The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday changed its position on masks, now encouraging people to wear them in crowded places, citing anecdotal evidence that supports their value in stopping the spread of the coronavirus.
The World health body has updated guidance on wearing facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging their use in crowded situations in places where the new coronavirus is widespread.
“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,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
The WHO says the widespread use of face masks or coverings by the general public is still not yet supported by high quality or direct scientific evidence, but a growing amount of observational evidence from several countries is enough for it to change its advice.
