum bags actually worked well.
Experts say that you should aim for multiple layers - a double layer of tightly-woven cotton with a thread count of at least 180 was one of the best barriers, according to researchers in the US.
Even a bandana, scarf or T-shirt can be used to cover your nose and mouth while in public.
But earlier this week 100 top doctors called for the public to wear face coverings whenever they leave their home, piling pressure on scientists to change tack.
Americans in some states are being told to wear them when they go outside, and people in France will be given them when lockdown measures are eased in the coming weeks.
The German state of Saxony has made them compulsory in shops and on public transport, and Spain is giving them out to commuters.
Oxford University Professor Trish Greenhalgh, who has published evidence reviewing facemasks said they do help stop the spread of coronavirus.
She told The Times: "Your mask doesn’t protect you but it protects other people. A mask needs to be an item of clothing.
"It’s like a T-shirt, wear it and chuck it in the wash. Detergent kills Covid."
It is not yet clear how the rules - if they are changed - will be enforced.
Police have taken a tough stance on enforcing social distancing rules so far which are part of the new laws - but this guidance may fall outside of that.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Labour boss Sir Keir Starmer, and former PM Tony Blair have both added their voices to the calls for facial coverings and masks.
Ministers have been considering for weeks whether to change advice, but have insisted they will be guided by the science.
Teachers have also warned they may not go back to school without masks or other PPE to protect them.
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Tony Blair warns that people will only get back to work if made to wear masks